DOWNGIRL Break Down Their Debut EP 'Manic' Track By Track

A grunge-punk band from Sydney who emerged during the COVID era, DOWNGIRL recently released their debut EP 'Manic' and in the process, proved themselves one of the most potent forces in the alternative scene.

Sultry yet menacing alt rock that bristles with a punk edginess alongside raw, socially-conscious lyrics, 'Manic' showcases a band adept at harnessing the fierceness of '90s riot grrl alongside a bruising modern take of femme-punk.

"'Manic' is a collection of songs composed during the COVID lockdown and later, in the rehearsal studio," shares the band.

"It tracks our little journey from our beginnings in the bedroom through to now where we seem to be spending half of our lives on the stage.

"We tried to capture our live energy on the EP by recording the rhythm beds live. The final song was actually done in one take!"



Adds Lou Harbidge: "The title, 'Manic'. . . we chose it as it encapsulates our state of being when the band was in its infancy.

"This EP is a diary, charting our progress from our beginnings in the bedroom when we were physically separated to now, being in each other's bloody pockets!"

Fiend

The song 'Fiend' delves into the intoxicating allure of a tumultuous relationship, where love is overshadowed by problematic behaviours and questionable decisions.

Despite the awareness of its toxicity and the underlying issues, both parties are drawn to the relationship like addicts because it provides a fleeting sense of euphoria and pleasure. This track captures the complex emotions and conflicts that arise when one becomes entangled in a love that is as destructive as it is compelling.

Manic

'Manic' was written during Sydney's last pandemic lockdown together back and forth going through all personal mental health issues via the WWW, taking responsibility for ones mental health during a time where we could only look at ourselves.

Drummer Skarlett herself opening up to ways of coping with bipolar in a pandemic and how others would feel expressing 'I'm a danger to myself more than you', and that no one is alone during these times.

 

 

 

 

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Body

'Body' narrates a personal experience of alcohol abuse and its ramifications. The lyrics navigate stages of denial, dependence, guilt and anger, overall illustrating the mental and physical pain of losing yourself to addiction at an alarming rate.

The verses depict a flaunted carelessness of one's mind and body, until an outburst of regret and resentment finally directs blame at the individual's kept company. Left feeling numb and still avoiding accountability, the song builds as anger continues to swell – now out of hopelessness – to then cathartically resolve in a final acceptance of one's self.

Beauty Queen

'Beauty Queen' represents unconventional femininity, playing homage to horror movie heroes like Carrie and 'Suspiria''s Suzy, who defy traditional gender roles of 'final girls' and 'scream queens'.

Musically influenced by '90s grunge and riot grrrls, the track is both aggressive and comforting, reflecting the spirit of the unconventional beauty queen it celebrates.

Democracy Manifest

'Democracy Manifest' was an attempt to capture nervous and excitable energy, that feeling when unease threatens to override confidence, you have your game-face on but inside you're about to burst. It was also an excuse to step on the RAT pedal and get a little fuzzy.

2006

Where The Bloody Hell Are You? was a Tourism Australia slogan used in 2006. We are exploiting the use of this slogan to reinforce the importance of recognising what land we still stand on.

'2006' takes aim at the politicians and people benefiting off the colonisation of Australia, including the injustices committed by the system that continues to negatively affect the lives of our Indigenous and First Nations people.

Boys

The song 'Boys' offers a straightforward critique of the enduring history of violence perpetuated by cisgender men. Whether these acts of violence stem from individual actions or societal structures they have created, the lyrics of 'Boys' aim to mock these harmful attitudes in a lighthearted manner.

Malibu Stacy

Just honestly a ridiculous song that came from a mixed bag of inspirations. It's a tongue-in-cheek song about Malibu Stacy, a fictional character who's 'Stacy's Mom' daughter who essentially personifies people who bully LGBTQA members, reflecting their own inner conflict with their own sexual identity.

DOWNGIRL 2023 Tour Dates

Sun 1 Oct - Off The Rails Festival (Sydney)* with Amyl And The Sniffers, The Mark Of Cain, Private Function
Sat 7 Oct - Melbourne Pier Festival* with Hope D