Interview with Dréa Atkins (Female President)

The world needs more female presidents, and the world needs more bands like Female President! The American band takes Rock N’ Roll and adds every colour to the music spectrum creating their own unique wonderful sound. As the band are getting ready to share their second EP with the world, we had the chance to interview vocalist Dréa Atkins, asking her about her band’s music, her inspirations, as well as her experience on different issues. Here’s our interview with Dréa Atkins!

Hello, Dréa. I’m happy to be talking with you. How are you and the rest of “Female President” doing?

We’re thriving! Thank you! All three of us work in music so we stay connected to the industry and are always writing songs.

That’s great to hear! I had the chance to listen to your first EP and your new singles and I have to say I loved what I heard! However, for our readers who weren’t lucky to listen to your music yet, what would you tell them to expect to hear if they go check “Female President” songs right now?

Our music is very honest and emotional. It’s rooted in foundational elements of rock but each song will surprise you in a good way.

You have recently released a new single “Joy Lab” and I think there will be a second EP soon? What can you tell us about the upcoming release?

Joy Lab is the official first single for our second EP, “The Healing Ritual”. This collection of songs is about examination and growth. There are some honest criticisms of humanity, but ultimately it’s about the power we all have to heal ourselves and the planet.

Perfect! What bands and musicians did you grow up listening to that have affected your approach to creating your own music?

I was so lucky to grow up in a house that was full of music from every era. My father was a band leader for thirty years so Swing, Jazz, and Big Band was a staple as well as the early crooners like Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Patsy Cline. I have six siblings so there was always music pouring out of their bedrooms like Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire or The Clash or The Who, Blondie. I was given my sister’s older stereo system when I was only in 2nd grade and that’s when I discovered David Bowie, Queen, Pat Benatar, and Joan Jett. Heart and The Cars. Music is an emotional extension for me, like an extra sense so I’ve been obsessed with it my whole life. In the 90s I discovered PJ Harvey, Nina Simone, and Hole and that’s when I decided I wanted to be a songwriter.

Wow great names! In order to get to know you better and from a different point of view, how about playing an imagination game? I will set a scenario in an alternate universe with new rules and see how you’d react to the different situations. Ready?

I have a degree in Theatre and I love improv so let’s go!

In a universe where you are the queen of a country, what would be the first law you’d make?

Harnessing my desire for equality, I would declare that all humans on the earth are planet keepers and even billionaires would have to clean up roads, rivers, and oceans. It would be an honor and a duty to care for the earth like a precious family member.

In a universe where humans can choose either to be able to teleport from one place to another or travel back and forth in time, which superpower would you pick?

I hate flying and love travel so definitely teleportation. Beam me up!

In a universe where you’re the statue of liberty, what object would you be holding instead of a torch?

A boom box like Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything, but I would blast Van Halen.

In a universe where money does not exist, but instead, people pay for things by making other people laugh, how rich would you be considered?

I used to do comedy improv for years in Los Angeles. Now, only my close friends and family see my humorous side so I’d be upper middle class on my way to owning a jet ski.

In a universe where the senses of taste and hearing are mixed up together, what food would you imagine Female President’s music would taste like?

As cheesy as this sounds, our music would be more of a destination for food than the food itself. Our music is a neon-lit diner on a crumbling part of Route 66 in the Southwest of America. The menu is ample and you can choose whatever you want.

Great answer! In a universe where a theme song plays whenever you wake up announcing the start of your day, what would your song be?

I made the mistake of picking Pump It by the Black Eyed Peas for my 2023 morning alarm and this year has been moving at a crazy pace ever since.

Thank you for playing, Dréa! I hope you enjoyed this! As you might know, we are a feminist Metal outlet so I must ask about the reason behind the name of your band. Is there a story behind it, or a simple message?

We started this band during the lockdown of 2020. The world was a mess, the US in particular and I just felt like if a woman had a chance to be President she would have handled everything better. Johnny and I were driving around the mountains in our car and I said, “It’s about time our country let us have a female President. How can we be the “world’s superpower” but we don’t trust women?” Johnny said that Female President would be a great name for a band and so it began.

That’s a great name of a band indeed and the ideas behind it is so true! Have you ever faced any kind of sexism in your professional or personal life? How would you deal with sexist behaviour and what advice would you give young people worldwide who face any kind of discrimination?

Growing up in the ’80s and 90’s, sexism was almost a daily occurrence. Women, particularly young girls, were treated like weaker, less intelligent humans. We were also over-sexualized and constantly made to feel not thin enough, pretty enough, and so much shame for being a female. I was always a very outspoken kid, protesting and marching with women’s groups to demand safety and ownership of our bodies. I brought real sex education to my high school and wasn’t afraid to stand up to authority. There were times sexism delayed me from getting what I wanted, but I used those setbacks to make me more determined to command respect and reach my goals. I believe in equality among the sexes and that the most powerful way to connect with anyone is to find common ground and build from there. It is important to know your worth and do the inner work of understanding who you are and what dreams are calling just to you. Be brave and push on.

Thank you for sharing your experience and giving us this interview, Dréa. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

It’s never too late and you’re never too old to be all you were meant to be.