In just a few weeks, the Bay Area will be hosting the inaugural Doll Fest. The two day festival will take place at the Cornerstone in Berkeley, CA and is “a celebration of the feminine energy, friendship, and community gathering together in support of one another.”
The lineup is a jaw dropping list of rad bands all with a femme energy to them along with multi-genre artists. Doll Fest will feature artists such as The Iron Roses, The Darts, Tsunami Bomb, Dog Party, Naked Aggression, and many more on March 1st and 2nd along with a pre-show party on February 28th.
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 chatted with Maria Xeno, the vocalist of San Francisco-based hardcore band HUMANHEAD. Check out our interview below and grab your tickets to Doll Fest now via their website here!
Interview
Tell us a little about yourself and why you’re excited to play Doll Fest.
We’re HUMANHEAD, a hardcore punk band based in San Francisco. Our sound is a chaotic yet melodic blend of heavy music, rooted in grungy alt-rock and hardcore punk. We’re beyond excited to play Doll Fest because it aligns with our values of creating spaces where people can connect, feel heard, and express themselves freely and we can’t wait to bring our energy to such a meaningful event
Which bands are you most stoked to see or play alongside?
It’s tough to choose because the lineup is stacked! I’m always inspired by bands that share a passion for raw, unapologetic music and I’m excited to discover new artists.
How has the Oakland music scene or Bay Area culture influenced your sound/creative process?
The Bay Area music scene is a melting pot of genres and cultures that inspires our sound. The DIY community and ethic keeps us true to ourselves, encouraging us to carve our own path rather than fit into expectations
How do you see events like Doll Fest contributing to greater representation and empowerment of women in the music industry?
Doll Fest creates space for femme artists to shine and fosters a sense of belonging and inspiration for the next generation. It’s about breaking down barriers and proving that representation is essential to the growth and evolution of music as a whole.
What unique challenges have you (or your bandmates) faced as female/femme musicians, and how have you/they overcome them?
Fortunately, the Bay Area music scene is diverse and welcoming. I feel supported as a musician—not because of my gender, but for what I bring to the table. About a decade ago, I fronted a different punk band while living in the Midwest. There, in a mostly male-dominated scene, I did face bias and skepticism about my abilities. I often felt I had to work harder to be taken seriously in spaces that didn’t feel inclusive. Over time, I learned to channel those frustrations into music and let our performances speak for themselves. Building community with other femme and non-binary musicians has been key to overcoming those challenges—it’s about lifting each other up.
What message do you hope to convey to your audience through your performance at Doll Fest?
Our message is simple: Feel it all. Be unapologetic in your emotions, your experiences, and your truth. Music can be a transformative experience, and we hope to give the audience space to tap into that. At the end of the day, it’s about finding connection with ourselves, with each other, and with the world around us.
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