Earlier this month indie rockers Slow Fiction released dollhouse, their 11-track debut LP which had FLOOD Magazine saying, “[Slow Fiction] specialize in breezy, dreamy power-pop as banged out by a five-person lineup that inevitably presents a denser sound than many of their peers.” And earlier this week the New York City quintet kicked off a run of dates opening for alt-rock legends Swervedriver that will have them at our very own Underground Arts this coming Thursday, August 27th. I recently got a chance to chat with Slow Fiction singer Julia Vassallo about the band’s debut album, some of her favorite debut albums, and the man who made Eraserhood famous… among other things…
Izzy Cihak: You just dropped your debut full-length, dollhouse. How do you feel like this collection compares to your previous EPs?
Julia Vassallo: It feels like we’ve gotten to the point of being really comfortable with our songwriting, while still challenging ourselves. For the album, we had a lot of fun with certain instrumental arrangements and choices while we were in the studio, and were passionate about continuing with that mindset. In previous work, we were focused maybe more on capturing a live feeling, whereas here, we definitely shifted focus intentionally to building the songs more while recording.
Izzy: I know the album was mixed by Sonny DiPerri, who’s worked with so many amazing artists, like Blackwater Holylight, Milly, Portugal. The Man, and STRFKR. How was it having him work on your music? Were you previously fans?
Julia: Shoutout Sonny, working with him was one of the best parts of finishing this record. We went and worked with him in LA for a few days, and it really solidified the cohesiveness of the sound. We were big fans of his work already, so it was a great privilege.
Izzy: The album dropped courtesy of Tight Knit, which I know is a brand-new label. Is this their first full-length? What can you tell us about the label? Does it have something to do with Sonny DiPerri? I only ask because I know he also mixed the upcoming Hannah Cole album.
Julia: Yeah, we’re the first record to come out of Tight Knit, which is super exciting — everyone on the team is legendary. It’s brought to you by the same folks that do Many Hats Endeavors and Wax Bodega, they’re just the best.
Izzy: Some artists hate questions like this but, considering this is your first LP, I’m curious if you have any favorite debut LPs of music history?
Julia: Debut by Björk… Modest Mouse with This Is A Long Drive For Someone with Nothing to Think About. Starlite Walker by Silver Jews… Fever To Tell by Yeah Yeah Yeahs. There are so many more… The Fun of Watching Fireworks by American Analog Set.
Izzy: Have you had any favorite early reactions to the music of dollhouse, whether things that have been written about it or just things fans have reached out to tell you? A lot of major publications seem to be really digging the singles, but I know you’d been playing earlier/unfinished versions of some of the songs live for a while now.
Julia: It’s mainly nice to see people have any sort of reaction to them at all. You know, we’ve done our end of the process and created something, and now it belongs to whoever chooses to listen and love, hate, feel apathetic towards it. That’s the beauty of it all.
Izzy: This is sort of related, but you played a number of shows throughout May and June. What were some of the highlights or standout moments of those gigs?
Julia: We had a great time at those shows with Vundabar and Wet Leg, getting to play the album on the road pre-release and see real time feedback was cool. I feel like we all remember our gig at The Black Cat in DC being so energetic on this past run, everyone was just down to be involved and a part of the set as audience members, which is memorable.
Izzy: And you’re about to embark on a couple weeks of dates with Swervedriver, who are obviously legends. How excited are you about that? Are you fans of the band?
Julia: We’re big fans of Swervedriver and we have been looking forward to it. Being a part of them celebrating the anniversary of their debut as well is so cool.
Izzy: What can be expected of the live show when you play Underground Arts? I always manage to miss you when you’re in Philly, but I’ll definitely be there this time around!
Julia: Expect no front lights… mostly songs from the record, and one new one that we wrote a few weeks ago.
Izzy: Do you have a favorite type of venue to play at this point? You’ve played some really DIY venues, some kind of “normal” “indie” venues, but then also some really major festivals and some really big rooms when you were supporting pretty huge bands. Are there certain things about a venue that you think make for the best experiences? This is a 650-cap punk/metal basement, which is actually my favorite room in the city.
Julia: There’s merit to playing in all types of spaces, and it challenges us to think about how to make the best use of each space we play. I feel like the good mark of music you love is being able to see it in any space and enjoying it… I’ve had some favorite concert going experiences both at a cafe in Ridgewood and then at Glastonbury, and everything in between. Totally looking forward to Underground Arts.
Izzy: Actually, the venue is in a neighborhood we call Eraserhood, because it’s the neighborhood that inspired David Lynch’s Erasehead when he lived here many moons ago. Do you have any thoughts on David Lynch or favorite works of his? I think I saw somewhere (probably Twitter) that you’re a fan?
Julia: I am a big Lynch fan… was just reminiscing on watching The Elephant Man as a child and just being absolutely wrecked by it. In terms of a current favorite, Inland Empire is seriously a masterpiece and I think some themes from that film really resonate with my thoughts on voyeurism and perspective.
Izzy: On a related note, you’ve always put out really cool music videos. I especially love “junior year,” “Brother,” and “Apollo,” which all remind me of videos from the best kinds of bands you’d discover on 120 Minutes in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s. What kinds of things tend to most inspire the visual elements of Slow Fiction?
Julia: Thank you! Yeah we get inspired from watching old music videos, skate videos, artists we find online that we think are cool, and just think about ways to make something similar happen, while still maintaining our own vibe.
Izzy: Your currently announced shows wrap in September with the Otis Mountain Get Down (whose lineup is amazing; I love Kassie Carlson and Guerilla Toss!), so I’m curious what you’re hoping and planning for Slow Fiction in the last quarter of 2026?
Julia: Yeah we are stoked for that… going to be camping up there. But yeah, rest of the year, gonna be getting back to finishing writing another record, then hopefully recording… will be playing more.
*Get your tickets here.
**Listen for Slow Fiction on the August edition of Philthy Radio on Y-Not Radio.
