Meet Fatal Femmes at CHBP
Capitol Hill Block Party is one of Seattle’s biggest events of the year. The event brings in tons of artists from around the country to perform in one of the U.S.’s most iconic neighborhoods. With that, local acts are also invited to perform and bring their talent to the big stage. I was lucky enough to get to sit down and talk with local act Fatal Femmes and see them bring their gritty, rock-and-roll-inspired act to Barboza. One of the newest emerging bands from Seattle, Fatal Femmes started back in September of ‘25 when singer and lead songwriter Zoey Gulottaa moved to Seattle and began performing after writing her songs in Boston. With this transition, Gulottaa has begun bringing Fatal Femmes to the masses, gaining support from the DIY and underground punk communities before having any songs on streaming platforms.
In our interview, Gulottaa talks about how the band came to be, what fans can expect in the future, and why you should come to a Fatal Femmes show.
How did the “Fatal Femmes” come to be?
Well, I went to school in Boston, … I had been a part of a few different bands that weren’t like fully my own. [It] helped me develop my stage presence and the way that I perform. But throughout that time, I started writing a lot more songs that I thought really started defining what my sound would be. I had to start something that was my own. I can’t stop performing!
When I first started the band, my lineup in Boston was all women or non-binary people that were very femme presenting, except for one, which was also a guitarist with long hair. Our logo is barbed wire, but also roses; everything kind of plays into this Fatal Femmes theme. Along with us, even though not everyone here like all identifies as women, everyone here is very feminine as people. I think we all embody that a lot. The values are important.
What should people expect from the band in the future?
Well, we worked on four music videos. We are working on our debut album. So far, we’ve recorded half of it, and we’re going back to the studio at the end of October to record the other half.
How are you guys feeling to play Capitol Hill Block Party?
The band gave numerous answers, but a resounding plea of excitement, anticipation, and a sort of calmness was around for everyone. The Femmes are excited to break out into the festival scene, but also to bring their own unique experiences and tastes to an audience that might not otherwise catch a Fatal Femmes show.
What should people expect from your show?
I think they should look forward to maybe feeling a bit surprised, open to something that feels very new and unlike others, but at the same time very classic in feeling. Says Zoey.
Start to finish, it’s one piece. Just a continuous kind of in your face, but also atmospheric at the same time. Says Jameson (2nd guitar).
People coming to the show should expect to dance the whole time. We got a very energetic set, and we like a lot of audience interaction. It’s just a really good time, and we do really pay attention to the details of our set. So it’s definitely an experience. Says Cassius (Bass).
Fatal Femmes performed on Sunday for CHBP at Barboza. The venue slowly filled with eager music enjoyers, waiting to hear the Femmes go on. Once the crew had appeared on stage, it felt like the whole audience was captivated. Femmes’ performance is instantaneously magnetic. From the moment the first note was played, the audience had already moved closer to the stage to catch the action. Fatal Femmes has many songs inspired by modern struggles that many of our generation face today. From complex topics like what it’s like to be a woman, to dealing with student loans. Many of the Femmes’ songs can reach you on so many different levels.
Zoey’s energy on stage is non-stop. She is constantly switching instruments, running into band members, and even going out into the crowd to part them for a mosh pit. The songs jump around from rock and roll, punk-inspired, to an even heavier sound you might get at a hardcore show. The performance feels so cohesive, however. The band plays off of each other so well, and Zoey makes sure to highlight everyone’s parts while on stage in a way that makes everyone feel so crucial to each moment. I couldn’t help but headbanging while I was taking photos for most of the songs as they are so easy to get into rhythm with. After the show, so many people in the crowd instantly cheered for an encore. If only they didn’t have to load out, we could have gotten some more of the Femmes.