SAD13 Wants to Know What’s the Drama in New Song “WTD?” for Adult Swim Singles Series

Adult Swim Singles have shared a new song from Speedy Ortiz lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Sadie Dupuis, known solo as Sad13, as the 30th entry for the program this year. The song, titled “WTD?,” is the first Sad13 recording to feature live members Zoë Brecher on drums and Audrey Zee Whitesides on bass, and is the first new music from the project since 2017’s “Sooo Bad,” which was also featured on Adult Swim Singles.

“WTD?,” which stands for “What’s the drama?” is a vibrant explosion of socially conscious ideas matched up with tender vocals, driving guitar and bass performances, and catchy synths. In the words of Sad13 herself, the song, “is about eco-fascism, climate gentrification, and the depopulation of species, caused by human selfishness and industrial greed.”  Although the overall message of the song is somewhat negative, Sad13 still manages to deliver the song with positivity, allowing for the possibility of optimism for what the future may hold.

“WTD?” marks the first song Dupuis released as Sad13 since the release of “121212,” Christmas oriented track released in December of last year. While Dupuis has enjoyed a successful career as the lead vocalist and guitarist for Speedy Ortiz, she has only released one solo album as Sad13, Slugger, back in 2016.

Dupuis and the rest of Speedy Ortiz, along with  Downtown Boys, DIIV, Lee Ranaldo, Thursday, Zola Jesus and Guy Picciotto,  formed an independent musicians union, the Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW), and penned letter to Congress demanding aid. The letter comes in six parts, calling for an expansion of government benefits, and emergency funding for programs in need.

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat

Drew Feinerman: I have just completed my senior at the University of Michigan majoring in international studies with an emphasis in political economics and development, with a minor in Chinese language and culture, and I have recently been accepted into the Berklee School of Music's masters of music business program. Although my academic interests include economics, political science, and history, I consider music to be my one true passion. Music is, and has always been, a driving force for the way I think and act every day of my life. I have been playing the tenor saxophone since the age of ten, and playing an instrument at a high level has allowed me to only further my understanding and appreciation for music. While I grew up listening to predominantly classic rock, I soon found myself gravitating toward jazz, hip-hop, funk, and other genres, as my learned to both play and analyze music as a listener. As a writer, I am able to apply my skills both as a musician and a listener, and look forward to the opportunity to being able to express my thoughts on various stories in the music industry.
Related Post
Leave a Comment