Freak Slug’s LOOSE TOOTH AND SHORT SKIRT.
Words: MARITA LUCK
Freak Slug is the project of Xenya Genovese, an unpredictable and unforgettable artist from Manchester in the UK. One of the most exciting names on the international circuit, Freak Slug is a must for fans of cult indie, femme punk and everything in between. On stage Freak Slug promises unfiltered honesty, surreal and emotionally charged performances with a theatrical flair. Fresh from her debut tour of Australia and New Zealand, we caught up with Freak Slug to chat about her latest EP, loose tooth and short skirt.
Temper: 2025 has been a massive year for you in both the UK and the US with touring and festival appearances. You released an album at the end of 2024 yet with all you have had going on you are about to release your new EP! What is it that drives you to be such a prolific songwriter?
Freak Slug: Haha. What drives me is I love making music, I’m always writing it’s one of the most fulfilling things in my life I have going on.
T: Your music has been described as playful and fun yet with a dark edge both lyrically and sonically- is this how you envisioned yourself as an artist starting out?
F: Yeah I’ve always had that energy. I’m a mixed bag, even as a person there’s a lot of mini pandoras boxes in my heart, some with messages of depth some with pure fuckin around.
T: Your new EP Loose Tooth and a Short Skirt came out on November 7th. You have said that it is full of different kinds of love stories. Do you consider yourself to be a romantic?
F: Yeah, I guess I’m romantic. If the right person tickles my fancy.
T: You have also been described as an intoxicating sound in the alt rock space and you have a rather unconventional musical background. Is it true that your musicianship is self taught? And who were your musical hero's that you took inspiration from? It does seem you explore a lot of musical genres.
F: Yep. All taught. I never know what key I’m in when I play guitar, and I don’t ever care to, but I know when I find the right chords and melodies. They come from my heart not my brain.
T: It has been said that you have the ability to immerse listeners into your world by taking real situations and warping them through your strange sonic fairground mirror. Can you describe your creative process? How have you found the confidence to produce music that feels authentically you?
F: I’m a confident person who speaks their truth and the music I make reflects that. Everything regarding the process comes naturally, I really can’t stress how much I don’t overthink anything when it comes to making art, it just pours out of me and feels right.
T: You are just back from touring Australia and New Zealand, how did you feel you connected with audiences here and what is it you want your fans to find in your music?
F: I always talk to the fans straight after I play the shows, and it’s beautiful connecting with everyone. I don’t particularly want anyone to feel anything, whatever they feel is perfectly good enough for me :)