Lydia Night of The Regrettes Makes No Apologies

The youth are in revolt, and Lydia Night is heading up the revolution. The bold frontwoman behind glittery California punk rock band The Regrettes is just on the cusp of 18, but it’d be patronizing to call her “wise beyond her years”: Her wisdom is wholly grounded in the idealistic sociocultural ambitions of youth, and her power derives from her voice.

“Our youth are stronger than ever and feeling more empowered than ever due to all these inspiring kids,” Night shares. “I think opening up conversation is one of our biggest tools and powers that we have. You don’t have to preach your opinions, but if something is brought up, be really unapologetic on how you feel about it. Don’t let people tell you to be silent or tell you to shut up because people are scared of real opinions.”

Whether she’s on stage wailing about people letting her down with the ferocity of a thousand Riot grrrls on bubblegum-punk tracks like “Come Through,” or engaging in discourse about sexism and politics, Night recognizes the importance of speaking up. “I see someone like Emma González and I think, ‘Holy shit, I can really speak my mind and I can make change. I can do something about things in the world because she’s doing that.’ The Regrettes can give people that same feeling. People can look at us and go, ‘Whoa. They’re speaking their minds. They’re being themselves unapologetically.’ That’s the coolest thing ever.”