By Staff | October 31, 2026
Photo credit: Eve Hide
There's something beautifully unhinged about calling a song "Bog Bitch," especially when it comes with a message about refusing to make yourself smaller for anyone, and we do mean anyone. Boston's Abby Volta has turned that frustration into a Halloween release that fits right in with their love of goth, post-punk, and all things weird. We had a chance to sit down with Abby to chat about the new release, finding their place in Boston's music scene, growing up with Bowie as an influence, and why the goth crowd is actually a whole lot friendlier than you might think.
Welcome! Your Halloween release “Bog Bitch” ... that's a hell of a song title. What's the meaning behind it?
Thanks, I do love alliteration :) I wanted to write a song about being a “nasty woman” and the judgment AFAB people get when they’re direct and take up space. I’ve noticed the ways I shrink myself around men and have tried to challenge that instinct, instead pushing myself to speak up and self advocate. It’s been hard and I worry if I’m coming off like a bitch. So I created a character called the Bog Bitch to channel that frustration and give myself permission to take up space (and maybe get called a bitch).
You've described the song as being about reclaiming power and taking up space. Was there a particular experience that inspired it?
I don’t know if there was one particular experience that inspired the song. It feels like an amalgamation of multiple rough relationships where I took on most of the emotional labor and felt forced into a “mother” or “caretaker” role. Once I noticed that pattern I was able to take all my pent up frustration and focus it into Bog Bitch. It felt like a way for me to have the final word in these relationships and express all my feelings fully.
Photo credit: Eve Hide
Your music draws from goth, post-punk, and industrial sounds — who are some of the bands that inspired you early on?
I could give you a playlist that goes on for at least 24 hours! I think my biggest inspirations are David Bowie, Bauhaus (I know, kinda basic), Chelsea Wolfe, Siouxsie and the Banshees and St Vincent.
Boston has a pretty diverse indie music scene. Where do you feel you fit into it?
Boston’s music scene is like a jungle! It took some time to figure out my niche. Sometimes I’ll play a show with heavier, more punk leaning bands and I’ll adjust my set to have a little bit more screamy vocals. Other times we’ll play with more indie rock/shoegaze groups and add more of my slower “moody” songs to the set. Recently we’ve been venturing out to Providence more for shows, they have a great secret stash of goths.
Photo credit: Eve Hide
How much of your queer identity and feminism consciously finds its way into your songwriting, and how much just happens naturally?
I think it’s 50/50. Sometimes I’ll write something without the intention of it having a feminist or queer theme and once I’m finished I’ll see a couple queer/feminist lines peak through. Other times I’m already thinking about a topic, life experience or issue that falls under those umbrellas. I feel like when I’m performing live I’m able to imbue my songs with more of a queer or feminist lens. My makeup, clothes and body language onstage are all ways I can shift the tone or perspective of my song.
What's something about the goth scene that outsiders completely misunderstand?
Like with a lot of alternative scenes I think people find goths intimidating or they assume they’re mean. It hasn’t helped that the mean goth girl trope has become the little sister of the manic pixie dream girl. Almost all of the goth people I’ve met are the kindest, most considerate people in the world! People don’t see how uplifting the goth scene is or how it’s a judgment free space for self expression.
Photo credit: Eve Hide
If someone went to one of your shows knowing absolutely nothing about you, what would you want them to walk away feeling?
I’d want them to feel the way you feel after watching Coraline. A little freaked out but also excited and curious. My absolute goal for my shows is to feel like you stepped into a slightly different world that’s spooky and whimsical.
If you could collaborate with any artist for one track, living or dead, who would it be and why?
David Bowie for sure, his music has had such a big impact on my life. I started listening to him when I was 13 and just starting to figure out my own queer identity. Seeing him being all glittery and weird made me feel like there was a place for me in the world. I would love to collaborate with him and pick his brain about songwriting, production and performance.
What's the most important piece of advice you'd give to a band just starting out today?
I know this sounds like something you’d read on a motivational poster, but I’d say new bands need to know why they’re making music. It’s so important to know why you feel drawn to music, performing and songwriting. Is it for self expression? Fun? Connection with your bandmates and the audience? Making sure that everyone in the band is aligned in their motivations is at the heart of a successful project.
Photo credit: Eve Hide
Anyone you'd like to shout out for their support?
Yes, so many people! My wonderful bandmates Jack Monteleone and Dylan Krakowsky. The super talented Jett Lea who produced, recorded and mixed the song. Julian Hoot for all his help recording and Natalie Bibby who did a great job mastering. And finally my amazing friend and photographer Eve Hide!
Links
Official Website: https://www.abbyvolta.com/
Presave/Listen to Bog Bitch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/abbyvolta/bog-bitch?ref=release
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyvolta
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7lxDrvKe6M9h4SmsbVVJ4M
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/abby-volta/1603311312
Bandcamp: https://abbyvolta6.bandcamp.com/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abbyvolta
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AbbyVolta