FRESH AS A DAISY: DAISYCHAIN’S DEBUT ALBUM OFFERS A NEW TAKE ON A CLASSIC SOUND
As a female-fronted band in the male-dominated landscape of modern psych-rock, Daisychain puts their femme-foot forward in their new debut album All In A Name released on June 27. The Chicago band formed in 2017 after Nickole Regala (vocals, bass) and Sophia Williams (rhythm guitar, vocals) met at a blues open mic night and bonded over their love of 70’s psych-rock and blues — and being the only two women in attendance. After inviting lead guitarist Frankie Sripada along for the ride, Daisychain was formed, in addition to a tight-knit friendship within the group.
Graphic by Paige Firsten (Crave Music Magazine)
For All In A Name, the trio teamed up with renowned producer Sylvia Massy who has previously worked with names such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tool and Prince to create a dynamic, versatile and fresh reinvention of a classic rock ’n’ roll sound featuring woodwinds, chimes and pump organs. All In A Name is a fierce and robust summer soundtrack that is difficult to forget.
The album’s opening packs a punch with the track “Shadowfax,” where Regala and Williams’ haunting harmonies glide over Sripada’s howling guitar. The track feels like both a lullaby and a spell as Regala and Williams echo the refrain “All in a name / I call it,” setting the title and the tone for the album.
The darkness of “Shadowfax” is immediately contrasted by the sunny, vibrant track “G-string” that follows. "G-String” seamlessly blends catchy pop-inspired melodies with a lead guitar reminiscent of The Velvet Underground. Buoyant and breezy, “G-String” is an ode to the merry mayhem of female friendship, with cheeky lyrics like “She wears the same size shoe as me and you like that / And she wears the same size G-string” that are so contagious and leave the listener singing them for the rest of the week. Pop-inspired tracks like “G-string” and “Waste Your Time” are sprinkled through the album show off Daisychain’s versatility as well as Massy’s ability to flawlessly synthesize various influences like alchemy, resulting in a sound that is both referential and fresh, as well as a listening experience that keeps you on your toes.
“Eve” is another standout from the album, offering up an energetic rock-and-roll sound with a punk attitude. Instead of the smooth, ethereal harmonies featured throughout the album, in this track Daisychain is chanting.
“I don’t care if it’s blasphemy / I don’t care what you ask of me / I won’t carve your name on no stone,” Regala and Williams chant.
This punk attitude is carried to the next track, “Rivers,” with a bluesy twist and a classic heavy guitar – think Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones – that crashes on the shore of Regala’s pulsating bassline. Sripada’s guitar is in conversation with Williams’ vocal, answering the question asked in the refrain of the song: “Whatcha want her to say?”
In “The Sound of You” and “Mama,” Daisychain hits a more vulnerable and reflective note. Coming off the high tides of “Rivers,” “The Sound of You” is a soft, tender break-up track, reminiscent of No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak,” with a pipe organ that gives it a unique flair. The vocal stands out on this track, Regala beautifully crooning, “And I don’t wanna hear our song on the radio / I just wanna hold your hand again” with a wistful, heartbroken tone.
Daisychain transports the listener to the 70s in psych-rock tracks “Get High With Me” and “Let Me Down Easy.” The former is a fun, danceable, light track with a funky, groovy psychedelic guitar and a conversational vocal. “Let Me Down Easy” is a mellow guitar-driven track featuring raw lyricism that asks the subject, “Do you think you would falter / At the hand of god himself?”
The album concludes with the fiery “Kerosene Lover,” returning to the haunting sound of “Shadowfax” and tying the record up in a neat bow. Starting gentle and melodic, “Kerosene Lover” builds up to a dramatic climax, Sripada’s fuzzy guitar swirling up in flames, a siren blaring in the background, as Regala and Williams chant, casting a spell on the listener. The song ends with an electrifying guitar solo before the flames are put out, leaving the listener wanting more.
Those wanting more Daisychain are in luck as the band will be touring throughout the Midwest this July and then moving through Germany, Denmark and Austria this fall.
Grab tickets to see Daisychain live: here.
Listen to All In A Name available on all streaming services and keep up with Daisychain:
Website / Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram / Tiktok / Youtube
