CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE ARTISTS WE CAUGHT AT ECHO PARK RISING
ECHO PARK, CA- The Blushes, a fierce all-female punk band from Los Angeles, consists of Katie Earl-Hogan, Katy Rose, and Lori Dorfman. Their journey began during a middle school theater camp, and their bond has grown over the years, culminating in the formation of this unapologetically raw punk powerhouse. Last year, I saw them perform, though the lineup was a bit different, and Katie was particularly pregnant. Katy was absent, and in her place, Katie’s husband, Josh Hogan, who plays in The Mowglis, stepped in on guitar. Despite this adjustment, the band didn’t miss a beat, delivering an electrifying energy and punk spirit that captivated me.
I was finally able to catch the band as a complete unit at Echo Park Rising, and that performance was fantastic. The trio channeled relentless energy and made for the most dynamic live performances I saw that day. Their music reflects their ethos of empowerment and self-care, embodying a new wave of intersectional punk feminism that challenges traditional expectations of women in the music industry and that just made their music that much more engaging. It was a perfect blend of punk rawness and melodic finesse, reminiscent of influences like Bikini Kill and Babes in Toyland but with their distinct twist. Their performances radiate joy and intensity, making them stand out in LA’s punk scene. As someone deeply drawn to punk’s anarchic energy, I’ve been hooked on The Blushes since the moment I first saw/heard them, and their Echo Park Rising performance just confirmed whatever biases I had.
I was able to catch up with the trio recently, and they let me throw a few questions their way. Enjoy!
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BLURRED CULTURE: Katie, you’ve recently become a mother. What’s it been like balancing the demands of raising a newborn and being in a punk band?
KATIE EARL-HOGAN: Becoming a mother is the most punk rock thing I’ve ever done in my life, so in that aspect, being a mother fits right into my lifestyle. My ability to balance anything anymore stems from the fact that I am supported by community: between my sisters in The Blushes and my amazing partner and husband, I’m able to accomplish a lot. It truly takes a village. Without their love and support, I wouldn’t even be able to focus on this interview. Community makes all things possible.
BC: Lori, your artwork is a huge part of the band’s identity. What inspires your visual art, and how does it intersect with your music?
LORI DORFMAN: Most importantly, I am so honored that my work is embraced by the band and gets to be used by the band. For me, music and visuals have always been so deeply interconnected, I couldn’t imagine separating them. From the beginning, it’s been important for us to be independent, and the artwork is an extension of that. We’re DIY, so we do it all.
BC: Katy, you’ve posted a lot of nostalgic throwbacks on social media. What sets The Blushes apart from your previous experience?
KATY ROSE: The Blushes is unlike any musical project I have been involved in because it is a three-piece band of all women. It’s insane to realize how rare that is! In the 2000s, when I was working on my early solo career, I toured with Liz Phair on the “Chicks with Attitude Tour.” Even on a tour marketed as “all women,” there were only 4 women out of 30 musicians. The Blushes is also a band that values the mental and physical health of its artists above all else. I’ve been working in the music business for 24 years, and the fact that I get to play in a band that cares about my head and heart is kind of the most punk and radical part of The Blushes. I feel very lucky!
BC: Punk has always been about rebellion and pushing boundaries. How do you see The Blushes continuing that tradition while also carving your own path?
THE BLUSHES: We don’t believe “punk” is merely a scene, look, or sound. Punk is a lifestyle of pushing boundaries, challenging systems, and searching for truth and meaning amongst all the lies. We live that way, so our music follows suit. Our musical goals are to tell our personal truths and speak up against any systems trying to hold us, or anyone, down. Not everything we put out is “traditionally punk,” but our intentions are rooted in that lifestyle. The most punk thing about The Blushes is that we don’t strive to appear punk like many others do. We wear bows and glitter, embracing our feminism, because we know the most punk things are being yourself and being a girl.
BC: There’s a fierce energy to your live performances. How do you channel that raw emotion when you’re on stage?
BLUSHES: We feel at home on stage. It’s our safe place, especially when we’re together. Feeding off each other’s energy, the music, and watching the audience take in what we’re saying is our life source. If we can take a collective break from the horrors of the outside world, even for a little bit, and get lost in the music and energy, we feel alive. That’s our fuel.
BC: Los Angeles has always been a hotbed for punk. How do you feel connected to the city’s punk history, and what’s your place in it?
BLUSHES: Los Angeles is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, and with that comes a sense of unity. The system here is corrupt, the streets are dirty, and people are struggling to make their dreams come true—yet it remains beautiful and hopeful. These are the conditions great art, and punk in particular, are born from. LA is a part of us, and we are a part of it. It’s home.
BC: What I love about your live performances is the humor and camaraderie between you all on stage. Is the levity born out of necessity because of the heavy subject matter in the music?
BLUSHES: Absolutely. There’s so much to be angry about in the world today, especially as women, but we’ve learned that being a screaming woman isn’t always the best way to be heard. We could cry and scream, or we can laugh it off, unite, and carry the weight of it together, maybe even with a smile. A Blushes show isn’t the time to feel down—it’s a time to come together and face the horrors of the world, united.
BC: What’s been the most challenging aspect of being an all-female punk band in today’s music industry?
BLUSHES: The same challenges as always: not being taken as seriously as men. There are countless mediocre men out there whose art is amplified, but women have to be perfect. But we love a challenge, and we’re used to dealing with sexism. We have each other to lean on, so we’re not worried about it anymore.
BC: How do each of you define success for the band—are there particular milestones you’re aiming for?
BLUSHES: If we can make music and share it for a living, we’ve succeeded. If we remain free to be ourselves, we’ve succeeded. If our music empowers someone, we’ve succeeded. If even one more young girl picks up an instrument because of us, we’ve succeeded.
The punk scene can be notoriously insular. How do you reach beyond that and connect with listeners who might not identify with punk?
We don’t worry about that. We just do our thing for anyone who enjoys it, but mostly for ourselves. We don’t feel tied down by any genres or titles.
BC: What’s your songwriting process like? Does everyone contribute equally, or do certain members take the lead?
BLUSHES: We all contribute equally. Sometimes we bring individual ideas to the table, and other times we write together from scratch. Both approaches have been successful and fulfilling.
BC: What’s next for The Blushes? Are there any upcoming tours, new music, or projects we should know about?
BLUSHES: We have a new song coming out in November, and we’re in the process of recording our second body of work. This chapter reflects our growth and feels natural. We have no fear about where we’re headed artistically or in life, and the new music reflects that.
Follow The Blushes on X and Instagram.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE ARTISTS WE CAUGHT AT ECHO PARK RISING
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LIVE CLIPS
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE ARTISTS WE CAUGHT AT ECHO PARK RISING
