Seattle indie rock band DINING DEAD is pushing their sound in bold new directions with their upcoming album Is This a House?. Blending catchy melodies with unconventional song structures, the band fuses pop elements with experimental approaches, creating a sound that is both intricate and immediate. Their lyrics explore themes of personal growth, social tension, and resilience, often filtered through a feminist lens.

“What excites me most about this album is how experimental it feels for us,” says vocalist and guitarist Sammy Skidmore. “We’re pushing ourselves, not just in instrumentation but also in how I approach my vocals and lyricism. I’m trying new staccato vocal jumps, spoken word phrasing, and even operatic harmonies.”

DINING DEAD formed when longtime friends Skidmore and Emma Belmont, both Seattle natives, reunited years after meeting at summer camp. Their early songwriting sessions led to the addition of drummer Bogie Pieper, bassist Shannon Barberry, and multi-instrumentalist Kennedy Webb, whose violin and synth work add orchestral depth to the band’s layered compositions. Drawing from a range of influences—including Sleater-Kinney, The Breeders, and Patti Smith—their music combines folk-inspired storytelling with angular rock energy.

Emerging from Seattle’s DIY music scene, DINING DEAD played some of their first shows at local venues like Stone Way Café and Café Racer. They have since performed at festivals such as Capitol Hill Block Party and Belltown Bloom, sharing the stage with acts like Black Ends and Everyone Asked About You. A 2024 West Coast tour helped them refine their live sound, and they will embark on an East Coast tour following their album’s release. 

DINING DEAD channels the raw intensity and poetic urgency of Patti Smith while weaving in the dynamic vocal phrasing and storytelling sensibilities of Neko Case. Their use of unconventional structures and atmospheric textures echoes Kate Bush’s boundary-pushing approach, while Kim Gordon’s influence can be heard in their sharp, unfiltered lyricism and gritty guitar work. The band crafts music that is both ambitious and personal, pulling from indie, alternative, and chamber-pop influences to build something uniquely their own. Their upcoming album showcases a band unafraid to challenge expectations while staying true to their roots. With a mix of raw emotion and sharp musicianship, Is This a House? promises to be a compelling addition to their growing catalog. The full LP, 'Is This a House?',  is set for release on April 11, 2025, today we're able to give you a taste with "Burn Your Dinner"