CHICAGO — At a time when the psych-rock scene is still overwhelmingly male-dominated, a Chicago-based trio is turning up the volume — not just musically, but socially. Daisychain, a three-piece rock band made up of Nickole Regala, Frankie Sripada, and Sophia Williams, is using their music and platform to challenge the norms of their genre.
The group’s debut full-length album, “All in a Name,” dropped this week and immediately drew buzz for its kaleidoscopic sound, inspired by bands like Pink Floyd and Grateful Dead. But what truly sets Daisychain apart is their vision: to carve out a space in psych-rock where women and diverse voices aren’t just welcome — they lead.
From Local Gigs to Legendary Studio Sessions
Daisychain’s journey started in 2017, playing Chicago bars and DIY spaces. Fast forward to now, they’re collaborating with industry legends. Their debut album was produced by Sylvia Massy, a powerhouse behind records for Tool, Prince, Johnny Cash, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
“It was what you imagine making a record is like when you’re 15,” said Sripada. “Sylvia brought out the absolute best in us — she made us feel like we had full ownership of our sound.”
Massy’s approach created a safe, open space for experimentation. From analog tape textures to bold shoegaze layers, the band said she “let us be as weird as we wanted — and that’s exactly what made it work.”
A Sound That’s Both Retro and Radical
The result? A rich, genre-blurring record that’s part psych, part pop, and entirely Daisychain.
“It’s colorful, dreamy, a little fuzzy — but always grounded in who we are,” Regala said. “You’ll hear bits of shoegaze, pop, psych, but it’s all tied together by how we hear and feel music.”
Daisychain isn’t just replicating 70s sounds. They’re reimagining them through a modern, inclusive lens — both in how they write and who they invite into the scene.
Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Scene
Despite psych-rock’s roots in counterculture, the genre today still has a visibility gap for women. Bands like King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard and Greta Van Fleet dominate the airwaves — but rarely share the stage with female-fronted groups.
“Representation in rock matters,” said Williams. “We’re not trying to ‘compete’ — we just want more people to see themselves up here, jamming, experimenting, making noise.”
Daisychain’s all-female frontline is intentional, not tokenistic. It’s about showing younger girls — and anyone pushed to the margins — that there’s space for them in every genre, especially ones as expressive as psych rock.
Community Over Commercialism
Daisychain’s album release party at Sleeping Village was a testament to their tight bond with Chicago’s local music scene. Friends, fellow bands, and longtime fans filled the venue with unmatched energy.
“Chicago shows up for Chicago,” Regala said. “We felt the love, and it reminded us why we make music in the first place — to connect.”
Their grassroots ethos is a stark contrast to the overproduced music industry model. Daisychain credits the city’s diverse musical ecosystem for nurturing their sound — from jazz to punk to psych — and say the Chicago scene is uniquely collaborative.
A Blueprint for Future Artists
Their work with Sylvia Massy sets a new bar for what an inclusive, artist-led production process can look like. Massy didn’t just engineer — she empowered.
“She gave us the final call. She made sure our voices weren’t just heard — they led,” said Williams.
It’s a reminder that creative control and emotional safety can coexist, even in professional studios. And it’s part of why Daisychain hopes other up-and-coming musicians — especially women — find the courage to be fully themselves in a space that hasn’t always welcomed them.
Where to Hear Daisychain
“All in a Name” is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp. The band will be playing local shows throughout the summer, with dates soon to be announced on their official Instagram and Bandcamp page.
Why This Matters for Chicago’s Cultural Identity
In an era of algorithm-driven sameness, Daisychain’s rise offers something rare: authenticity. Their sound is a celebration of individuality, their message is one of inclusion, and their roots are firmly planted in Chicago’s soil.
With venues like Sleeping Village, Hideout, and Thalia Hall serving as incubators for originality, Daisychain is part of a broader local movement reclaiming music as a communal act. It’s not just about records — it’s about resilience.
Are you a Chicago musician pushing boundaries in your genre? Want more women and LGBTQ+ voices in the spotlight? Share your thoughts with us or pitch your local story idea at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com and help grow Chicago’s music community.
