The first day of the Best Friends Forever Festival 2025 kicked off with a sky full of clouds and a crowd full of eager fans, ready for a weekend full of fantastic music. Early in the day, I had the opportunity to watch a set from the legendary Speedy Ortiz. Later, I ran for cover from the rain under the merchandise tent to chat with Sadie Dupuis (Singer, Songwriter) and Andy Molholt (Guitar, Keys) from the band to talk about current inspirations, artistic process and their 2023 album “Rabbit Rabbit.”
Las Vegas at last
During their set, Dupuis explained that Speedy Ortiz hadn’t played in Las Vegas since 2014 and she was excited to be back.
“It was at Beauty Bar, which I don’t think exists anymore … We were here opening for Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, some of our faves … We always ask to come through here on tour and it just doesn’t ever happen,” she said, “Maybe it’s harder for smaller musicians of our size to get club shows here, but we would love to play here more.”
The band made their return to Las Vegas a show to remember. Each musician was dressed to kill in bright colors that added to the collective character of Speedy Ortiz, and played with energy that added to the playful atmosphere. Even through the rain, their playing echoed throughout the festival grounds and brightened the mood.
Bright spots
I asked Dupuis and Molholt what they’ve been inspired by lately, and Dupuis gave a shoutout to the new album titled “System” from Prewn. “It’s just really incredible home-recorded, one-person band style music. It’s sort of rock. It’s sort of noise. It’s spooky, it’s experimental. The songwriting’s amazing and all of the instrumental performances are great. I listen to and it makes me upset in a positive way”
Molholt cited one of his recent inspirations to be Hayley Williams’ Jimmy Fallon performance. “It’s one of the best live performances I’ve ever seen in my entire life. She’s a real one. To foreground black orchestral musicians, and put herself in the back of the stage and just really make that whole moment about the politics of living in America in this day and age. Also, just picking that song from the record … it felt really intentional and every choice just really speaks to her level of, of thinking and care and, and talent.”
Time after time
Dupuis has been writing and releasing music with Speedy Ortiz since 2011 with plenty of songs under her belt. I asked her how certain songs might change over time as they’re performed on tours night after night. “I feel like the relationship with recorded songs is always changing through the process of touring and performing them … I find little ways to make them feel more exciting to [me]. But sometimes I’m just like, ah, ‘I hate that one forever’ … but taking a few years off helps.”
“Rabbit Rabbit”
The newest release from Speedy Ortiz is the 2023 album “Rabbit Rabbit” which sets itself apart from previous releases with an experimental edge added to what the band is known and loved for. Molholt was excited to explain a little bit about the process of making it.
“I felt like it was really collaborative. We spent a lot of time workshopping the album in our practice space. Drilling them over and over again and trying different things. There was a lot of experimentation at the studios we recorded at,” he said.
Dupuis said, “[Rabbit Rabbit] is really special to me because it’s the only one with the current live lineup that has been the band for quite a long time at this point. To finally get to record altogether was really special for me as someone who’s such a fan of Andy and of Joey (drums) and of Audrey (bass), to get to hear them record on these songs and not just play them at shows like this was really special.”
Sides of the Diamond
In addition to Speedy Ortiz, Dupuis is also a published poet and releases music under her solo project SAD13. “I feel like I really tend to work with a collection of things in mind. So if I’m working on writing for SAD13, I know that’s sort of what I’m going to be using it for.”
Sadie’s intention is evident in every area of her work, and her love and respect for her bandmates in Speedy Ortiz shines through in the songs and onstage. “If I’m writing for Speedy [Ortiz], I kind of think, like, ‘What would Andy sound really good doing on this? What kind of drums would Joey excel at?’ and Audrey has a very specific bass style, so I’ve sort of started writing to cater to that as well,” she said. Taking the care to highlight each individual musician’s strengths has resulted in a collection of incredibly crafted songs, and a live show that exudes a contagious energy of excitement and love. The world needs more Speedy Ortiz.
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