With their self-titled debut out now via DNTL Records, Chalk Teeth step into their next chapter. Shaped by a period of intense creation and live shows, the record captures the band’s instinctive, DIY approach and a sound that pulls from darkwave, noise, and heavy electronics. We spoke with singer Karolina Wallace about how the album came together, the collaboration behind it, and the process of trusting intuition while finding their identity.
Welcome to Karolina from Chalk Teeth
Hi Karolina, welcome to Femme Metal Webzine! How are you doing, and how has life been treating you lately?
Hi, I am post album release, so in that very moment—excited, exhausted, exhilarated. Knowing that our sonic offering is now vibrating out and finding its people and connections. Life up to this point has been beyond busy. There is so much work that goes into making a record, which I will dive into with you with the questions below. Plus, as the year started, we played live a whole lot to introduce people to the music in real life.
About the self-titled album of Chalk Teeth
Chalk Teeth’s self-titled album will be released via DNTL Records in a few days. What can you share about its production?
We recorded the record in our own North Hollywood studio. Having the privacy and time to develop and create was a true gift. The mixing was a very detailed and patient process; we worked tirelessly until full sonic satisfaction hit. The only time we let the record out of our hands was to have it mastered for vinyl and digital. We trusted Antoine Richard with the task, and he did a phenomenal job. With our overall local DIY spirit, we had LA’s Licorice Pizza press the wax. We couldn’t be happier.
Reconnecting with Jason
This album stems from your relocation from NYC to LA and, most importantly, your reconnection with Adam’s childhood friend, Jason Miller. This might be a naive question, but how did you approach reconnecting with him after so long?
It was very kismet and organic—Jason moving to Los Angeles at pretty much the same time, which was in the heart of the pandemic. We always connected on a human level and loved his past project Lumerians, and decided to get into some jamming. The proof is in the pudding.
Creating the debut album
The songs on Chalk Teeth were originally born as 20-minute-long improvisations. When did you realize everything was falling into place? And throughout this process, what is the most important lesson you’ve learned?
We felt we had “something” pretty early on. The journey we all shared during the jams felt authentic, and the urge to go further and keep finding the sound was so strong, we just could not resist. Always trust your gut and don’t try to please anyone.
The challenge
Considering how the songs on Chalk Teeth came to be, how challenging was this process?
The process was a relief from day-to-day life. The only challenge I can think of was to truly let go and let myself be fully present, to be able to feel and listen to what the music needed from me/us.
The singles
Leading up to the album’s release, it was introduced by the singles Struck and Floor It. What can you share about these songs and their videos?
Struck is our first single we released to kick off the year. It’s a darkwave dance track of obsessive love—the kind that you can only feel when you find yourself in the other in this vast world.
Floor It followed in the spring. It is a ghostly, gothy club cut with a danceable, bumping beat and dark synth waves. A true patient banger.
Chalk Teeth musical fusion
Let me congratulate you on the album. I really like how Chalk Teeth fuses noise rock, shoegaze, darkwave, and electronic-laden doom. I understand this wasn’t done consciously, but how did you ensure the right musical balance?
We are very clear on what our sound is. If we jam on something—even if it’s “good” but not “chalky”—it doesn’t pass. We know it in our bone marrow. From the beginning, we were on one page about what sonic experience we wanted to make, and us trusting our instincts keeps fueling the original sound we make.
The upcoming plans for Chalk Teeth
What’s next for Chalk Teeth? Are there any plans for any touring?
Yes, we are heading up to San Francisco July 10th to play at the Great Northern and July 11th in Grass Valley. Additionally, we are working on tour dates for the fall and winter—Chicago and New York are on the radar, as well as Europe (TBC). Plus, this summer we are heading back into the studio as we are already working on the next batch of tracks.
Closing words
Thank you so much, Karolina, for taking the time to chat with us! Do you have any final thoughts or messages you’d like to share with our readers and your fans?
Thank you for picking my brain a bit, and I truly hope the music finds you, and when it does, you feel it in your bone marrow too. To get vinyl, head to our Bandcamp and you will be supporting us directly. If you’d like to have us come to your city, let us know. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the upcoming shows, music, and music videos we have been cooking up, and find all news and updates on our Instagram @chalk_teeth.