Dogviolet – “Violets” // Debut Single

“Violets” is the debut single from London post-punkers Dogviolet. The newcomers, along with their influences that includes The Cranberries, Warpaint and Wolf Alice, channel Mother Nature to tell stories spanning social injustice, familial challenges and the power of community. Leading to songwriting that lends itself nicely to their blend of 90s Grunge and Rock.

“Violets is my experience of growing up as a queer teenager and having a strange, close friendship with my best friend – I feel it’s an experience shared by many queer women,” explains Naz, frontperson and songwriter of the band. “Neither of us was brave or mature enough to voice our feelings directly and the song is a journey of questioning that relationship, ending with the realisation that those feelings were real and reciprocated.”

To introduce yourself with a song that carries such a personal topic is impressive in its own right, but its with this vulnerability that it’s easy to connect with “Violets”. Its instrumental floods the ears with a moody aesthetic; drums beat relentlessly into the background, while gothic melodies and distorted chords are conjured to slip into the mind with ease. The repeated “All of these violets” that lasts throughout sounds really drives the message to the forefront, which is enhanced by the passion and sadness that emits from Naz’s vocals.

It’s an effective listen, one that doesn’t move the tempo because it doesn’t need to. The lyrics make enough of an impact on their own, and the song does a great job at setting the atmosphere from the start, and at building the tension towards its dramatic close. “Violets” is a great song, one that definitely makes a good first impression. Dogviolet have certainly landed on my radar, and I’m excited to hear what’s to come from them next.

Dogviolet is comprised of Naz Toorabally (songwriter, lead vocals, guitar) Ella Patenall (producer, lead guitar, vocals), Lauren Allpress (drums) and Brodie McBride (bass). A zine has also been released for the song (which is pretty cool). That is available to purchase on the band’s Bandcamp page.