Upset

Formed in the vein of grunge-tinged pop from the 1990s, Upset came together through Ali Koehler, formerly the drummer for both Vivian Girls and Best Coast, alongside Patty Schemel, Hole’s well-known percussionist. The pair shaped a style that carried grunge’s drive yet featured softer vocals and lyrics marked by playful introspection. Their first full-length effort, She’s Gone, appeared in 2013; six years afterward, the self-titled Upset album arrived, its sturdy hooks confirming the group’s command of an authentic 1990s revival sound.

Koehler launched the project after Best Coast dismissed her in 2011. Instead of immediately seeking another group, she paused to collect herself and began composing material. Spotting that Schemel had started following her on Twitter led to an online connection that soon grew into a creative partnership. Koehler handled guitar and vocals while Schemel joined on drums; they completed the initial lineup by recruiting Koehler’s Vivian Girls colleague Katy Goodman, founder of La Sera, on bass and La Sera’s Jenn Prince on guitar. The band made its live debut in January 2013, supporting Parquet Courts at The Echo in Los Angeles.

By the time they entered the studio for their debut album, Goodman had already departed. Producer Kyle Gilbride of Swearin’ captured most of the sessions at Koehler’s residence, and Don Giovanni issued She’s Gone near the end of 2013. Prince exited shortly thereafter, with Lauren Freeman of Benny the Jet Rodriguez stepping in on guitar; Slutever’s Rachel Gagliardi also came aboard on bass. This configuration collaborated with punk veteran Todd Congelliere on the 76 EP, which Lauren Records put out in 2015. After touring in support, the group maintained a low profile aside from scattered performances and a slot at Riot Fest in 2017.

During this period Koehler contributed drums to one track on Peach Kelli Pop’s self-titled 2015 album and, in 2018, rejoined a reconstituted Vivian Girls to record their fourth album, Vivian Girls, released in 2019. Meanwhile Upset welcomed a new bassist, Nicole Snyder, Gagliardi’s Slutever bandmate, and began shaping their follow-up record. Inspired by Superchunk, the album Upset found Koehler and Freeman dividing vocal and songwriting responsibilities before Lauren Records released it late in 2019.