Headbanging their way through venues across Ohio, Girl Cologne, an alternative rock band from Cleveland, has carved out an inclusive space within the local rock scene.
The four members, Jenna Seeman (singer/songwriter), Caden Cubbison (guitarist), Spencer Kmiecik (bassist) and Parker Disalvo (drummer), met through School of Rock, eventually forming Girl Cologne, whose name is a reference to Caden once forgetting the word for perfume.
Since then, Girl Cologne has released over a dozen songs, performed at multiple Pride events like Pride in the CLE, Stonewall Columbus Pride, and Akron Pride, and played at notable venues like Mahall’s. In the past few years, they’ve built a small but mighty fan base, especially within the LGBTQ+ community in Cleveland and beyond.
For the band, being a welcoming presence in the punk/indie-rock genre has meant as much to them as it’s meant for their audience. “Personally, it is like a breath of fresh air to walk into a new venue and have people who actually look like me, and I feel like I wouldn’t feel unsafe talking to,” says Jenna. “ As much as the audience finds like comfort in that, it’s the same comfort that we feel, you know?”
Echoing that sentiment, Spencer explains that in the broader Ohio area, “ it’s nice to be able to experience the acceptance that we do experience while also being something that the state probably needs in terms of representation.
“ I feel like in Ohio specifically it’s definitely needed.”
But being a safe space for queer representation comes naturally to the four-piece. As Spencer puts it, “we’re just being who we are.”
Pictures provided by Girl Cologne
Jenna says that her inspiration for Girl Cologne’s latest singles, “Subtweet” and “Crash,” comes from an authentic place of reflection, “almost like giving myself advice.” The words practically write themselves, as she learns more about herself through her writing.
When asked to classify their music, the band offered words like “bubble grunge,” “diet grunge,” and even “a complete contradiction.” “We have a softness, but also a heaviness, and I feel like we can marry those well”, says Jenna. 🔥
Picture provided by Girl Cologne
IGNITE ACTION
- See Girl Cologne at their upcoming concerts: July 16 @ the Switchboard Toledo, July 17 @ Mercury Lounge CLE
- Follow them on socials: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube
- Stream “Subtweet”, “Crash”, and others on Spotify or Apple Music
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