REBEL QUEENS: Redefining Rock and Empowerment

Rebel Queens aren’t just a band—they’re a bold statement. Inspired by icons like Joan Jett, they champion unapologetic individuality and female empowerment in spaces long dominated by men. With their latest album, For Her Pleasure, they celebrate women’s pleasure and rebellion, blending playful anthems like Every Night is Ladies’ Night with deeper existential themes in After Party.

«A Rebel Queen lives boldly, even if it makes people uncomfortable,» they say, reflecting their mission to shatter stereotypes and inspire sisterhood in rock. Ready to own 2025, they’re proving that women rocking isn’t just accepted—it’s unstoppable.

-Hi, first off thanks for answering our questions. How’s everything doing in the lair of Rebel Queens?

Hi! Thank you so much for reaching out to us. We are currently planning our 2025, which involves visiting new cities, creating new music, and all sorts of new stuff.

– The name «Rebel Queens» evokes a powerful image of defiance and authority. What does being a «Rebel Queen» mean to each of you personally, and how does it influence your creative and performance choices?

I got the term “Rebel Queen” from a song by the 70’s all-female band, The Runaways. I’ve always admired Joan Jett for her unapologetic spirit and doing things despite being told “girl’s don’t do that.” To me, It means women doing whatever they want not letting anything or anyone hold them back. A Rebel Queen is someone that lives boldly and works to achieve their goals even if it might make some people uncomfortable. All trail-blazers have made people uncomfortable.

– Many fans see Rebel Queens as champions of female empowerment, not only in your lyrics but in your stage presence. Can you talk about the driving force behind this? How has your sense of purpose evolved since your beginnings?

If someone tells me I can’t do something, it makes me want to do it just to prove it’s possible. Anything is possible. As a woman in music, everyone feels the need to give unsolicited advice and opinions on the music you should play, how you should dress, etc. It becomes a lot of noise that you have to learn to shut out and steer the course however you see fit. I feel a sense of purpose to help women feel empowered to play music or start a business or do whatever they want and not let self-doubt or criticism from others bring them down.

– You’ve described how women can find empowerment in reclaiming spaces often male-dominated, like rock music. In what ways do you feel For Her Pleasure exemplifies this, and what messages do you hope resonate most with your listeners?

The album’s single “Every Night is Ladies’ Night” was really the first time we spoke directly to women. We want our shows and our music to be a safe space for women. I’ve been noticing women are absolutely crushing it in rock music. The Warning, Lzzy Hale, Dorothy, Nita Strauss, and Taylor Momsen are some examples. It seems to be more accepted that we don’t have to limit a concert bill to only one female act. Turns out, people actually do want to see women rock!

– The title For Her Pleasure is provocative, suggesting an unapologetic exploration of female sexuality. How do you navigate the complexities of using sexual imagery in a feminist context, and what does the phrase for her pleasure mean to you as an empowering statement?

At it’s core, it means we created this music for OUR pleasure. It is saying this music is for women by women. A lot of times it’s assumed women do things to impress men. While we are grateful for our male audience, it’s not purposely geared towards them. Women should not be ashamed of experiencing pleasure. Sexuality isn’t just about sex. For Her Pleasure is meant to be lighthearted and playful, but also a powerful statement.

– The title For Her Pleasure feels unapologetically bold and has a double-edged meaning. Do you see sexuality as a form of rebellion in your music? How do you balance the edgy aesthetic with deeper messages?

A lot of the music on rock radio these days seems to be pretty serious and heavy. We have an element of serious and heavy, but also a light playful side. We want to have fun and play around on stage (“Every Night is Ladies’ Night”) while also creating space for heavier songs (“Bad Bones”) and messages of living unapologetically (“Ride On Thru”). We are multi-dimensional creatures.

– Rebel Queens draw influence from rock icons of the ’70s and ’80s, yet you bring a unique voice to the genre. What have been the most pivotal inspirations for you, your role models, and how do you balance honoring rock’s history with bringing something fresh?

I love the fun and playfulness of classic rock made popular by Aerosmith, Van Halen and more. I love the soulfulness of artists like Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin. I admire the boldness of Joan Jett and Debbie Harry. We aren’t necessarily trying to sound like any of those artists, but we incorporate elements of that era into our instrumentation, vocal styling, aesthetic and stage presence.

– The rock world has historically marginalized women in various ways. How have your experiences, both good and challenging, shaped the messages in your music? Are there specific changes you’d like to see in the industry?

So often I hear that people think we are a gimmick because we are a band of women. They say that they didn’t expect much but were totally surprised to find we were great musicians. This exact quote has been said countless times to us, “You are pretty good for an all women band.” What does that even mean? I don’t believe this attitude has any grounds for reference. I don’t see women sucking at music more than men, but for some reason, women are not expected to be good at things. This is something I’d like to change.

– Rock has historically been about individualism and rebellion, but there’s also something deeply powerful about collective action and sisterhood. How does the dynamic of the band shape the messages you want to send to your audience? How does your sense of solidarity as women inform the music you make together?

There’s a cool energy that happens when people play music together and especially when women play music together. For so many years, we were told there’s only room for one woman and that we had to constantly compete with each other and tear each other down. I think that’s why women doing something together and lifting each other up feels so empowering.

– You’ve hinted that existential themes weave into your music, whether about self-discovery or resilience. What’s been the most personally meaningful message for each of you in this EP, and how do you see these ideas growing in your future work?

The EP ends with a song called “After Party” which was written as a parallel between the melancholy feeling I get at the end of a good show (playing or attending) and the feeling that happens when you think about impending death. There’s that hope for more. Even if you don’t believe anything actually happens, it’s kind of fun to picture everyone flying around in outer space continuing the party in the afterlife.

-And before we wrap this interview up; what are now your near-future plans?

We ease up on our performance schedule December to February to spend time with friends and family. It gets so cold here in Minnesota that people don’t really want to go out as much and driving on icy roads late at night can be dangerous. We are looking forward to working on new music during the winter and playing some fun events in 2025!