This article is partly taken from the winter 2025 issue of Dazed. Buy a copy of the magazine here.

The world went into mourning in January when we learnt that legendary film director David Lynch had passed away. At the time, Boyish were holed up in a desolate town in upstate New York, with nothing to do other than work on their debut record. The result? A Twin Peaks-inspired concept album based on a fictional town, named after “the most American thing [they] could think of”: Gun. Coincidentally, it dropped just two days after right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination – “it came out during a crazy week for an album to be called Gun,” they admit.

The indie duo, comprised of vocalist India Shore and guitarist Claire Altendahl, met a decade ago while studying at Berklee College of Music and initially went by The Blue, until realising how difficult that was to Google. Since becoming Boyish in 2019, they’ve signed to R&R Records (with Mk.gee and Dijon as labelmates), collaborated with King Princess and Rachel Chinouriri, worked with Loren Humphrey (producer to Lana Del Rey, Cameron Winter and Arctic Monkeys) on their debut album, and are catching the world’s attention for their 80s-inflected shoegaze anthems.

As their biggest year yet comes to a close, we sit down with Boyish to talk Billy Elliot, David Lynch and why they love to see straight Christian women making TikToks to Chappell Roan songs. 

What was the starting point for your album?

India Shore: We started writing it in October 2023. From the beginning, we wanted it to start and end in the same way, so it felt like a continuous circle. Every album we love feels like you’re entering its own physical place – it’s a full universe, so we wanted to make that literal. 

Can you paint me a picture of this fictional town? 

India Shore: It’s definitely very Twin Peaks-inspired. We’ve been driving around the US a lot on tour and you come across a lot of small, almost abandoned towns. We always have surreal experiences there and question what’s real and what’s not. In our town there’s a woman named Wendy, Claire [Altendahl] is in the story, there’s a strip club, a church and a racetrack. 

Why is the town called Gun? 

India Shore: We were trying to come up with the most American thing you can think of and we were like, ‘it’s a gun!’ It came out during a crazy week for an album to be called Gun. It’s about this whole American aesthetic, so it felt pretty fitting. 

You once said that making this album was the thing you’ve loved doing most in your life. What made it such a special process? 

Claire Altendahl: I don’t think I’ve put so much effort into something in my entire life. It brought some amazing people into our lives, too – like our producer, Loren Humphrey. He changed our lives. Now it’s like before and after Loren. 

How did you meet Loren Humphrey? 

Claire Altendahl: It was the day of the LA wildfires. We were meant to start recording that day with another producer, but the studio got evacuated because it was about to catch fire. Luckily, the studio was OK, but during that time we had discovered Loren and reached out to him. He was like, ‘I’m literally on a plane to LA right now, do you wanna meet up?’ So we went to lunch for five hours and talked forever. He’s a fascinating person. 

India Shore: Then we went and lived with him for a couple of months in upstate New York. It’s called Tuxedo Park, which has a racetrack and some of the elements from our fictional town. 

You mentioned Twin Peaks before. Are you big David Lynch fans? 

India Shore: We did a big Twin Peaks deep dive and watched every season. But we also watched Thelma & Louise, Flashdance, Billy Elliot, Close Encounters, we were just watching a ton of movies while working on this album. 

Did it impact you when David Lynch died earlier this year? 

India Shore: Absolutely. I think it would have had an impact on any person who makes art or appreciates art of any kind. He was such a visionary – a person who made exactly what he wanted to make throughout his life and was so committed to doing that. 

Claire Altendahl: Also, how cool is it to have your last name become an adjective? That’s how you know you’ve really made it in the world. 

Seeing the biggest pop stars in the world be queer women is the best ‘fuck you’ ever

You’ve worked with King Princess and Rachel Chinouriri, who else would you love to work with? 

Claire Altendahl: I’ve got really into The Breeders lately. I would love to work with Kim Deal. I’m terrified of her, but she’s so fucking cool. I’d be shaking in my boots. 

We’re witnessing a moment in time when LGBTQ+ rights are being threatened in global politics, but in music, queer artists seem to be thriving – especially queer women artists. How does it feel to be part of this movement we’re seeing? 

India Shore: Queer artists have always been at the forefront of every art form. You can trace it all back to gay people. It’s been really amazing to see in the past couple of years everyone get in line with that. It feels like a celebratory time to be a queer person making art in America. 

Claire Altendahl: It’s crazy right now. The optimist in me hopes this is just a screaming death cry and all these people are rearing their ugly heads for one last big push at homophobia. It’s been really tough, but the queer community is so solid that it gives me a lot of hope. I’d do anything for someone within the queer community. 

India Shore: And seeing the biggest pop stars in the world be queer women is the best “fuck you” ever. You’ll see straight Christian women making TikToks to Chappell Roan songs. That’s great. It’s an amazing time to bear witness to that happening and to feel a part of it. Gay people have always been there and will continue to be there forever. We just have to continue supporting our community and protecting the trans people in our lives. 

Who were the queer artists that influenced you growing up?

Claire Altendahl: I think Brandi Carlile was my first memory. My mom loved her, and watching my mom love a queer artist was really impactful to me. Knowing that my mom supported gay people. I also think [Carlile] is one of the greatest performers of all time. 

India Shore: I think the first queer artist I was aware of was probably Freddie Mercury. 

Your biggest hit to date, “Fuck You Heather”, came out five years ago. Who’s someone you’d like to say Fuck You to in 2025? 

Claire Altendahl: Trump is such an easy target. There must be something better. 

India Shore: Fuck you, JD Vance. 

Claire Altendahl: Fuck the TERFs and fuck you Elon Musk.