Photo by OK McCausland
“I Like Girls Who Got Degrees...Girls On Killin' Sprees...”
Indie Sleaze. An aesthetic and subculture that rose to prominence from the mid-2000s to the early 2010s. The style combines indie music, DIY fashion, and gritty, rebellious attitudes. The raw, unrefined style of this movement can be viewed as a reaction against polished and commercial mainstream culture. Sweaty floors, skinny jeans, and angular indie rock. There was an apparent hedonistic aesthetic to indie sleaze music, which was reflected in the music videos and in the fashion of the artists with their low-maintenance and majorly kooky clothing; fits that didn’t really fit. The recent “resurgence” of this culture have been documented via social media platforms, with many aspects being revisited and reinterpreted by contemporary artists and fashion designers.
One of the prominent new school leaders of the Indie Sleaze renaissance is Harrison Patrick Smith fka Turtlenecked. A polymath that is capturing the new essence of New York City’s vibrant nightlife and counterculture whilst With his audacious creativity and genre-defying sounds, whilst teaching the younger generation. A bold statement against the homogenization of contemporary music, Harrison combines the gritty realism of post-punk with the infectious beats of electronic dance, music. This latest musical project is named “The Dare,” and his purpose is to liberate your flesh.
Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Harrison Smith grew up in the hub of Alternative Rock and Grunge music, Seattle, Washington. Trained in violin and guitar, fashion was his first love, an avid reader of magazines pertaining to trends and breakthroughs in that industry. His father, a failed actor, would earn a living marketing X-ray machines, a scope for underneath the flesh. English Literature was his major at Lewis & Clark college, whilst living in Portland, in which he would being his first musical project “Turtlenecked” in 2014.
A cult following developed soon after in the Pacific Northwest (WAS, ORE, IDA, BRIT COL). A sandbox of Smith's own rules guided the band's first album, “Pure Plush Bone Cage.” Because of its limitations, particularly its experimental punk sound and the idea of keeping each song under two minutes, it became grandiose. With “Vulture,” however, he aimed to break free from limitations by exposing himself creatively. Liberated from constraints, Turtlenecked infused the album with a diverse array of influences and sounds, allowing each song to stand on its own. Initially intending to create a country-leaning album, Smith's sophomore release evolved into an eclectic mix of post-punk and underground sounds.
Pitchfork lent their opinion on the release, rating the project a 6 out of 10 stating:
“But like every lyric on Vulture, it’s striving for the validation of any response, whether it’s smashing that like, RT, or the mute button...”
The next EP he released under this moniker were “High Scores of the Heart” and “Springtime In Hell.” The former received incredibly positive reviews with NPR praising its being:
“So polished that you might be surprised to find out that he is still just an undergrad...”
Harrison approached this work with a blend of seriousness and playfulness. Fashionable cover arts provided the foundation for his future method.
When Covid struck and societies went into lockdown, internet traffic and creativity surged to all-time highs. Moonlighting as a DJ, hosting a semi-weekly party called Freakquencies at the Home Sweet Home dive bar in Manhattan. Harrison decided to make music for fun, sharing it with his peers. Inspired by The Rolling Stones’ eighteenth album, he produced “Girls,” the first release under his new, evolved persona: The Dare. The Dare emerged from Harrison Smith's earlier musical ventures, including his collaborations with various underground artists. Smith envisioned The Dare as a blend of nostalgia and innovation, honouring the city's rich musical heritage while establishing a unique niche for himself.
“Epically silly and epically debauched...”
Officially released in August 2022, he intended this project to be a "rejection of the last five years of music," which he found overly serious and politicized. After the hype from his introductory release, “Good Times” followed soon after, causing a mild bidding war for his signature, with UMG Republic Records ending it. The Dare had arrived. All that was left to do was to release a full-length project, “The Sex EP,”which he did in summer 2023, resulting in unwanted heat and criticism for his choice of words and image.
Shortly after the release of The Sex EP, its artwork, featuring some of Smith's friends, all adults, faintly simulating sex while fully clothed; sparked controversy. A fringe QAnon subsect accused him of "glamorizing paedophilia," and The Daily Mail published a story quoting outraged social media posts about the artwork. This was a dark turn for The Dare, who I believe, didn’t have evil intentions, but this society will always find fault whether its present or not.
I won’ lie to you and say there isn’t murmurings of severely inappropriate acts committed in the music industry. Every week there seems to be a new artist and/or executive exposed for vile actions not known previously by the general public, but in this case I can’t make a concrete judgement knowing the facts stated above.
“People are saying this is straight up paedophilia and I have to say I totally agree with them...Now I’m not one to judge someone else’s artistic expression but this just seems abit sketchy to me...”
The Dare has announced his first studio album “What’s Wrong With New York?” ; scheduled to be released on September 6th. We’ll have to see what limits he decides to push next, albeit a troll job or something more sinister.
The Dare has revived the indie sleaze style in the underground pop scenes of NY and LA. Harrison Patrick Smith, who has obsessive-compulsive disorder, stands as an antithesis to modern mainstream "woke" culture, particularly in the music industry. As a key figure in the movement, he subtly challenges contemporary behaviour standards. Smith's music blends genres masterfully, highlighting his appreciation for post-punk legends like Joy Division and The Cure with moody, atmospheric soundscapes. He infuses this with the high-energy beats of electronic and dance music, reminiscent of LCD Soundsystem and Daft Punk. Tracks like "Girls" and "Good Time" capture this dynamic, combining pulsating bass lines, sharp guitar riffs, and ethereal synths, evoking the excitement and unpredictability of a night out in the city. Live performances? electrifying, marked by raw emotion and controlled chaos, blurring the lines between performer and audience. Smith's unapologetic approach has inspired a new generation of musicians to embrace their individuality and defy mainstream conventions, making him a significant cultural force in New York's underground scene.
As The Dare evolves, Harrison Patrick Smith's impact continues to grow, with a rising fanbase and increasing recognition. His upcoming projects’ promise to delve deeper into his unique sound, pushing musical boundaries. In an industry dominated by formulaic pop hits, The Dare stands out for his artistic integrity and fearless exploration of sound and emotion. However, his brand of “no limits” needs to be tamed before politization of current society swallows up an artist that just wants to escape the rulebook. He must be careful how he continues his career, cancel culture is always lurking for prey to feed on.
Written by: @Arriv3r
Edited by: @Arriv3r
Insight.
