The daunting effects and consequences of toxic relationships keep on giving with yet another relatable, honest, somewhat triggering spin of the pull and push factor. New York-based indie-rock alternative artist Deadbeat Girl lays out a raw dose of the subsequent overthinking on their new single ‘Everything You Wanted.’
Val Olson, better known as the 20-year-old grunge one-to-watch Deadbeat Girl, encapsulates the feeling of the constant back and forth with vulnerable yet angsty lyrics and striking instrumentation. Listening to ‘Everything You Wanted,’ and other releases, such as ‘Another Day’ and ‘Take Me Home,’ radiate with the early 2000s influence of the iconic era’s predominant grunge movement and alternative rock ballads.
‘Everything You Wanted’ is an instant hit for everyone marked by toxic behavior and a showcase of Deadbeat Girl’s prodigious translation of emotion into striking musical excellence.
Born in South Florida, they reside in New York; Deadbeat Girl embodies the vestige beating heart of the city’s undeniable, underground talent and genuine passion for instrumental production.
Not knowing who to blame, circling between wanting to leave and stay, Deadbeat Girl chats to Noctis about ‘Everything You Wanted,’ underground spots in New York, and the Neighbourhood obsession.
What is keeping you busy these days?
Promoting my music, trying to get through college, and spending time with my friends!
What were your favourite things about growing up in South Florida?
My favorite thing about growing up in South Florida has to be the weather, I miss the fun and sun!
Was it the grunge movement and alternative rock ballads of the early 2000s that left a significant impact on your personal music style?
One hundred percent! Growing up on all of that music has completely formed my music taste, which has now formed my sound.
Who was the one artist/band that really inspired you?
I grew up, listening to a lot of Nirvana, Death Cab for Cutie, and Pinback with my parents in the house. However, as I started to form my own personal music taste, I came across The Neighborhood when I was about 12 years old, and I have been obsessed ever since. Huge inspo for visuals, aesthetic, and music!
What is your perfect day spent in New York?
My perfect day spent in New York, has to be waking up with my wonderful girlfriend, stepping out to get breakfast, meeting up with the friends to do a fun day activity, and then going out at night in the city with everyone!
Could you name few places in New York where you can discover new talent, underground bands etc?
The best places in New York to find new talent/underground bands would be small venues throughout the city as well as queer art events. For music venues, good places to check out are Rockwood Music Hall, Baby’s All Right, Bowery Ballroom, and the Sultan Room just to name a few. For queer talent, there are a million bars around the city where you can see drag shows and all things of that sort!
When did you start feeling like a local there?
I knew I started feeling like a local when I started getting annoyed at slow walkers on the sidewalk and tourists haha!
You’re 20-years-old, what are some biggest lessons you had to learn about becoming an adult?
The biggest lessons I’ve had to learn about becoming an adult has to be to keep your circle small, and to do things that make you feel happy.
What helped you the most with embracing who you are and working on being confident and self-acceptance?
Moving to New York was extremely helpful, now I am surrounded by all sorts of people like myself. It is extremely diverse over here, trust me nobody is worried about what you look like or what you’re wearing.
How did you come up with your stage name Deadbeat Girl?
I was inspired by this one song by the band Day Wave. I was in the process of coming up with artist names, and their song “Deadbeat Girl” came up on shuffle, and I immediately knew it was perfect.
Could you share more of your creative process, how do your writing sessions look like?
My writing sessions are pretty laid-back, they usually consist of messing around with different instrumentals with my musician friends, and then crafting a song together. I try my best to always have a large vault of finished/almost finished songs, so that I don’t rush through making my music and so I can take my time and enjoy it.
How would you compare your latest EP ‘What Will It Take’ with your new material
I would say my new material feels a bit more mature. I wrote the majority of that EP when I was 17 or 18, so a lot of the new music you can see a lot of growth in the lyrics, vocals, and overall feel of the song.
Could you tell us more about what is the backstory of your new single ‘Everything You Wanted’?
My good friend Collin Taylor, who I worked on “When You Went” with, came up with an instrumental idea, and recorded a voice memo of him essentially beatboxing haha. He then brought it to the studio and made the sick instrumental that you hear now and it was off to the races.
What do you have planned for the rest of the year that you are Able to share with us? Any sneak peeks?
I have lots of really cool music coming up! To the people who are big fans of my song “Another Day” and the grunge genre overall, be ready.
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Words: Karolina Kramplova