Interview: Rain on Fridays Talk ‘Death to Affection,’ Touring with Thick and Their Evolving Sound
Photo courtesy of Rain on Fridays
Following their five-year hiatus, the San Diego-based trio, Rain on Fridays, has just released their sophomore album, Death to Affection, on Oct. 18, which is now available for streaming on all platforms.
Between the melodic singing, powerful screams and their dynamic alternative and garage-punk sound, the band’s latest full-length record, introspectively explores raw vulnerability and genuine connection amid external conflicts and superficiality.
With the recent release of Death to Affection, pursuing the forward momentum this release has gained, Rain on Fridays is currently hitting the road alongside the band THICK for an early October run on the West Coast. I had the pleasure of catching up with lead vocalist and bassist Maddie Coe, alongside guitarist and vocalist Jesse Miller, to discuss their upcoming album, the progression of their sound and the experiences shaping their current tour.
Reflecting on the chance to perform for new audiences and share the stage with bands like Sluttony and THICK, Coe expressed her excitement for returning to cities they haven’t frequently played, noting, “I think the most exciting part for me is playing in these new areas, like Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, and Boise,” she said. “I love California—don't get me wrong—but it's nice to be able to play in new places because it takes a lot to get out there.”
Beyond the thrill of traveling out of state, playing in alluring venues like Boise's Shrine Basement and performing for new audiences who are finally experiencing the album in full, both artists are energized for the upcoming shows. The trio’s excitement is matched by their eagerness to share the stage with Brooklyn-based punk trio THICK and to connect with other femme-fronted bands, a camaraderie that Coe finds both inspiring and necessary in today’s music scene. As she explained, “Whenever we get to play shows with other bands, I learn something from them—whether it’s the way they perform or just making friends with everyone.”
Coe also emphasized the importance of femme representation in alternative music, observing that these connections are especially meaningful due to the scarcity of such groups in San Diego. “I guess I do wish, specifically in San Diego, there were a lot more femme-fronted groups. I feel like it's very uncommon. I can’t even name that many bands out of San Diego that are femme-fronted… But there are so many more out there now, which is really nice. And the more that I talk to people about it, the more I hear about them, which is exciting.”
With only the LA date under their belt for this tour, Coe and Miller shared their goals for the upcoming performances as they prepare to debut Death to Affection live. For Coe, the focus is on finally sharing the album in full after years of preparation. "We've been sitting on it for so long, and I'm just so excited to play it and see how the audience responds," she shared. She explained that the album’s "punky and rough-around-the-edges" sound should bring a raw energy to each set, offering longtime fans and new listeners a more fun, dynamic and spirited show experience.
Miller echoed this sentiment, emphasizing her hope for audiences to feel fully absorbed in each performance. "No specific goals," she said, "but I just want them to enjoy their performance and live in the moment, maybe get involved with the energy of the album."
Their shared aim to foster an environment where fans can engage with the music’s intensity, feel a sense of connection and be actively involved with each song, aligns directly with the experience encapsulated by the new record. It feels as though each track invites listeners to experience Death to Affection not only as an album but as a collective experience, or an intimate reflection of the band's personal journeys bringing them to where they are now.
With the release of Death to Affection on October 24, the conversation naturally shifted to the album's storyline both lyrically, musically and even recording and production-wise. Coe and Miller offered insights into the album's overarching concepts, particularly the significance of personal empowerment and navigating emotional complexities.
“Some of the themes that personally stand out to me are about standing up for yourself and dealing with emotional and mental challenges. It’s about how to handle really heavy emotions or difficult situations in life. A lot of it is kind of an output of anger too, but in a healthy way—like literally saying, 'I’m going to feel my feelings.' It’s also a rejection of superficial behavior. Overall, I feel like it’s very much about standing up for yourself in a weird way, putting yourself first,” Coe explained.
They also reflected on their experiences during the gap which significantly influenced the creation of Death to Affection. This period of introspection, in confronting personal and artistic challenges, is woven throughout the album, resulting in a body of work that emphasizes authenticity and emotional honesty. Their approach to songwriting is evident in each track, which serves as a cathartic exploration of the struggles and triumphs they have faced, ultimately resonating deeply with listeners.
The second track, “Cry It Out,” captures the urgency of confronting emotions head-on. Its chorus echoes a relatable message about the importance of addressing feelings without allowing them to be all-consuming or overwhelming to a point of no return: “Just cry it out but as fast as you can, cuz life still goes on you don't wanna get scammed. Trust me, I don't have all the answers. I'm no better than anyone, No better than anyone…”
Alternating from her staple, desperate and gritty scream, lead singer, Maddie Coe, softly vocalizes the chorus, delivering a raw, relatable message about the urgency of facing emotions without letting them consume you. Coe’s addition of a softer vocal approach on this track reveals a different side, balancing intense vulnerability with a forward-looking perspective.
As the conversation turned to audience feedback regarding their recent drop, Coe and Miller expressed their surprise and gratitude at the overwhelmingly positive response to their new material.
"Honestly, I’ve definitely noticed that out of all the songs we’ve released so far, 'So Alike' is the most well-received," Coe remarked. "I’m really surprised that people are so open to this new sound. Back in the day, if you did any sort of genre switch, your fans would eat you alive,” she noted, highlighting how the music landscape has shifted to allow for more experimentation.
Acknowledging the current trend of blending genres, specifically with the band implementing rock and grungier influences on this new record and being more musically progressive and explorative than in the past, Miller added, “I feel like it still happens quite a lot, especially when the hyper-pop wave was coming,” she explained. “A lot of people were bringing in different elements, which I thought was super cool, but many were like, ‘I don’t like it.’”
This openness to experimentation seems to have resonated with their audience, as Coe pointed out: “Overall, I’m surprised that people are really responding positively to it. I’m happy that even older fans are liking the newer stuff because it is very different.”
Despite this positivity, they both acknowledged that not every listener may embrace the new direction. “But you know there will always be people who say, ‘Damn, this sucks,’” Miller said. “At that point, it’s whatever. You can’t please everyone.”
Coe added, “Everyone has been super supportive about it,” emphasizing the support within their fanbase, even if they are still a localized band. “We’re not really getting a big scale of input on it since we’re still kind of on the smaller side. Who knows what it would be like if we were a bit bigger and hearing a ton of other opinions?”
With both excitement and humility, Coe and Miller are clearly navigating this new chapter with the understanding that growth—both personal and artistic—can be met with varying responses. As they continue to tour and share Death to Affection, they remain committed to fostering a genuine connection with their audience, inviting them to join in on their evolving journey.
As we wrapped up our Zoom conversation, the band expressed their gratitude to fans and new listeners: “We wouldn’t be able to make music if people didn’t listen…I hope people know that [we’re] very grateful for them listening and caring about our music. It means a lot.”
Be sure to catch Rain on Fridays on tour and stream their new album, Death to Affection, available on all platforms.