Following their five-year hiatus, the San Diego-based trio, Rain on Fridays, has just
released their sophomore album, Death to Affection, on Oct. 18, which is now available
for streaming on all platforms.
Between the melodic singing, powerful screams and their dynamic alternative and
garage-punk sound, the band’s latest full-length record, introspectively explores raw
vulnerability and genuine connection amid external conflicts and superficiality.
With the recent release of Death to Affection, pursuing the forward momentum this
release has gained, Rain on Fridays is currently hitting the road alongside the band
THICK for an early October run on the West Coast. I had the pleasure of catching up
with lead vocalist and bassist Maddie Coe, alongside guitarist and vocalist Jesse Miller,
to discuss their upcoming album, the progression of their sound and the experiences
shaping their current tour.
Reflecting on the chance to perform for new audiences and share the stage with bands
like Sluttony and THICK, Coe expressed her excitement for returning to cities they
haven’t frequently played, noting, “I think the most exciting part for me is playing in
these new areas, like Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, and Boise,” she said. “I love
California—don’t get me wrong—but it’s nice to be able to play in new places because it
takes a lot to get out there.”
Beyond the thrill of traveling out of state, playing in alluring venues like Boise’s Shrine
Basement and performing for new audiences who are finally experiencing the album in
full, both artists are energized for the upcoming shows. The trio’s excitement is matched
by their eagerness to share the stage with Brooklyn-based punk trio THICK and to
connect with other femme-fronted bands, a camaraderie that Coe finds both inspiring
and necessary in today’s music scene. As she explained, “Whenever we get to play
shows with other bands, I learn something from them—whether it’s the way they
perform or just making friends with everyone.”
Coe also emphasized the importance of femme representation in alternative music,
observing that these connections are especially meaningful due to the scarcity of such
groups in San Diego. “I guess I do wish, specifically in San Diego, there were a lot more
femme-fronted groups. I feel like it’s very uncommon. I can’t even name that many
bands out of San Diego that are femme-fronted… But there are so many more out there
now, which is really nice. And the more that I talk to people about it, the more I hear
about them, which is exciting.”
With only the LA date under their belt for this tour, Coe and Miller shared their goals for
the upcoming performances as they prepare to debut Death to Affection live. For Coe,
the focus is on finally sharing the album in full after years of preparation. “We’ve been
sitting on it for so long, and I’m just so excited to play it and see how the audience
responds,” she shared. She explained that the album’s “punky and
rough-around-the-edges” sound should bring a raw energy to each set, offering
longtime fans and new listeners a more fun, dynamic and spirited show experience.
Miller echoed this sentiment, emphasizing her hope for audiences to feel fully absorbed
in each performance. “No specific goals,” she said, “but I just want them to enjoy their
performance and live in the moment, maybe get involved with the energy of the album.”
Their shared aim to foster an environment where fans can engage with the music’s
intensity, feel a sense of connection and be actively involved with each song, aligns
directly with the experience encapsulated by the new record. It feels as though each
track invites listeners to experience Death to Affection not only as an album but as a
collective experience, or an intimate reflection of the band’s personal journeys bringing
them to where they are now.
With the release of Death to Affection on October 24, the conversation naturally shifted
to the album’s storyline both lyrically, musically and even recording and production-wise.
Coe and Miller offered insights into the album’s overarching concepts, particularly the
significance of personal empowerment and navigating emotional complexities.
“Some of the themes that personally stand out to me are about standing up for yourself
and dealing with emotional and mental challenges. It’s about how to handle really heavy
emotions or difficult situations in life. A lot of it is kind of an output of anger too, but in a
healthy way—like literally saying, ‘I’m going to feel my feelings.’ It’s also a rejection of
superficial behavior. Overall, I feel like it’s very much about standing up for yourself in a
weird way, putting yourself first,” Coe explained.
They also reflected on their experiences during the gap which significantly influenced
the creation of Death to Affection. This period of introspection, in confronting personal
and artistic challenges, is woven throughout the album, resulting in a body of work that
emphasizes authenticity and emotional honesty. Their approach to songwriting is
evident in each track, which serves as a cathartic exploration of the struggles and
triumphs they have faced, ultimately resonating deeply with listeners.
The second track, “Cry It Out,” captures the urgency of confronting emotions head-on.
Its chorus echoes a relatable message about the importance of addressing feelings
without allowing them to be all-consuming or overwhelming to a point of no return: “Just
cry it out but as fast as you can, cuz life still goes on you don’t wanna get scammed.
Trust me, I don’t have all the answers. I’m no better than anyone, No better than
anyone…”
Alternating from her staple, desperate and gritty scream, lead singer, Maddie Coe, softly
vocalizes the chorus, delivering a raw, relatable message about the urgency of facing
emotions without letting them consume you. Coe’s addition of a softer vocal approach
on this track reveals a different side, balancing intense vulnerability with a
forward-looking perspective.
As the conversation turned to audience feedback regarding their recent drop, Coe and
Miller expressed their surprise and gratitude at the overwhelmingly positive response to
their new material.
“Honestly, I’ve definitely noticed that out of all the songs we’ve released so far, ‘So Alike’
is the most well-received,” Coe remarked. “I’m really surprised that people are so open
to this new sound. Back in the day, if you did any sort of genre switch, your fans would
eat you alive,” she noted, highlighting how the music landscape has shifted to allow for
more experimentation.
Acknowledging the current trend of blending genres, specifically with the band
implementing rock and grungier influences on this new record and being more musically
progressive and explorative than in the past, Miller added, “I feel like it still happens
quite a lot, especially when the hyper-pop wave was coming,” she explained. “A lot of
people were bringing in different elements, which I thought was super cool, but many
were like, ‘I don’t like it.’”
This openness to experimentation seems to have resonated with their audience, as Coe
pointed out: “Overall, I’m surprised that people are really responding positively to it. I’m
happy that even older fans are liking the newer stuff because it is very different.”
Despite this positivity, they both acknowledged that not every listener may embrace the
new direction. “But you know there will always be people who say, ‘Damn, this sucks,’”
Miller said. “At that point, it’s whatever. You can’t please everyone.”
Coe added, “Everyone has been super supportive about it,” emphasizing the support
within their fanbase, even if they are still a localized band. “We’re not really getting a big
scale of input on it since we’re still kind of on the smaller side. Who knows what it would
be like if we were a bit bigger and hearing a ton of other opinions?”
With both excitement and humility, Coe and Miller are clearly navigating this new
chapter with the understanding that growth—both personal and artistic—can be met
with varying responses. As they continue to tour and share Death to Affection, they
remain committed to fostering a genuine connection with their audience, inviting them to
join in on their evolving journey.
As we wrapped up our Zoom conversation, the band expressed their gratitude to fans
and new listeners: “We wouldn’t be able to make music if people didn’t listen…I hope
people know that [we’re] very grateful for them listening and caring about our music. It
means a lot.”
Be sure to catch Rain on Fridays on tour and stream their new album, Death to
Affection, available on all platforms.