June 25, 2025
With bold red lips, punk rock fire, and a flair for the theatrical, Sweetie is stepping into a striking new era with their latest album La Vie En Rouge. We sat down with frontperson Birdy to dive into the inspirations behind this crimson-soaked chapter—where Edith Piaf meets drag decadence, and lipstick punk finds its edge. From Chicago’s vibrant DIY scene to the grandeur of the Egyptian Theatre stage, Sweetie continues to push boundaries with sound, style, and unapologetic femme energy. Get ready to fall in love—with a little more glitter and a whole lot more grit.
JEANINE: Your new album is called La Vie En Rouge—a twist on the classic French phrase. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the title and what it represents for this chapter of Sweetie’s sound?
BIRDY: So, the album title is inspired by Edith Piaf’s song ‘La Vie en Rose’ but I switched out rose (pink) for rouge (red), taking the love song in pink hues and intensifying it all. The first album, Bad Thing Sweet Thing (2020) has a lighter vibe, where this stage of Sweetie is more mature; the writing and image are more mature, the emotions in the songs are more intense and honest, the stage looks are more polished. Sweetie is all grown up now.
J: Sweetie blends lipstick punk with drag and French flair in such a unique way. How do your francophone roots influence both the music and the visual storytelling of this new album?
B: So the first and obvious one is the French album title and the nod to Edith Piaf. I really wanted to bring more imagery to our stage show, and to tie together Edith Piaf with the energy and enthusiastic femisimn of the Moulin Rouge, with a dash of demi-monde and Belle Epoque influence. All of this with a dash of Bob Fosse with punk rock, and you’ve got our stage show!
J: You’ve been voted one of the Top 5 Punk Bands in Chicago two years in a row. How has the Chicago scene shaped Sweetie, and what do you hope to give back to it with La Vie En Rouge?
B: Well, I absolutely have to talk about the Chicago drag community! I have collaborated extensively with local drag performers on music videos, visuals, and our live show aesthetic. We also LOVE to play drag shows. Worked a lot with the drag community. Built my festival HOOF around celebrating the women, femmes, and thems of the Chicago punk scene.
J: Vinyl and CD releases feel very intentional in a digital world. What made you want to go physical for La Vie En Rouge, and are there any special details fans can look forward to with the packaging or design?
B: I put so much work into this that it needed to be on vinyl and cd. My friend and I mixed it together, so it really makes it all the more special. AND the artwork (by Shaman Goad) is super beautiful.
J: You’re hosting the album release party at the Egyptian Theatre as part of the Rocky Horror Picture Show screening. What’s the connection between Sweetie and Rocky Horror—and what can fans expect from that night?
B: Sweetie performs before RHPS a few times a year and I myself am in the cast. Sweetie and the Rocky Horror Picture Show are like peas and carrots. We also collaborate heavily with the cast for Sweetie creative projects; especially music videos! Also, they’re all my close pals.
J: You’ve played everything from punk clubs to historic venues like the Metro and the Egyptian Theatre. How does your performance energy shift—or stay the same—across such different spaces? B: Honestly the only difference we really account for is stage size, and how much room Joe has to run around and completely terrorize the audience with his gigantic upright bass. Every show, we try to bring the same fire-y intensely joyful energy that we’ve come to be known for. Also, for the more historic theaters, my stage wear tends to incorporate more sequins!
