Atlanta punk band Upchuck occupy a space where fury meets vulnerability. Known for their explosive live sets and genre-blurring sound, the group have carved out a distinct voice within contemporary punk. Their latest album I’m Nice Now pushes that voice further, exploring grief, identity and unity with biting wit and emotional honesty. Ahead of their first Australian tour and new music, frontperson KT reflects on creative growth and community.

KT: We been busy writing the next album. Trying to spit out what we can and have it done before we go to Australia.

That’s exciting! Your latest album I’m Nice Now was one of my favourite punk records of 2025. What things have you been gravitating towards writing about lately? 

KT: I like write to write about whatever I’m feeling at the time. I’m growing as a person, as I should be, it’s shifting along that. Last year was a lot!

The album that came out last year was me in 2024. The one that’s about to come out this time, is even more vulnerable and more emotional. 

It seems like everyone I know had a rough year last year. 

KT: Exactly. Yeah. It was a lot for me in general. I was busy, we were touring a lot. And then with work and stuff, it’s hard to find a job that will keep me financially ok. Not to mention Trump America is not helping in any way. And just worldwide chaos. It was a lot to soak in, and try to maintain. I feel like it was a lot of chaos in every aspect of my life. I didn’t have it contained, but trying to do better on that this year. This year, I’m locking in. 

Why is music important for you? 

KT: It’s an expression. It has always been a means of communication in a way. Even before I started making music, it was kind of an escape at times. Depending on what I was listening to, it could also be a source of motivation. It’s shaped who I am today, for sure.

Everything that I’ve absorbed in my lifetime — my mum’s Trini and my dad’s Jamaican. So I grew up listening to soca, reggae and all that other stuff. I think that even shapes what I write about today, because reggae has a lot to do with the punk mentality. But yeah, it’s shaped my character, that’s for sure.

What was your coming of age soundtrack? 

KT: Oh geez [laughs]. A mixture — from Chief Keef to The Drums. I was listening to The Drums a lot. What else? I was into Fleet Foxes at one point, Florence and the Machine, and Santigold was up there for me. I was listening to a lot.

Same! I know that you used to play cello. What made you choose that instrument? 

KT: Honestly, I didn’t have a choice. My parents definitely just put me in there [laughs]. I feel like they literally heard on NPR one morning, “Kids in orchestra end up smarter and more successful in life.” So they were like, “Oh, shit, yeah, let’s put our kids in orchestra.” Shout out Miss O’Shea, though — she did teach me a lot when it comes to music and discipline and all that other stuff. It definitely helped in its own way, but it was a little too constricting for me at the time. So I had to wean off all the classical shit.

Before you were a vocalist, did you ever think of fronting a band one day? 

KT: Nah, that definitely wasn’t in my cards. But a lot of shit in my life wasn’t in my cards. Especially at the time, I’d just dropped out of Georgia State because I couldn’t afford my classes and shit. So I was just working and trying to pay rent. I didn’t expect to be where I am today, but I’m not complaining either. Now that I’m here, it feels right.

What were you studying? 

KT: I started in public health and then switched to biology, but I was like, I can’t do all that shit [laughs]. So I switched to social entrepreneurship and was like, yeah, I think I could do a nice little nonprofit that could help the community in some ways and give back to the people.

Totally. I feel that. Working in community is important to me too. I work with fellow First Nations and POC writers as a book editor. Being able to help my communities tell our stories in our ways means a lot.

KT: Yeah, that’s nice.

You mentioned that when you write songs they’re about what’s happening for you in real time. Do you ever surprise yourself when you look back at your songs and see your growth is mapped out across Upchuck’s records? 

KT: That actually is funny. I definitely surprise myself every time. Even when we write an album, it’s kind of crazy. It’s almost backwards because we just go into it writing songs and then look back over all the songs we put into one record. It’s like, oh wait, there’s a theme — damn. I didn’t even realise there was a theme happening, but there is a theme within each one. So yeah, it’s always surprising.

That’s the fun part of the writing process, figuring yourself out while writing. It’s crazy to go back to that first album and be like, damn, I really was just mad. I really was just edgy all the time.

Previously you’ve mentioned that Upchuck’s first album was a lot about taking up space. After being out there for a minute and touring and having a bunch of record’s out; has that changed for you?

KT: I think there are bigger problems at hand. The focus for me now is more on unity and spreading that unity. But it’s always been about unity. I feel like that’s the one common thread that’s existed across every Upchuck album. That’s the main thing.

Whenever I read anything about Upchuck, people always mention that you’re a really political band and they mention you’re angry and there’s a rage. But I also think there’s a lot of humour and a sarcasm as well that never gets talked about.

KT: I was actually just talking about that the other day about how we’re portrayed. How I’m supposedly this political, serious person. I’m like, I’m no politician, bro. At the end of the day, I’m just this punk motherfucker, you know? Shit’s too crazy not to have a laugh. It’s all very serious, but even with I’m Nice Now, that whole concept was like, bro, it’s almost so crazy that you have to smile to be sane. Take time to make yourself smile today, bro [laughs]. That’s really what that shit’s about.

I love the album cover, it’s so visually striking and really cheeky. 

KT: [Laughs] Yeah, for sure.

As a POC, I related to a lot of what you’re saying on song ‘Forgotten Token’. That feeling of being invisible or of being visible but being disposable. 

KT: Exactly! 

As women of colour we’re expected to carry history and grief and explain things to everybody. Those themes tie into the song ‘Tired’ as well. What sparked it? 

KT: With ‘Forgotten Token’ I had just lost my sister earlier that year. She was really a G.O.A.T. to me, literally a textbook older sister. On her shit. Don’t give no bullshit. Don’t take shit from nobody. Did it all by herself. Truly a role model for me.

She worked for this big fashion company, but she would always call me like, “Damn, they literally stole my shit and didn’t give me credit for it.” And all this other stuff. And not seeing one of those coworkers at her funeral, I was like, damn, y’all really just didn’t give a fuck. She just slaved for y’all for the past decade of her fucking life, and y’all really don’t give a fuck, but you want all of her creativity.

I feel like they kind of sucked the soul out of her, and that really resonated with me. I know it resonates with a lot of other women of colour. It rocked me and hit close. 

I’m so sorry. It’s so crazy how the world treats people like products, a commodity, and not as people. That’s where shit goes wrong.

KT: Exactly. That’s why it’s going wrong right now, literally. 

I really love the video for ‘Forgotten Token’. It also talks to gentrification, the dark side of it. And I thought it was cool that there’s cameos with your mum and your grandma and brothers in there. 

KT: We filmed it at my mom’s house, so it was really just chilling at the crib. If anything, it was strange to film the white family in the house I grew up in, so it felt trippy in those moments. I was like, damn, this is actually dark. Even my mom was like, I don’t know, that shit’s weird [laughs].

You totally captured that feeling. When I was watching it, it gave me that ick feeling too.

KT: [Laughs]. Yeah, like, what are you doing here, bro? You’re not supposed to be here. Get out. But yeah, it seemed like we were just chilling at the crib. You know, mom’s always gonna do the most. She was being funny during the shoot, like, “So what do you want me to do?” She’s just extra. She’s a certified Aries mom, like, “Oh, is the camera on me, right now?” And I was like, “Okay, mom, you’re doing too much, bro. Just chill.”

I really love the song ‘New Case’ and live the claymation clip for that too!

KT: Oh, yeah, Cissi [Efraimsson]. Yeah, she snapped, she went crazy, nah [laughs]. I think it took her a minute too.

That song reminds me of Santigold!

KT: That means a lot because literally that was my influence growing up.

Same!

KT: Her and MIA, literally G.O.A.T’s.

We’ve only got a few minutes left. We’ve spoken about anger and rage but I wanted to ask you; what are the moments where you feel soft? 

KT: Honestly, nine times out of 10, I’m really goo goo gaga as fuck [laughs]. That’s the craziest part. I was talking about it with someone the other day, and it’s almost kind of conflicting to feel like I’m being portrayed as, oh, I’m just this angry Black woman with rage. And I’m like, I’m really not.

Like, yeah, of course, every person of colour has a right to be upset, and it’s valid to feel that way given how everything has been going on for the past century and more. You know what I’m saying? So it’s like, I’m not out here just yelling at random people on the street and shit. I’m just, I don’t know… I have my qualms.

However, I find my peace. I have my friends, and I surround myself with good times and good energy. I am soft most times. I really am goofy as fuck. I feel like most people would be like, “Oh, that girl wasn’t even angry for real. She just be joking around half the time.” But yeah, most of the time I’m normally chilling.

What’s something that you’ve seen or experienced lately that’s been really beautiful or really joyous?

KT: Honestly, I guess it’s the growth I’m seeing within myself and all my closest homies. We’re all kind of on this lock-in growth journey rather than the usual debauchery we used to get into, and I think that’s really beautiful. It’s just us maturing and growing up. We’re getting older now. It’s sick that we’re all taking our time and appreciating the little things in life.

Check out more Upchuck HERE. Follow @_upchuck_. I’m Nice Now is out via Domino Records. Get tickets for their Australian tour HERE.