Turning It Way The Fuck Up: An Interview With Boston’s bratlash
By Staff | July 24, 2026
Photo credit: @MattBassmedia
What does a band do when the dominant streaming platform funds ICE recruitment ads and invests in military weapons of war? Most bands, maybe holding their nose, put their music on Spotify anyway. Not bratlash. And if that's any indication of the integrity this band has, we think you'll like them. Their debut single "Worth It (is it?)" shows their true DIY ethos with grunge-punk riffs and (intentionally) detuned acoustic guitars. Off the stage, members channel personal experiences into advocating for housing equity and providing safe spaces for marginalized communities. We had a chance to catch up with them to discuss capitalism, fuck you's to an ex and how a happy accident with an overloaded preamp can be just the sound you're looking for.
Welcome! First of all, can you walk us through your hesitation and possible refusal to include your new album on Spotify?
Jett Hexx, guitar/vocals (they/them): I began to feel hesitation around Spotify as a platform a year before we decided to release music. I was in a diner in Boston and heard the ICE ads over the loudspeaker and it was jarring. I know we live in a dystopian world, but it really shook me that this was acceptable and just how the world is now. I divested from the platform not long after that due to growing concerns about the approval of the ICE ads on the free platform, as well as concerns about the CEOs investment in Helsing and not being sure where he stands with IDF. I recognize there is no ethical consumption under capitalism, but for better or worse my ethics and values drive what I do. I believe it’s a bold statement to show others they don’t have to play this part of the capitalistic game to be successful as an artist. So for me, it was a decision I made for the band and left the door open for anyone’s concerns to be brought to the table and have ongoing conversations
Nadia Lee, guitar (she/her): I pushed back on this because I believe art should be accessible to anyone and everyone. now that we have released it, I do not feel hesitation. however, I understand it’s a strong statement to limit ourselves in such a way and still be sure. I have since divested from Spotify as well, even though my friends and family still primarily use it. I encourage everyone to do their research on what works best for them, and to find us on platforms like Deezer, Apple Music, Qobuz and more.
Why did you choose to lead with ‘Worth It (is it?)’ as your debut single?
Nadia: It was ready first.
Jett: To piggyback on Nadia, it also felt like a great introduction to bratlash. Because this song has elements of grunge, and heavy rock with a punk delivery of the vocal it felt like a statement on who we are. It is also the most accessible song we’ve released in the sense that anyone can play it, even if you don’t know how to play guitar. I wrote the riff simple on purpose, and it’s something I’ve always loved about punk because it truly is music by and for the people. I was also going through a really tough breakup at the time this was released, and the song is a reflection of me at the time. So, in my own petty way, it was my fuck you to my ex and a statement on how successful and well I’m doing without them in my life.
What's the one thing you wish you had known when you started this band?
Jett: The importance of being flexible and allowing the songs and band to evolve however it wants to. Anytime I thought something was falling apart, it fell together better than I could imagine.
Photo credit: @MattBassmedia
Is there one unexpected sound or production choice on the EP that came from pure DIY experimentation?
Jett: During tracking does that OFFEND u? overdubs with Nadia, we were adding guitar layers on the last chorus and overloaded the preamp on the Neve, so it made a nasty crunchy explosive sound. I remember we looked at each other concerned and were like WHAT WAS THAT?! Then we listened back to the track and heard it and thought it was sick because of all the found sounds we like to incorporate, as well as the story of the song. So, we decided to turn it way the fuck up. That ended up informing how I mixed the song, and especially the ending. Also, the acoustic guitar on that song happened because I was in a songwriting masterclass that forced me to play the song on acoustic only for feedback. The guitar I had with me was not set up in drop B tuning, which is what I play my baritone in. The guitar sounded buzzy and fucked up, but it gave the song so much character. So, we decided to build the record around the acoustic guitar and I’m so grateful that happened because it really makes it for me.
What would you say is the most dad-disappointing lyric on your EP?
Nadia: From “RIP”, “Wearin’ Prada and Gucci as they step on our rights”.
Jett: On “does that OFFEND u?”, I think it would be “As I paint our family portrait with turpentine”.
Photo credit: @MattBassmedia
How does your grassroots work with housing advocacy feed into the themes of collective healing and transmutation?
Jett: I think a big part of healing is awareness. You can’t heal things if they aren’t exposed. My housing advocacy work as been very personal as I’ve experienced housing that was neglected and I got physically sick from that and it forced a medically necessary relocation and possibly permanent damage to my voice and health. I was homeless for over a month during the release and recordings of the EP and our next songs coming out. I think sharing that story with anyone and everyone I met in Boston helped me see how big of a problem safe and affordable housing is here. My work with City Life/Vida Urbana connected me with community and many others facing similar discriminatory and often times even worse conditions. I met so many people in Boston and Cambridge experiencing similar things, and the city entities and politicians run their elections with safe and fair housing as a big part of their campaign and then do nothing to enforce the state laws. From my experience in Cambridge with this, even after getting Mayor Siddiqui involved as well as the Attorney General, Housing Inspectional Services and the Health Department, because I was constructively evicted and moved out they said they couldn’t help me. They kept directing me to different people and put me on a wild goose chase - but that is how capitalism pervades and how patriarchy works. This all thrives on keeping things hidden behind city doors which is exactly what Cambridge did. How can the collective heal without access to safe housing and food? These are basic human rights. But the people who are up in mansions making decisions for everyone don’t have the collective’s well being at heart.
So for bratlash, the exposure of problematic systems and the community element at our shows is how we hope to provide safe spaces for marginalized people, especially BIPOC, queer and trans folks. Making the music has helped heal me personally and I’ve changed for the better because of bratlash. If it helps anyone else, and I hope it does - then I am successful.
One song by another artist that you wish you had written?
Nadia: That is such a hard question. I feel like I can’t just pick one, but if I have to choose its “Houseplants” by Squid. I love that they aren’t afraid to be weird.
Jett: “The Wretched” by Nine Inch Nails. The song has gotten me through hard times more than I can count, and, I aspire to have music that impactful.
Photo credit: @MattBassmedia
If you could erase one band from history to make room for yourselves, who would it be?
Nadia: This is an evil question and I feel like I don’t have much hatred in my soul. But, if I had to answer, it’s the dude that does too many flips - I think his name is Benson Boone. Leave the backflipping to P!nk and Fergie.
Jett: I know she’s getting a lot of hate right now, and this is not a trending answer because I have felt this way as long as I’ve known of her music. It’s gotta be Taylor Swift. Come at me Swifties - I’ll meet you in the parking lot.
Nadia: I would like to make it known that I agree. While I grew up on first few albums via my sister, I could live without her music past 2017.
Anyone you'd like to thank for their support?
Jett: My community here in Boston, Portland and Dallas. Especially Nadia for pouring her heart and soul into bratlash and pushing me to dig into parts of myself and creating a safe space for that, and the forever friendship that blossomed from that. Zach Hunhoff, Ben Gentil, Julian Hoot, Johnny Levine and Gabbie Quinones for their dedication to their craft and making bratlash so incredible, silly and fun. Any and all engineers, producers and artists who have been a part of our music directly or indirectly. My queer and punk family I also want to express gratitude for our fans and anyone who has come up to me before or after a show to say hello. The personal connections really mean a lot to me and keep me going. The heavy music scene in New England. Thank you to Bikini Kill, X-Ray Spex and Poly Styrene, Prince, Bad Religion, and any femme thats been brave enough to get up on the stage and be themselves no matter the consequences. I also want to thank myself for being courageous and not giving up on bratlash even when things in my life got tough.
Nadia Lee: First of all Jett for believing in me and trusting me to create bratlash together, being vulnerable with me in the studio, and being my queer family along with my best friend Nicholas and Django. Second, the band: Ben Gentil, Zach Hunhoff, Johnny Levine, Julian Hoot and Gabbie Quinones. Django Beaudoin and Ethan Tan because they’ve been at every recording session of mine, period. I also wanna thank my mom for telling me to turn music down and that the noisy shit I am listening to is giving her a headache. It pushed me to continue to listen to the music I love, and heavy music has helped me get through a lot of big things in my youth. I don’t feel the depth of emotions I do listening to other genres. I also want to thank myself for dropping out of my previous college to go into professional music, and give up a stable future to follow what I love for the rest of my life.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bratlash4ever/
Bandcamp: http://bratlash.bandcamp.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bratlash4ever
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bratlash/1893462247
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bratlash4ever
Substack: https://bratlash4ever.substack.com/?r=8j67x1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567508935127
Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/bratlash/bratlash/ALh7khvvlzb6grk
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bratlash/sets/bratlash?si=35b43e23f008494197db33378dc6a2a4
Tidal: https://tidal.com/album/535025809
Audiomack: https://audiomack.com/bratlash
iheartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/artist/bratlash-50404159
Idioteq Interview: https://idioteq.com/bratlash-debut-ep-discuss-power-transmutation