French Vanilla

Drawing from the sharp edges of post-punk and the provocations of experimental theater, the Los Angeles outfit French Vanilla infused saxophone-driven art punk with vitality and cunning. Frequent roadwork helped the group refine its approach, while the 2018 follow-up How Am I Not Myself? delved into intimate and ideological concerns alike.

The quartet French Vanilla came together in the greater Los Angeles region in 2013, founded by vocalist Sally Spitz, guitarist and bassist Ali Day, drummer Greg Shilton, and bassist and saxophonist Daniel Trautfield. Early performances took place in the city’s DIY venues, where the members looked to storied outsider punk ensembles such as Essential Logic, the Waitresses, and Suburban Lawns to shape a taut yet rhythmic style. Danger Collective Records issued their debut self-titled album in 2017; relentless touring ensued, including bills alongside contemporaries Priests, Shopping, and Chastity Belt plus support dates for ESG and the Make-Up.

The group reemerged in 2019 with the sophomore album How Am I Not Myself?, once more on Danger Collective and helmed by Sean Cook, known for his production work with St. Vincent. High-velocity tracks on the record sustained the band’s engagement with questions of gender, female agency, and broader social unrest.