Lady Lazarus took their name from a Sylvia Plath poem about a woman who dies and returns time and time again, turning survival into a spectacle and refusing to stay down. The band met in a Sydney pub and are now taking Berlin by storm. They have been coming back to life across continents ever since and have become part of the LOUD WOMEN family DNA.
PARTY! is a special song from the start: it was recorded in a converted World War II bunker on the outskirts of Berlin. A place once associated with horror has been transformed into a haven for noise. If you haven’t realised that yet, just wait for the video. Chaotic and surreal, it conveys an intensity that’s hard to resist. All of these elements come together in a track packed with guitars that feel like the song’s nervous system, drums that pound perfectly to provide the party rhythm and Caroline‘s vocals, which land somewhere between euphoria and total indifference.
This is punk that draws directly from riot grrrl, both aesthetically and in terms of understanding the purpose of music, who has the right to create it, and what it should say. Like Babes in Toyland and Bikini Kill, they make noise as a choice and a means of protest. However, Lady Lazarus does not just live off their heritage; their sound also echoes that of contemporary bands such as the English groups Menstrual Cramps and Panic Shack. These groups share the conviction that feminist punk is not a genre of the past, but a living conversation. Caroline wrote her master’s thesis on the decline of protest music. She has given the subject a great deal of thought. This is clearly evident.
The lyrics speak for themselves. Spending your rent money on ketamine, sharing a bag and buying two tickets to see Black Flag, all while ignoring your phone. ‘I’m so sick of this adult shit.’ This line captures the exhaustion of carrying on when everything is falling apart, both inside and out. As Caroline explains, it’s the perfect song for those moments when your head and the world seem to be exploding simultaneously and dancing is the only rational response.
Lady Lazarus have been building a feminist punk infrastructure across continents ever since they met in Sydney and became, in their own words, sisters. They have long been much more than just a band; they are a vital part of the feminist punk community. They have organised fanzines, fundraisers, and benefits for Gaza, as well as the All Kings Are Bastards Fest and LOUD WOMEN events in Australia and Berlin. “Punk is an ethos, not a genre,” they say, “and if you aren’t addressing social and economic disparities, you’re a poser.” They mean it. This track means it.
The debut album is due to be released at the end of the summer. In the meantime, find the pit and enjoy the party!
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