French Vanilla

French Vanilla is a feminist art-punk band based in Los Angeles consisting of members Max Albeck (drums), Ali Day (guitar/bass), Sally Spitz (vocals), and Daniel Trautfield (bass/sax). They regulate the dance floor with socially sensitive lyrics, vocal freneticism, punchy basslines, and catchy sax.

Half-driven by a desire to challenge the established SoCal music scene, dominated by a few influential (male) tastemakers, and half by a desire to hang out with friends, FV started in LA’s queer punk underground and it is in these spaces that they feel the most at home. The band's ideology assumes the generative nature of women’s and/or BFF’s collaboration, and they hope to spread this message until all dude-rock bands cease to exist. more than anything, fv wants you to have fun at their shows and they deliver performances filled with infectious energy and enthusiasm.

Out now on Danger Collective records, French Vanilla’s debut album of dance-driven post punk showcases a wide range of musical influences and social critiques. Written by the band in singer Sally Spitz’s Los Angeles living room, the songs contain elements of disco, jazz and other dance genres, keeping them energetic while considering often heavy topics. The lead single “Carrie” explores coming of age as a woman through the lens of the horror classic. Other songs delve into fear of global climate change (“Anti-aging Global Warming”); the daily misogyny and dangers of life as a woman (“Mother’s Love”, “Heavy Handed”); and struggles with everyday social relations while promoting female empowerment (“Evolution of a Friendship”, “Honesty”).