Seattle garage rock trio Biblioteka talks new music video/single “She’s Bad” + ‘Kikimora’ EP out October 13

Written by Tori Yeasky

Seattle-based Biblioteka is the high-energy garage rock trio consisting of Mary Robins on vocals and bass, Hexx Rodriguez on guitar, and Jules Tennyson on drums. The group combines a mix of grunge, punk, and garage sounds to produce upbeat and invigorating rock tracks not unlike those of the B52s and Blondie. Biblioteka grew from the seeds of a dissolved project, and the name unifies meaning across Robins’ Ukrainian background and Rodriguez’s Mexican roots.

Best Left’s managing editor Tori Yeasky had the opportunity to pick the brains of Biblioteka as they discussed their latest music video and single “She’s Bad,” as well as their upcoming three-track EP Kikimora releasing on Oct. 13 via Freakout Records.

Photo Credit: Travis Trautt

Best Left Magazine: Mary, Hexx, and Jules: How are you all feeling about the release of your recent single + music video, “She’s Bad”? How about your upcoming EP, ‘Kikimora,’ which releases on Oct. 13? 

Mary: I’m super excited to be releasing new music for our fans, and I’m proud to have our first record out on vinyl. We’re gearing up for our biggest tour yet, so yeah, we are feeling groovy baby.

What were some of your inspirations when creating “She’s Bad”? How about the other two songs on your EP, “Wig Out” and “Kikimora”?

M: I was inspired to write Kikimora after watching Obayashi’s House (1977), which reminded me of a story my mother would tell me from Ukrainian folklore. When I wasn’t watching movies, I was spending time hanging out in the night time. I started pulling a lot of influences from dance nights we would go out to, haunting bars, and fall-wintertime dreary Seattle. Growing up here, this city has made a huge impact on my life. “She’s Bad” is to remind people that we’re not always sad and depressed, sometimes we’re angry.

How do each of the three songs featured on the EP relate to or build off one another? 

M: “Kikimora” was written first and these songs take you on a journey of my life last year when I was 27 and trying to really discover who I was, you know like your typical coming-of-age shit. “Wig Out,” our dance song, was inspired by a Seattle dance night where we would haunt often and party a little too hard. “She’s Bad” was written last and was during a time of when I was starting to feel overwhelmed, sad, and angry. I was reminded that women can be bad, and don’t have to be evil.

What is the essence of “Kikimora”? Is there any significance behind the title? 

M: “Kikimora” is a spooky sad girl song. Growing up my mom would tell me about this mythical creature called a kikimora that would hide in dark corners of the house. “Kikimora” pairs well with a little Disaronno and playing with a Ouija board.

How would you describe your creative process as you were working on this project?

Hexx: Is being Seattle sober a thing? Lol.

M: We’re mostly fueled with coffee and weed, usually either I or Hexx would have a melody or guitar riff and we’ll write the first version of the song. Nine versions later, the song is written. Somewhere within that timeline, Jules will enter, but that’s our secret recipe. 

What were some influences behind the music video for your single “She’s Bad”? 

M: Hexx and I had the idea to do a music video where I get stuck up on a roof, reliving the events of the night before, just like in the movie The Hangover but from the perspective of the guy on the roof. 

Jules: Visually, we went for a trippy feel a la The Cramps, and the visuals also match the feeling of the song — hazy, wild, and a little surreal. 

Can you talk about what it was like shooting the music video? 

M: It was filmed at a top secret location on the rooftop above a cool rock and roll bar we frequent (Screwdriver). We also filmed in an abandoned Masonic Temple ballroom. It was eerie and the it felt like home. We found a creepy framed photo of Kim Jong Un (sp?) in a dark corner. Pretty sure I saw a ghost and I’m haunted now.

What are you most proud of accomplishing with this project? 

M: I’m always proud of just being able to release new music, but this time we recorded as if it were a live album. We’ve been getting asked to release our music on vinyl by our fans and that’s been a dream, so we’re releasing Kikimora on 7-inch in my favorite color, neon coral. 

How does this latest release compare to your earlier tracks + sound? 

H: Now that we’re a power trio, it’s way more guitar heavy, faster, and louder. Mary has been getting more powerful too vocally and we wanted to accentuate the rawness of her voice. We let the songs speak for themselves.

What is on the horizon for Biblioteka?

M: We’re working on our next full-length record. We’re planning a US tour. We’re exploring ourselves through music and having a really damn good time. And maybe I’ll figure out my shit one day. But not today. 

Biblioteka sets out their She’s Bad Tour on Sept. 29. Be sure to check out “She’s Bad” below, keep an eye out for Kikimora out Oct. 13, and stop by an upcoming tour date near you!