Today, King Princess – singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/producer/actor Mikaela Straus – dropped her latest single, “Cherry,” the follow-up to LP #3, Girl Violence, which hit shelves last month via section1. The song is named for King Princess’ archnemesis, “a large busted, cartoon stone fruit that has tried to thwart KPs advances at every turn.” (Listen to Lisa Rinna’s commentary on the rivalry for CUNT… that’s Cherry Universal Network Television.) “This song feels like the perfect resolution to Girl Violence – the cherry on top, if you will. It’s about yearning for someone toxic, but ultimately choosing yourself,” Straus has said of the track. King Princess has spent the past two weekends playing Austin City Limits 2025, and next weekend she kicks off her headlining tour behind Girl Violence, including a November 1st stop at Union Transfer, which we would definitely recommend checking out. Here are Three Reasons why…
1. GREAT WAY TO EXTEND SPOOKY SZN
The night prior, Purity Ring will be hosting Union Transfer’s official Halloween celebration, but November 1st is a Saturday, and I’m guessing everyone is planning on still being in their Halloween styles and spirits, and the sounds of Girl Violence are actually quite well-suited for the season. “Girl violence is very sneaky… It’s not physical, it’s deeply emotional, spiritual, and spooky. Women are both amazing and sinister—including myself,” King Princess has said of the album’s sentiments, while Rolling Stone characterized the collection as, “Songs that bloom and twist around themselves, echoing the fear and delight and increasing clear-eyedness that came along with each fresh experience.” (Listen for Girl Violence’s spookiest track tonight, on the October/Halloween edition of Philthy Radio, 9-11pm ET on Y-Not Radio.)
2. IT’S THE MOST INTIMATE SHOW SHE’S PLAYED IN THE 215 IN ALMOST A DECADE
King Princess’ last two headlining shows in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection (2023 and 2019) have had her in the 2,500-capacity Fillmore, and in-between she even provided direct support for Kacey Musgraves at the arena, so the 1,300-capacity Union Transfer will actually be a relatively cozy setting for the [newly] independent pop artist to premiere her picking-up-the-pieces album, which chronicles her moving on from a relationship, city, and musical institution… among other things…
3. THE SUPPORT IS JUST AS GREAT
Opening the evening is our dear phriend SASAMI, who will actually be making her third stop in Eraserhood in support of her third LP and formal experiment with pop music, Blood on the Silver Screen (She premiered nearly half of the album while supporting Destroy Boys at UT last November, before bringing the full show to Underground Arts this May, following the album’s March release.) Read my April chat with Sasami Ashworth about exploring pop music, putting on a show, and quirkiness in Philadelphia.
*Get your tickets here.
