Brody Dalle: NPR Music Field Recordings

Throughout her career, punk icon Brody Dalle has embraced her aggressive side. Best known as the lead singer of The Distillers and Spinnerette, Dalle has a sandpaper- and velvet-tinged voice that speaks to rebellious young punks who are curious about the world yet vulnerable to its sharp edges. "I've never understood why there was such a fuss about aggressive women in music," Dalle says. "To me, aggression is a human instinct. ... I've felt provoked for most of my life, especially as a child. I guess I've carried those feelings into my songs."

So it was a pleasant surprise that Dalle was open to the challenge of crafting a stripped-down version of her song "Dressed in Dreams." An anthem about getting back up when you've been kicked down, the song is personal to Dalle: After overcoming addiction, she almost immediately faced a brutal bout of postpartum depression. "I had a hard time getting myself up and running before I wrote this record," she says. "I felt worthless. I was embarrassed and lost."

Luckily, Dalle was able to use her songwriting as a way to fight back. Earlier this year, she released Diploid Love, her first solo album, and she says she happily embraces her day-to-day life as a working rock mom and wife. As Dalle set up her gear at New York City's Panna II, we noticed the way the chili-pepper strands that covered every surface of the restaurant bathed her in a weirdly fierce yet serene red light. They provide a nice little visual metaphor for the way raging against the darkest points in life can help bring you into the light.
--SAIDAH BLOUNT

CREDITS
Producers: Mito Habe-Evans, Saidah Blount, Jacob Ganz; Videographers: Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, Mito Habe-Evans, Christopher Parks; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Special Thanks: Panna II; Executive Producer: Anya Grundmann

[bean]

It's 2023 and I've been watching this video at least once a week for 9 years. It's one of the most beautiful performances I've ever seen and it taught me how to scream when I most needed it. Love you, Brody.

[michaelsambrano]

If you fell for her once, you will fall for her over and over again. Amazing performance.

[thaishelenabueno]

When I was in the beginning of college, she released this album and this song made me feel so much less lonely and it felt like the hug that I neeed at the time. I stand with you Brody Dalle.

[GoodSteve]

She ALWAYS gives such a genuine and raw performance. Punk personified. Love it.

[AZ]

her screams and growls are always perfect and in the right tunes

[jenn]

This song gave me a lot of hope at a time when i needed it. You can feel the heart in her music everytimr.

[sspanos]

There is definitely a place in music that can only be filled by Brody. Not only is she talented but such a genuine human being. I had the chance to meet her in July At the A &R music bar in Ohio. Small Venue... she took the time to meet and hug everyone who stayed after the show. She wiped away my tears and hugged me and I can honestly say it was the best day of my life other than my sons birth. Love her so much.  XOXOOX BRODY. Keep making music.  Coming from someone who also has been provoked her whole life. I need you! You write the music of so many souls.

[Fissa]

Damn.. Dat girl and her lyrics. Honestly she is one of the best songwriter I've ever heard - and that comes from someone who listens to almost every music genre. Her lyrics are somehow perfect. They are never too hard to understand because of using random terms and try to sound smart but become to be just senseless. HER lyrics are smart and easy to understand, but still let the freedom of interpretation. And except for that she isn't like that 100% technical perfect singer so it is exciting to listen to her. You hear her singing her heart out and she really means what she sings. It's not like she is just trying to comfort the listeners ears but also their mind and heart.. sounds cheesy as shit but I hope you know what I mean.

So.. Brody is the perfect singer to me. I adore her voice. I am always fascinated by her lyrical talent. I love her/her band's music. I apprecciate her attitude (well what I saw in interviews and what I read from people who actually met her). And well.. she is one beautiful woman :D

[ronnysteinskogltoft]

As an old The Distillers fan that have followed the band from the start till theyˋre untimely death sort of speach, I love to see Brody back! She looks healthy and beautiful as ever, and her vocals are just as amazing still! I love her lyrics. I wish her the very best! As an old punk rocker, I have the utmost respect for her new music style. Because its real and from the heart! Love you Brody!

[herrottenheart]

Where is the sun?
You're numb and dumb
Please I need the seeds of change
It's wearing a new dream
It's ripping at the seams
I've come undone
And there is one place left to run, ,.and that is, ..
Never let yourself give in
When you're trying to start again
Put on your dreams and let's go
I've come so far and gone so low
I've fallen in decay
Always try to find a way out and up to better days
Are waiting for me
And I will come dressed up in dreams
Never let yourself give in
When you're trying to start again
Put on your dreams and let's go
I won't give up at all
I want the freedom to dream the impossible
I will make it real

[suzybrightman]

I am totally tripping on all the camera angles, yet there is no break in her incredible performance . Mind blowing!!!

[shaunayyy]

very interesting that s2e5 of daredevil plays "die on a rope" by the distillers for a moment and then two of the main characters go to this restaurant afterwards. someone behind the scenes must be a brody fan...

[nalarandall]

B R O D Y DALLE = something so fucking special.

[jln.bss.]

2021 and an eternal repeat of this incredible song. Thank you Brody.

[milo]

Started following her with the Distillers some time ago.. I can appreciate the solo stuff, but in her element with a big electric ensemble band, seems like a more powerful option. But, if the solo acoustic vibe is where she's at just now, then so be it. The Art is where the Art is @ any moment. She's good at whatever she does :)

[thnardi]

Discovering this song only in 2024. amaizing performance, amazing ideia of mini vox amp with drive and acoustic guitar.

[patriciab.swesey]

Given everything that's happening to this woman right now, I can't watch this without crying a mother's tear. It's so beautiful, I need a whole album fo stripped down Brody.

[yetipie]

I am always so amazed by the beauty of this: the "Brody" voice...  good god this is heaven and couldn't be reproduced for any price.  Regardless of the vocal persuasions of other wishful thinkers, power punk-ballad-wanna-be's, and dreamers of all angles/ages: Brody. Is. What. Lives.  Punk has never know such powerful danger, as in the deity of Miss Brody.  truly we have been blessed to know her.  I have been formidably trapped in the young impressionable love that is to know late 90's punk rock master for her true works...  Owning up, and comparing to no one: holding a candle : strictly for research), to the tsunami bombs (for their female frontness)...Brody, with her distillers took respect back!  ...My life be forever changed, being torn by ye olde coral fang and   Powerful and prophetic, the presence of these women are a rad voice, since long before the days of josh (though he alone is another amazing/once in a life time chance of musical beauty..,

[deanrobinson]

I can listen to this on repeat for days !! So beautiful!!!

[toddfoster]

Brody is.. Everything amazing about Punk... she's, for me, a symbol of ... that cool feeling. I love you, Brody Dalle.