By Lauren Means | Photos provided by Lips Speak Louder
In the vibrant music scene of Nashville, a dynamic duo is making waves with their grungy, indie-infused sound. Lips Speak Louder, comprised of Angie Lese and Rachel Brandsness, is a rising act that’s capturing the attention of the local community and beyond.
Angie and Rachel’s musical journeys began long before they joined forces. Angie, a former meteorologist, had always harbored a passion for drumming, inspired by the likes of the Foo Fighters’ late Taylor Hawkins. Rachel, on the other hand, discovered her love for music at a young age, picking up the trumpet in school and later falling in love with the guitar after witnessing a Heart concert as a teenager.
The two musicians crossed paths a few years ago, bonding over their shared love of rock music and a desire to create something truly unique. “We just kind of hit it off and stayed in touch very loosely,” Angie recalls. “And then I ended up managing Rach’s band, Flarelight, for just one album cycle in 2022, and we got really close then.”
They also played together in a Foo Fighter’s tribute band call Fingernails Are Pretty. It was during this time that the idea for Lips Speak Louder was born. “She just kind of tossed out this idea of, like, ‘oh, we should do a rock duo,’” Rachel says. “And I was like, ‘oh, yeah, let’s do, super fun, you know, just like an excuse to keep playing together even more.’”
The duo spent the next year honing their sound, crafting a collection of songs that blend the gritty energy of 90s grunge with the melodic sensibilities of indie rock. Their recently released single, “Hype,” is a prime example of this dynamic fusion, with its angsty lyrics and powerful guitar-and-drum-driven sound.
“’Hype’ is definitely, I would say, where we really leaned into that sort of 90s grunge, kind of just sound and attitude,” Rachel explains. “So it’s pretty fun. We wanted a song where we could, like, really kind of rock out together playing it.”
As Lips Speak Louder prepares to release their debut album next year, the duo is excited to share their music with the world and connect with the local community. “If people come to our shows, you know, like, you know, please introduce yourselves. Let us know. If you’re in a project we want to know about it, you know. That kind of support goes both ways. So we love to be in the know,” Angie says.
This desire to connect with the local community aligns with one piece of advice Angie has for aspiring artists. She said, “You have to find your tribe. You’ve got to find the ones that want to see you get to the top. You’ve got to surround yourself with those that want to see you win.”
You can catch Lips Speak Louder in Nashville at The Lipstick Lounge on Saturday, October 19 at 7 pm.
Their single “Hype” is available now wherever you stream your music. You can follow them online at lipsspeaklouder.com to be the first to know when their debut album is released.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Lipstick Lounge
1400 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Saturday, October 19 at 7 pm
