Interview: Shooting Daggers - Sonic Activism with 'Love & Rage'
Shooting Daggers by Martyna Bannister
"There's a lot of ways to do activism, and our way is through music."
Where punk rock stands as a platform for resistance and self-expression, Shooting Daggers emerges with a sound that's not just rebellious but also deeply resonant. Founded in 2019, this London-based punk outfit - comprised of members Bea Simion, Sal Salgado Pellegrin, and Raquel Juzgado - bring unique backgrounds and influences to create a sound that defies easy categorisation.
Gearing up for the release of their debut full-length album, Love & Rage, we met with the band for an exclusive interview to delve into their journey, activism through music, and the themes of their upcoming album.
Shooting Daggers' can trace its roots back to 2017 when bassist Bea Simion moved to London and connected with Sal Salgado Pellegrin through online platforms dedicated to linking musicians. Together, they formed Shooting Daggers, initially starting as a quartet before returning to a three-piece lineup. The band experienced a significant shift during the pandemic when their original drummer relocated, leading them to discover Raquel Juzgado through mutual friends, solidifying the lineup.
Shooting Daggers’ upcoming debut album, Love & Rage, has been a labour of love, taking shape over two years of intermittent writing sessions. Bea explained that the album's eclectic nature reflects the band's openness to experimentation, with each song capturing a moment in their musical journey:
"I normally start with a riff, or maybe Sal comes up with a riff. We either try it in the studio straight away or Sal and I take some time with just bass and guitar to build a structure."
This method allows the band to create a foundation, after which Raquel joins in, adding her drumming expertise. The result is a dynamic mix of influences that create a sound that is distinctly their own.
Lyrics, typically the final piece of the puzzle, are drawn from a list of topics that resonate with the band's ethos. Touching on themes of empowerment, queer identity, and activism, lyricist and guitarist Sal explains that in everything the band creates, they try to be open to allowing the music to guide the right message for the song:
“I think we were, I was at least, in a more positive stage of life when we were writing this album than I was when we were writing our EP, ‘Athames’. When we wrote the instrumental for this album, it naturally felt more uplifting.
When it came to writing the lyrics, we wanted to continue some of the same messages and themes, but through a different lens or a different angle. It’s still about queercore, it’s still about women in the punk scene, women in the opposition, but from a new lens. It’s still moody, but more empowering.”
Shooting Daggers sees their music as a potent form of activism, echoing the sentiment that there are various ways to contribute to positive change. Bea shared,
"There's a lot of ways to do activism, and our way is through music."
By crafting lyrics and melodies with intention, the band actively participates in shaping the transformative narrative they wish to see in the world.
When asked about their favourite tracks on the album, the band members revealed a range of personal preferences, reflecting the album's versatility and emotional depth, each song offering a unique perspective on love, rage, and everything in between. If you ask me, "Bad Seeds" and “A Guilty Conscience Needs An Accuser” are among The Scene’s favourites.
Talking about “Bad Seeds”, Bea describes it as "very fun" and "one of the most uplifting" on the album. For “A Guilty Conscience Needs An Accuser” she notes a lot of people whom she talked to who have listened to the album point to it being one of the most impressive tracks. As for her own favourite, it shifts each time she listens back to the album, sharing, "Every time I listen to the album I have a new favourite”.
Sal agrees “It depends on the day, I love “Bad Seeds” and “Smug” but to be honest I like them all”. Raquel adds “My favourite depends on my mood. We have more mellow songs or angry ones, there are songs for every day that someone's gonna need a song for”.
With the release of Love & Rage just around the corner, Shooting Daggers are gearing up for an exciting journey ahead. A highly anticipated release show at Rough Trade East will mark the debut of their new songs, followed by a five-day tour with U.S hardcore band Spaced as part of their 'Trippin Thru the UK Tour 2024’, covering cities like Manchester, Bristol, Southampton, Brighton, and London. The band has also secured slots at various festivals, including the long-awaited performance at 2000trees, promising an unforgettable summer for fans old and new.
As we eagerly anticipate the release of Love & Rage Shooting Daggers stands ready to reshape the punk narrative, illustrating that rebellion encompasses more than just resistance.
Love & Rage by Shooting Daggers is out 16 Feb via New Heavy Sounds. Pre-save the release on Bandcamp and Cargo Records.
