Rock Meets Dreamland: Daire on Headlining the Hit Parader

At eighteen years old, Daire will be headlining the Hit Parader, a Nashville venue tied to the influential Hit Parader rock/metal magazine most active in the latter half of the 20^th century.

“We’re bringing butterflies to the mosh pit,” Daire states. Wearing a black AC/DC T-shirt with the neck cut out as we hop on a video call, Daire is edgy but relaxed. I note this because few things fascinate me more, artistically, than contradictions. Daire has the fairy image, but specializes in riotgrrrl pop, a rebellious pop-rock subgenre featuring inspirations like Hole, Alanis Morisette, and Joan Jett. The subgenre is, first and foremost, for women, but Daire makes it very clear that anyone can and should listen to it regardless of race, gender, sexual preference, etc. Riotgrrrl women push the expectations of finding a middle ground in presentation that falls between fascinatingly controversial and unacceptable. I point out a recent cover Daire did of Hole’s “Doll Parts”. Hole is a controversial band for being fronted by the widely hated Courtney Love, but I explain my personal appreciation for the singer. Daire agrees, “She's an incredible artist, and you have to respect her for the art that she's made. And I think that people tend to attack women a lot more than they tend to attack just as problematic, if not more, male artists, which is really unfortunate.”

Daire, photo by Whitney Otte

She believes in the power of women to “find that common ground of rocking out and being a little bit imperfect and a little bit messy from time to time”, an especially important thing in a divided world.

“The beauty about being able to be a headliner, which again, [I’m] still so floored and grateful for, is that I get to quite literally bare my entire soul to you,” she says. At her show, there will be covers, originals, unreleased songs, and a special guest that Daire hints “is quite the live wire on stage, and I'm pretty sure the Belmont [University] community is going to be very excited that I have invited her to perform.” Daire smirks to indicate that she’s being modest.

Daire, photo by Whitney Otte

She also greatly appreciates the other artists playing sets surrounding her set. She previously performed a live cover of Wheatus’s “Teenage Dirtbag” with Presley Faulkner. The two first met while Faulkner was working at the Belmont Bruin Gift Shop. Faulkner was one of the people that convinced Daire to commit to the university.

Of Skylar Love, Daire chatters, “I have been developing the biggest cyber crush on her musically because her music is so cool. It is just – it’s so raw and edgy, and there's something so, like… it's like Hayley Williams, but just, with a lot more, like, rage and grit.” She adds an appreciation for Love’s pink hair. Daire has done hair tinsel before, but Love is “slightly convincing” her to take the full leap.

A promotional poster for the Hit Parader show

Likewise, she compares artistry to being a tumbleweed, picking up little things from everyone you meet along the way, which is part of the charm of the abundance of artists in Nashville. After years of observing the performing styles of established artists like Prince and falling for riotgrrrl artists like Bikini Kill and Veruca Salt, she can now learn from artists she co-headlines with. Her performing with a special guest makes this point all the more powerful; no matter how early you are in your career, you can always help lift others up.

As our conversation ends, I’m ecstatic to attend this show. Are you not convinced enough to attend? Daire’s show at the Hit Parader is free. More information is available here. Keep up with Daire online here.

Daire donning butterfly boots, photo by Whitney Otte