London punks Dream Nails will be releasing their much-anticipated self-titled debut album on August 28 and today they’ve revealed its latest single ‘Jillian’, a song about queerness, body positivity and problematic TV fitness celebrity Jillian Michaels. The band have been compared to The Slits (VICE) and Elastica (The Guardian) in the past, and shades of both are present on this new single. Dream Nails have also announced their signing to Dine Alone, who will be releasing ‘Dream Nails’ in North America alongside UK indie Alcopop! (Art Brut, BO NINGEN, Kississippi, Tigercub).
“This is a song about realizing you’re queer while you’re doing a workout DVD,” explains singer Janey Starling of ‘Jillian’. “It’s a personal-power anthem about finding the strength to come out; that’s what the line ‘I feel the fear leaving my body’ is all about.
“Both [bassist] Mimi and I discovered strength training through Jillian Michaels’ ‘30 Day Shred’ home DVD, and the catch-phrases were too good to not make a song from! Since then, she’s said some uncool and unkind stuff to Lizzo, which we were really gutted to hear. This song is very much about finding your own strength, regardless of your body shape.”
Dream Nails have been the subject of considerable excitement since they first emerged on the DIY scene. Noted for their strong emphasis on empowerment from a queer feminist perspective and their involvement in a host of political causes, the band’s budding reputation has seen them tour in the UK & Europe with Cherry Glazerr and in Europe with Anti-Flag, and make three consecutive appearances at Glastonbury all before releasing their first LP.