DOWNGIRL summon riot grrl energy with fiery debut single, 'Beauty Queen'

Gadigal Land, Eora Country (Sydney) has produced a fiery femme soul-punk act in DOWNGIRL, who combine nu-punk and classic 90s grunge sounds (think L7, Bikini Kill, Veruca Salt, Magic Dirt), and have come packing heat with their debut single, ‘Beauty Queen’.

‘Beauty Queen’ has the thick, dirty guitar tones one would associate with the mid-to-late 90s alt scene, coupled with riot grrl energy and attitude, with vocalist Alex Neville’s tone starting sullenly slacker, building throughout the track, with each verse and chorus turning it up until the climatic final chorus (coupled with mocking na na’s). The track also features the most outrageously rubbery, fuzzed-out bass, that just ups the ante on the f*** you appeal of ‘Beauty Queen’.

Being DOWNGIRL’s debut single, ‘Beauty Queen’ establishes the band as a raw and blaring force. Recorded at the beginning of 2022 at Bleus Studios and mastered by Jack the Bear, the song is an ode to horror movie heroes, Carrie and Suspiria’s Suzy, who defied the gendered roles of ‘final girls’ and ‘scream queens’. 

Vocalist Alex Neville says of the track, "Beauty Queen draws upon these pop culture references in celebration of unconventional femininity and challenges the notion that women can be written as one dimensional characters. Musically inspired by 90s grunge gods and riot grrlz, the track is attacking, gritty, yet reassuring, just like Beauty Queen herself."

Archibald-Prize winning Australian Artist Del Kathryn Barton contributed her piece 'Volcanic Woman' for the cover art of the band's first single. Barton's psychedelic fantasy work subverts portrayals of the reclining nude as often shown from the male gaze and compliments Beauty Queen’s subject matter - women’s bodies aren’t merely objects but subjects. Drummer Skarlett Saramore connected with Barton during the pandemic and chose this piece, her favourite of Barton's, for this Downgirl cover art. One resounding "Fuck yeah" later and the cover art deal was done. 

DOWNGIRL was born in the throes of the pandemic, spending its infancy in the cloud with members Skarlett Saramore (drums), Kristen Adams (vocals/lead guitar), Alex Neville (vocals/rhythm guitar) and Lou Harbidge (bass), sharing riffs, words, and beats online. These ideas spawned a diverse body of work, exploring central themes of equality, LGBTQIA+ issues, and mental health.

DOWNGIRL has since been freed from the cloud, taking a detour via the studio, and landing firmly on the stage where they belong, unleashing their loud and unapologetic performance on unsuspecting audiences. Their fusion of sludgy guitars, 90s inspired pop harmonies and straight-up-in-your-face punk, can be heard ringing out throughout pubs in their hometown, Sydney! 

‘Beauty Queen’ is out now on all digital platforms.

Catch DOWNGIRL out on tour in support of the new single - 

Friday March 25 in Sydney at Crowbar (supporting Fangz)
Saturday March 26 in Canberra at The Basement (supporting Fangz)
Wednesday March 30 in Sydney at Botany View (supporting Johnny Hunter)
Friday April 1 in Blue Mountains at Katoomba’s Baroque Room (supporting Fangz)
Saturday April 2 in Newcastle at Hamilton Station Hotel
Thursday April 7 in Sydney at the Sydney Art School
Friday April 15 at The Doomed Festival (Botany View, Sydney)
Sunday April 17 in Enmore at The Duke Hotel (Duke Femme Fest)
Friday April 29 in Melbourne  for the Bonez Queer Party.