Dream Nails

Dream Nails, a British quartet, remain grounded in independent traditions as their raucous performances and advocacy for gender equality led to the 2020 arrival of their self-titled debut full-length.

Janey Starling (vocals) and Anya Pearson (guitars) launched the project in London during 2015 after first connecting through feminist causes, then recruited fellow activists Emmett Roberts (bass) and Judith Dawson (drums). The self-described “witch punk” group spreads its ideas inside the D.I.Y. punk and riot grrrl networks, citing early scene leaders Huggy Bear, Bikini Kill, and Skinned Teen as reference points.

In 2016 the band issued its inaugural single “Deep Heat” together with the self-released EP DIY, received an invitation to Glastonbury’s women-only Sisterhood stage, and replaced departing drummer Dawson with Lucy Katz. Their reputation for high-energy concerts secured support slots on Cherry Glazerr’s European dates the next year. Later in 2017 the quartet placed its second EP, Dare to Care, with French punk imprint Krod Records.

A period of strong live work, personnel adjustments (Mimi Jasson taking over bass from Roberts), and the self-released live acoustic set Take Up Space preceded the group’s 2019 signing to Alcopop!. Singles including “Text Me Back (Chirpse Degree Burns),” “Corporate Realness,” and “Payback” surfaced from late that year into 2020, culminating in the mid-year release of the debut album Dream Nails.