The Ophelias - "Salome"

Photo by Mikko Castaño

The Ophelias have released a new single off their upcoming Julien Baker produced album, and it's a truly great one. "Salome" is a mid-tempo alt-rocker bordering on pop with a grunge edge to it. The fuzzy guitars chug along with Spencer Peppet's vocals somewhere between speaking and singing, but not exactly speak-singing. The song slowly builds in menace and is sure to trigger your anxiety, but it a great way. This one is reminding me of Veruca Salt meets Cake Like without sounding like a 90's throwback. "Salome" is definitely 90's inspired, but it's a modern take on that sound. As discordant as I may have made it sound, The Ophelias inject a lot of beauty into the song.

Spencer Peppet says of her band's new single:

“‘Salome’ loosely follows the biblical story of (you guessed it) Salome, who danced for King Herod at his birthday celebration and was told she could ask for anything in return. She asked for the head of John the Baptist. While I personally have never facilitated someone’s beheading, I find the story and the way it has resonated with playwrights, filmmakers, and artists fascinating — a real depiction of ‘female biblical rage,’ as the TikTok girlies would say. The video is our campy camcorder take on that.”

You can watch the video for "Salome" below. Spring Grove is due out April 4 on Get Better Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on The Ophelias, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video and include a April 8 date at The Rockwell in Somerville and April 9 at The Press Room in Portsmouth, NH.

Fri. April 4 - Philadelphia, PA @ MilkBoy
Sat. April 5 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Broadway - record release show
Sun. April 6 - Vienna, VA @ Jammin’ Java
Tue. April 8 - Boston, MA @ The Rockwell
Wed. April 9 - Portsmouth, NH @ Press Room
Sat. May 10 - Lansing, MI @ Stoopfest
Sun. May 11 - Toronto, ON @ The Baby G
Tue. May 13 - Montréal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo
Wed. May 14 - Burlington, VT @ Radio Bean