Photo: Travis Trautt
Seattle garage rock ensemble, Biblioteka, today heralded the imminent arrival of their three-piece EP, Kikimora, alongside a whimsically entertaining visual for their spirited and sonorous single, “She’s Bad.”
Evoking aural echoes of The B52’s and Blondie, Biblioteka, with the talents of vocalist Mary Robins, guitarist Hexx Rodriguez, and drummer Jules Tennyson, crafts a sound that seamlessly blends the unfiltered edge of grunge, punk’s defiant spirit, and the foundational ethos of garage rock. “She’s Bad” is a sonic dance between exuberant punk and introspective rock, intertwining the tempestuousness of The Breeders, Bikini Kill, and Sleater-Kinney. Brimming with dynamism, it’s an infectious track designed to invigorate listeners and set limbs in motion…if not akimbo!
Directed by Sean Donavan, the video unfolds atop a rooftop, brilliantly encapsulating the bewildered reflections of the Morning After—those post-debauchery sunrises. The narrative piques curiosity: What transpired the previous night? How did she find herself perched so high above? And the identity of the enigmatic bearded figure at the bar remains an intriguing riddle. This visual tale expertly meshes humour with the mystique, drawing viewers into its playful puzzle. (Maybe hold back on the Long Island iced teas, next time?)
Watch below:
Birthed from the remnants of a prior musical venture, Robins and Rodriguez started sculpting Biblioteka’s sound in the mid-2010s. The band’s moniker is a nod to Robins’ Ukrainian lineage and Hexx’s Mexican descent, symbolizing a bridge between their diverse heritages.
Pretty Ugly, released in 2022, served as Biblioteka’s initial full-length foray. This collection delved deep into the band’s introspections during the pandemic era, with pieces like “Tick Tock” and “Waiting For Nothing” poignantly touching upon the unnerving sentiments of isolation-induced paranoia and substance abuse.
Biblioteka’s reputation for rambunctious concerts and electrifying stagecraft stands undeniable. Now, on the heels of Pretty Ugly, the ensemble is gearing up for the October launch of their eagerly anticipated EP, Kikimora. To prepare the world for their upcoming tour and musical offerings, Post-Punk.com spoke with Biblioteka about the video, their influences, and what’s next for the band:
The video for “She’s Bad” is very in-your-face, balancing some comedic moments with a lot of intensity. How did you end up coming up with the idea for the visual?
Hexx and I had the idea to do a music video where I get stuck up on a roof, reliving the events of the night before, just like in the movie The Hangover but from the perspective of the guy on the roof.
Visually, we went for a trippy feel a la The Cramps, and the visuals also match the feeling of the song — hazy, wild, and a little surreal.
Beyond just having a new single, you’re announcing a new EP, Kikimora. Did you pull from any specific inspirations or references for the new project?
I was inspired to write Kikimora after watching Obayashi’s House (1977), which reminded me of a story my mother would tell me from Ukrainian folklore. This made me realize that I was at a point of my life where I was facing a difficult time with my mental health. I remembered the stories my mother would tell me, and that the Kikimora spirit can be good or malevolent depending on the person she encounters.
As a punk band in Seattle, does being surrounded by so much musical history influence your work?
Hell yeah. I grew up in Seattle and would go to as many all-ages shows as I could at The Vera Project and Neumos, then I started listening to KEXP and it introduced me to a bunch of music. I wasn’t alive during the Nirvana days, but I was very inspired by Bikini Kill after watching a Kathleen Hanna documentary. And the music scene is blooming in Seattle today.
Biblioteka has announced a full series of tour dates supporting the new EP, which spans both coasts of the United States, as well as taking a detour to Mexico City. Check out the schedule below:
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