Blending raw punk energy with deeply personal songwriting, Newcastle’s Dinky Bossetti continue to wear their hearts on their sleeves. Their latest singles, ‘Sick Of Myself’ and ‘Lovebombs’, explore themes including chronic illness, grief, gender dysphoria and heartbreak, offering an honest glimpse into the band’s forthcoming debut album. Lee Allcock caught up with lead singer Jade Mia Broadhead to discuss catharsis through songwriting, musical evolution and what’s next.
‘Sick Of Myself’ tackles chronic illness, grief and gender dysphoria. How difficult was it to write such a personal song?
It’s never something I’ve found particularly difficult. For me, songwriting is like journaling or therapy. It’s how I process trauma, and I find it incredibly cathartic. There are songs that are much harder to perform live – our song ‘Babes In Boyland’, for instance – but writing them is always a positive experience. Before I transitioned, I was definitely holding back in my songwriting. Even when I listened back to those older songs, I could tell something was missing. There wasn’t the honesty or emotional intensity that I was searching for. Once I came out, I found that missing piece, and it’s stayed with me ever since.
Despite its heavy subject matter, ‘Sick Of Myself’ has a raw, energetic sound. Why did that feel like the right musical approach?
Sometimes I think the heaviest subjects work best when they’re presented in the most energetic way, especially in a live setting. I tend to save my more introspective, brooding material for my solo work. With Dinky Bossetti, I’m always chasing that chaotic energy that suits us so well. We’re – or at least I am – pretty scrappy on stage, so it feels right that the songs should reflect that. I grew up loving bands such as The Replacements, Babes In Toyland, Hole and Hüsker Dü, and that loose, chaotic spirit has always been part of how I write and perform.
How have audiences responded to ‘Sick Of Myself’ when you’ve performed it live?
It’s gone down brilliantly. We’ve already had people singing along to the chorus before the song has even been released, which always feels like a really encouraging sign. For a while, I kept forgetting or messing up one of my favourite lyrics I’ve ever written: ‘The only thing wrong with this picture is I can’t see myself in it.’ It’s probably my favourite line I’ve written about gender dysphoria, so I think I built it up too much in my own head. Thankfully, I’ve managed to get past that now.
‘Lovebombs’ explores heartbreak and emotional manipulation. What inspired the song?
I met someone when we played a show with his band, and we ended up dating for a few months. It was the first time I’d met someone in real life, rather than through a dating app, since coming out, and I think he knew that. He told me everything a girl wants to hear before completely pulling the rug from under me.
That said, I don’t hold any resentment. In fact, I’m grateful in a strange sort of way because the experience gave me a really great song. I think I’ve reached the point where relationships mostly exist to provide songwriting material – although hopefully that’s only half true.
These two singles are the first taste of your debut album. How do they reflect what’s still to come?
They definitely represent the energy of the record, but I think the album is going to surprise a lot of people. There are songs on it that listeners probably won’t immediately associate with Dinky Bossetti. We’ve already released two EPs before these singles, and one thing I’ve never wanted to do is make the same record over and over again. As a songwriter, I’m interested in exploring different sounds and ideas, and we’re a much more diverse band than people might expect. I wouldn’t necessarily call it progression. I’d call it evolution. If we stop evolving, we stagnate, and eventually we die. I think that’s true of music, and probably of society as well.
A lot has changed since the release of the ‘Pink, White & Blue’ EP. How has Dinky Bossetti evolved during that time?
Well, we’ve got a new bass player for a start. It’s never easy when a band member leaves, especially someone you considered family, but those things happen and you have to move forward. In many ways, it’s fitting that Hope joined the band because they’ve genuinely given us hope at a time when I thought Dinky Bossetti might be finished. Losing a member also means relearning the entire set together, so it’s been a challenge, but one that’s been worth it.
You can listen to ‘Sick of Myself’ and ‘Lovebombs’ now on all major streaming platforms.
