“Disappearing Girl” by The Aquadolls was the next song on my list of female empowered alternative rock bands. The band of three is entirely composed of females: Melissa Brooks, Jacqueline Proctor, and Keilah Nina. Between a glimpse into their social media presence and a close listen to their latest single “Disappearing Girl”, one can quickly tell The Aquadolls are all about their femininity, and they are proudly owning it.
The Song:
“Disappearing Girl” is a song that tells the listener the story of a somewhat mystical heterosexual relationship-to-be (or a relationship that could have been, more accurately) .
“Boy and girl kiss, can’t get your love out of my head…all I want is you inside my head, eyes so vain with the tangled curls, look out here she comes the disappearing girl”
“One kiss was all he wanted, but that wasn’t in her world. He just wanted soft hands to hold tight”
Both these sets of lyrics describe this enigma of a girl, she has enchanted vain eyes and curls, soft hands, and she kisses a boy…but she can’t stay with him. The lyrical description of the girls eyes, hair, and hands follow a fairly stereotypical description/expectation of a girl in a heterosexual relationship. In fact, the song is describing the girl as if it’s written from the boys’ perspective: what he wants and wishes for. But it is the “disappearing girl” who is beautiful, and mysterious that he seeks, and therefore he can never be happy or get what he wants. It is worth noting the lyric: “One kiss was all he wanted, but that wasn’t in her world”. The reason for this possibility not being a reality is up to the interpretation of the listener- is it because the disappearing girl doesn’t feel the same way about him? Does she not want a relationship? Is she happy independent or is she after another boy? Or possibly another girl? These are interesting questions that, depending on what the listener thinks, can completely change the image of this girl The Aquadolls write about. Perhaps it is a reflection of the band members themselves, and therefore, and insight into their gender and sexual identity. Either way, the band spices up the narrative of this song by leaving it as a song about a relationship that could have been, but because of the disappearing girl, isn’t.
Instagram:
The Aquadolls have a very prominent and specific aesthetic surrounding their image and music: they call it “mermaid rock and roll”. Their Instagram page and image is very reminiscent of childhood in the early 2000’s- specifically items and looks that were marketed towards young girls. Mermaid inspiration is everywhere, and the members dress themselves in traditionally grunge/alternative dress with a feminine twist: lots of pinks, purples, pastel colors as well as bright neon pinks and blues. Although the members have uploaded photos of themselves dressed in pants and crop tops, it seems more often than not, they are dressed in more feminine clothing like skirts and dresses, they wear their long hair is pigtails and ponytails, and accessorize in many patterns such as hearts, stars, skulls with bows, and more. A notable detail from their Instagram identity is that the logo for their band name displayed on stage mimics the font of the Bratz Dolls that were very popular among young girls in the 2000’s. This detail alone clearly captures the identity of the band members and targets a more hyper feminine and nostalgic audience.
Overall, the Aquadolls have written music and an aesthetic for themselves that sets them apart from most other alternative bands by embracing their alternative tastes and femininity and mashing the two together to create a pretty unique look and a differing narrative in their songs.
Shared by: Em von der Ruhr
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CRPdMgCjdmQ/