Last year, a new festival held their first event in the Bay Area in California. Doll Fest describes itself as “a celebration of the feminine energy, friendship, and community gathering together in support of one another.” This year, Doll Fest is back! Volume II will be held THIS WEEKEND in Oakland, CA on March 28th and 29th with a pre-party on the 27th. And the lineup this year is just as jaw dropping and inspiring as the last.
We wanted to get in on the action, so we’ve asked the amazing bands a handful of questions about the festival including who they’re stoked to be playing with and what they think a festival of this caliber means to our scene.
We spoke with Sandrushka Petrova of Descartes a Kant about femme freedom, riot grrrl legacy, and what it means to perform in a space where vulnerability, experimentation, and risk are met with safety instead of judgment. She reflects on turning pain into art, creating music as both healing and resistance, and why Doll Fest feels less like a festival and more like a ritual of empowerment. Check out the interview below and grab your tickets to Doll Fest today!
Interview
What does playing a femme-only festival like Doll Fest mean to you personally?
We met Maria a few years ago and we started the conversation about playing Doll Fest a while ago so we are so excited it is finally happening! It means a lot to be part of a community that celebrates and empowers femme artists. We just played in the México city’s edition so I’m hoping to be surprised for the California one!
How does playing a festival like this shift the energy—on stage or in the crowd?
I guess that knowing that the stage and audience are femme-dominated creates a sense of safety and freedom. It’s a space where we can experiment, take risks, and be vulnerable without fear of judgment. I’m really hopping for an unforgettable experience for everyone involved in this femme ritual!
What would you want a younger version of yourself to feel seeing this lineup?
I grew up loving and reading all about the riot girl movement in the 90s and it is a personal dream to be part of something that involved female artists and spaces like this where I can thrive and be celebrated for our role in the musical sphere.
What does “taking up space” look like for you as a femme musician?
Taking up space means owning my voice, my story, and my presence on stage, and uncompromising in my art, and creating a space for others to do the same and scream it all out. We are going through difficult times as humanity and we really want to send a message of hope and support for everyone out there.
Who are some femme artists—past or present—who have inspired you or paved the way
There are so many, I mostly consume female artist music, I love the weirdos like St Vincent, Bjork, Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Kate Bush, Lori Anderson, Cibo Matto, Deerhoof, Mitski, Soko, The Breeders, Veruca Salt, L7, Sonic Youth, Yeah Yeah Yeahs have been huge inspirations.
Also new bands like Water From Your Eyes, Wombo, Smerz and Noga Erez! I have a special mention for the work of Rosalía, I have so much respect for the way she is innovating and shaping contemporary music, she is at the moment one of my top composers, producers and performers of all times!
How does your identity influence your music, performance style, or the stories you tell?
I guess that the music I write is a reflection of my experiences, mu vulnerability of experiencing life through this body and this context. I’ve noticed through years it has helped me heal and inform my own trauma, hahaha. So yeah, I transform my pain into art and that’s how I get through life, it’s better than any therapy I’ve had, so that’s kinda my brand now! “Turning your pain into a work of arte has never been easier”
What is one local or regional band near you that you want the whole world to know about and want them to play Doll Fest?
Grave/mal from Guadalajara! I’d love to see them play Doll Fest!
Have you experienced moments where being a femme artist shaped how you were received in the music scene?
Unfortunately, yes. And that would be a long conversation by itself, but it is very common that people in this industry treats you like you are not skilled enough to play at certain stages or open for certain bands or festivals, there is still musical misogyny going on : /
I feel like as a women in the music field you always have to prove 5 times more you are worthy, that you really can play guitar, sing and write the music of your songs, or that you have any talent in general.
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