Party Nails is a Southern California based musician, singer-songwriter and producer who has made a name for herself with her multidimensional, genre-fluid musical releases. The artist has just shared her long awaited and highly anticipated third album Pillow Talk. The ten-track album is released via Eye Knee Records and the artist proclaims that it "finds her in a honey colored party mood." Pillow Talk is a diverse musical collection including indie rock nostalgic dipped tracks "Same Old Song" and "Someway Somehow" as well as dark synth pop numbers "Trigger Warning" and "First Responder". Then there is a bratty pop favorite "D.R.A.M.A" which features Emma Kern and the more punk rock driven "Do U Know How". Thematically, Party Nails covers a variety of themes so pertinent to life that you feel as if she is reading your own diary. She talks about toxicity, over giving, deep devotion and more, in candid and poetic ways, bringing the listener a variety of emotions.
Earmilk chats with the creator about Pillow Talk, time on the road, musical influences and more. Party Nails shows us why she is a creative mastermind and one who has touched listeners everywhere.
Hi Party Nails, congratulations on your new album Pillow Talk! Can you tell our readers how this album differs from your previous albums?
I admire Robyn and her music a lot, and one very smart thing she once said was, "I'm not changing; I'm just becoming more myself." That's how I feel about Pillow Talk. But of course I'm already working on the next album, so that one is really the most current version of me, haha. Pillow Talk has more rock and Americana influence than my previous albums, I think.
How have you evolved over the years as an artist and performer?
Before Party Nails, I was an electronic artist and before that an Americana artist. I always wanted to be very dynamic on stage but was never quite as big as I wanted. Party Nails has melded the genres and given me a lot of opportunities to practice my performing, which now feels closer to what I've always wanted.
There are a variety of themes on the album including leaving toxicity, finding love, and reconciling the coexistence of one's younger and older selves. What do you hope listeners take away from the album?
I want listeners to feel soothed and empowered by this album. Being a human in this world is not easy. Every day we wake up and do it again, in spite of heartbreak, grief, confusion, sickness, abuse, and on the flip side ecstasy, connection, joy, and love. Even the good stuff can be exhausting and destabilizing! I just want people to know they're not alone. No one is alone in their experience.
You experiment with so many genres and fuse such an interesting and eclectic sound. What inspires you musically and who are some of your influences?
Thank you! I studied music since I was a kid, sung in choirs all through college, played in all kinds of ensembles, etc. I just love what I love and I don't think too hard about what is or is not "allowed" when it comes to making music as Party Nails (for better or worse). My primary music mentor recently passed away, and I owe my confident interest in all types of songs to him. Rob Caldwell. He taught me that a great song is just that, whether it's an instrumental from Renaissance Italy, Talking Heads, or Britney Spears, or Blind Willie McTell.
If you could collaborate with anyone dead or alive, who would that be?
Robyn, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Miley Cyrus, Prince, Biggie, Johnny Cash.
You are also a producer and engineer. What is your favorite part about collaborating with other artists/bands in the sphere?
I love working in service of the artist/bands' vision. I am their hands, and a bit of a doula, providing a safe atmosphere to birth their new ideas. I love setting aside my artist self and living in the present moment of working to build someone else's.
Who is currently on your playlist?
Jordan Duffy, Bad Bad Hats, Sheryl Crow, The White Stripes, Alex Winston.
You are in the midst of a tour. We would love to hear a fun or hilarious tour story from your past?
I'm the singer in a new band I started with Bad Bad Hats called Megasound. Our name is a reference to the Josie and the Pussycats movie. We were shocked when, not only did Megasound go on a short tour with Letters To Cleo—the singer of which provides the singing voice of Josie, the incredible Kay Hanley—but my bandmates and I got to perform "Three Small Words" from the movie Josie and the Pussycats. There were many happy tears shed.
Finally, what plans does Party Nails have for 2025?
Music videos, remixes, and more shows.
TOUR DATES (supporting Bad Bad Hats)
Jan 08 Phoenix AZ at Valley Bar
Jan 09 Los Angeles CA at The Echo
Jan 10 San Francisco CA at Bottom of the Hill
Jan 11 Sacramento CA venue TBA
Jan 12 Bend OR at Volcanic Theatre Pub
Jan 14 Baker City OR at Churchill School
Jan 15 Tacoma WA at Elks Temple (Spanish Ballroom)
Jan 16 Seattle WA at Barboza
Jan 17 Portland OR at Mission Theatre
Jan 18 Boise ID at Neurolux
Jan 19 Salt Lake City UT at Kilby Court
Jan 21 Cheyenne WY at The Lincoln
Jan 22 Denver CO at Lost Lake Lounge
Jan 23 Colorado Spring at Vultures
Jan 24 Omaha NE at Reverb Lounge
Connect with Party Nails: INSTAGRAM
