Song of the Day: Diet Cig - Tummy Ache

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Tummy Ache” by Diet Cig, from their upcoming 2017 album, Swear I’m Good At This, due April 7th on Frenchkiss Records.Diet Cig - Tummy Ache (MP3)

One of Diet Cig’s friends was trying to quit smoking when said he needed a “diet cigarette.” Alex Luciano and Noah Bowman said they’d be his diet cigarette if they could coin the phrase as their band name. Diet Cig is out of New Paltz, New York, and are known for their unpretentious, honest lyrics that range from rambling about the struggles of moving into your first apartment to ranting about lame ex-boyfriends. After two years of non-stop touring, they’ve released the first single from their upcoming debut full-length record, Swear I’m Good At This.

In “Tummy Ache,” vocalist Alex Luciano takes on the task of describing the feeling of approaching punk with softness, and the struggle when it’s not always read as being powerful enough. In the same vein, Luciano also talks about her experiences of being a woman in the punk scene. “My stomach hurts,” Luciano sings, “cause it’s hard to be a punk while wearing a skirt.” It’s reminiscent of their previous songs, using a sharp riff, catchy hook and thoughts on present day young life, but “Tummy Ache” sheds light on a stronger, harder subject in the punk scene.

Diet Cig will be playing Barboza on April 18th, and tickets are still available here. In the meantime, keep up with their website and Facebook page for any album and tour updates. For now, watch the teaser video for their upcoming album, dropping April 7th, below.