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 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 chatted with Kayla Renelle of San Jose’s Voluntary Hazing who discusses how Doll Fest creates a safe space for those in attendance to express their femininity and to be themselves. And she shares the very important reminder that femmes, queers, POC, all belong in punk, in music, and anywhere they want to be! 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?
Being on Doll Fest means the absolute world. This lineup is INCREDIBLE, and to see our band’s name listed amongst the other bands’ names… well, it’s a bit surreal. We’ve played a number of shows where I’m the only woman or femme on the lineup, so it feels really good to be in this kind of company.
How does playing a festival like this shift the energy—on stage or in the crowd?
Whenever we play or attend a show where femmes are present and taking center stage, it feels safer. I feel safer to be myself and lean into my femininity on stage, and I physically feel safer and more trusting in a crowd.
What would you want a younger version of yourself to feel seeing this lineup?
I know 5-year-old Kayla would be in awe and would feel so empowered. That’s the age where I decided I wanted to be a singer, after watching Kelly Clarkson on American Idol. But especially as a teenager, if I was able to see a festival of so many femme punk musicians rocking their hearts out, I think it would have made my young music dreams feel more plausible. I think it would have given me more confidence earlier on.
What does “taking up space” look like for you as a femme musician?
For me, taking up space is the act of grabbing a microphone and singing my thoughts, feelings and stories through it. This statement feels a little dramatic, but that act simultaneously makes me feel vulnerable and invulnerable.
Who are some femme artists—past or present—who have inspired you or paved the way?
In addition to Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato was a favorite of mine as a kid. And when my neighbor shared Paramore’s Riot! with me when I was about 10 years old, I became a pop-punk fanatic. Hayley Williams and Paramore led me to We Are the In Crowd, Against the Current and Marina and the Diamonds. I looked up to Jess Bowen (The Summer Set) and Elaine Bradley (Neon Trees), who are the drummers in their respective bands. And Halsey continues to be a big inspiration for me — I think The Great Impersonator is my favorite album of the last few years.
How does your lived experience show up in your lyrics or live performance?
My lived experience as a woman shows up in a few different ways in my writing. For example, in “Reciprocate Some,” I wrote about pursuing music, and that I can take criticism and rejection of my music “like a lady.” Ultimately I hold the keys to my own fate. Whether I quit or keep going is up to me, and I choose to move forward without squabbling and with my head held high.
My lyrics are playing on the notion that this choice is “ladylike” in the cliche sense, in that it’s supposedly polite. But this choice is also resilient, and that’s the second and truer meaning of “ladylike” in this song, especially in the context of male-dominated spaces like punk and music in general. Femme and queer folks in these spaces are SO resilient, even just by existing in them. (So I’m turning this into a reminder for any femmes and queer folks reading this: You belong in punk, music, anywhere you want to be. The world is better with you in it. Keep going!)
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?
Family Obligation! Another San José band. They’re spunky and so much fun in a live show. They’re also good and kind human beings.
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