Razor Clam at Capitol Hill Block Party last month. The quintet opens for The Gods Themselves at Sunset Tavern this Friday. SOPHIA BARKALAKIS
“Everything. Everything is about mental-health issues and systemic injustice,” said Aya Mara, lead singer and primary lyricist of Seattle band Razor Clam, describing the inspiration behind their songs. “A lot of it is coping with depression, having friends who are suicidal. Dealing with racism. Whatever’s on my mind.”
The five self-identified femmes of Razor Clam—who recently chatted with me in their shared Crybaby Studios practice space—also draw on their personal experiences with trauma and social-justice work, channeling their energies into making music reminiscent of New Order and Siouxsie and the Banshees.