Q&A: Dirt Flirt Gets Raw and Real with Vulnerable Emo-Pop Anthem “Dramatic"
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
Photo By Rebecca Holly
LONDON-BASED ALT-POP ARTIST DIRT FLIRT is making waves with her unapologetically vulnerable sound and magnetic stage presence. The solo project of multi-instrumentalist Kit Eaton-Kent, Dirt Flirt effortlessly blends haunting synths, gritty guitars, and introspective lyricism to create music that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. Following the angsty, fan-favorite track "Like Madonna," her latest single, "Dramatic," delves into themes of self-sabotage and vulnerability, exploring what it means to be your own worst enemy.
With comparisons to artists like The Japanese House and 070 Shake, Dirt Flirt is carving out her own unique space in London’s music scene while building a devoted community of misfit pop fans. With her raw, emo-pop edge and fearless approach to self-expression, Dirt Flirt is a rising star you’ll want to keep on your radar.
In this exclusive interview, Dirt Flirt opens up about the inspiration behind "Dramatic," the evolution of her sound, and how her queer identity and love for storytelling shape her music.
LUNA: Your latest single, "Dramatic," dives into the idea of being your "own worst enemy." Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this track and what it means to you personally?*
DIRT FLIRT: I wrote this track at a time where I had to change my life around. I was stuck in a toxic cycle of hating myself and it was ruining everything good in my life. The ‘own worst enemy’ lyric was actually thrown in just to make the song sound more emo, but I realised it represents the whole arc of the song - how being your ‘own worst enemy’ and letting your insecurities control your life can ultimately destroy you and your relationships.
LUNA: The song blends haunting synths and dirty guitars with your unique voice. How did you approach the production process to bring out the emotion and energy of "Dramatic"?*
DIRT FLIRT: I took the first demo to Pete (Redshank, Producer), who helped me bring it to life. It took us a while to get it exactly right, trying to keep the original haunting feel of the demo, but also wanting it to hit more like a grunge track. Playing ‘Dramatic’ live a bunch of times helped me figure out how I wanted it to sound on record. I think a lot of the emotion comes from the vocal delivery and chord progressions in this track. There’s one chord in the chorus that at first I was hesitant to use, because I didn’t want it to sound cheesy, but Pete pushed for it and I’m so glad because it makes the whole song hit so much harder.
LUNA: Your music often explores vulnerability and queer themes through an alt-pop lens. How do these elements shape the stories you tell in your songs?
DIRT FLIRT: For me vulnerability is always what drives me to write songs. I tell stories about my life, sometimes these get twisted into fiction and sometimes they’re raw truth. I like that people listening will never know which is which. Being queer is part of my every day life - obviously that isn’t a choice, but having the choice to include this in my songs is so exciting to me. I never used to write love songs or songs about sex, because when I was younger I was ashamed of being a lesbian and thought people would be like ‘ew gross keep it to yourself’, which is crazy! So that’s why my first release was a sapphic love song. That’s how I wanted to introduce Dirt Flirt to the world.
LUNA: "Dramatic" follows your angsty fan-favorite "Like Madonna." How do you feel these tracks represent your growth as an artist and the evolution of your sound?*
DIRT FLIRT: I think the in-your-face energy of both the songs ties them nicely together, but the angst of ‘Like Madonna’ is definitely replaced with melancholy in ‘Dramatic’. These are only my very first few songs released, and I think people will be surprised where I go next with my sound.
LUNA: You’ve been carving out a space in London’s music scene and growing a devoted community of fans. How has performing live and connecting with your audience influenced your music?
DIRT FLIRT: Performing live is my favourite part of what I do, and I think that people who come to my shows can see that! It’s really important for me to gauge audience reactions to certain tracks too - if they seem bored by a song I’m probably not going to release that song. It’s also allowed me to meet fans which feels so special, and kind of surreal. Having the same few people down the front at every show is so exciting, and weirdly comforting. We also have a group chat where I share demos and updates, and just chat about whatever we want.
LUNA: Your sound draws comparisons to artists like The Japanese House and 070 Shake. Who are some of your biggest influences, and how have they shaped your artistic vision?
DIRT FLIRT: I love both of those artists! They’ve definitely influenced my writing and the production choices I make. I always say my biggest influences are MUNA and My Chemical Romance, which feels like such a cursed combo lol. But to me it makes so much sense. Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance) shaped the way I perform, and I was always so stunned by how immersive their music and concepts were. MUNA was my gateway to writing pop songs. I’d never felt seen and represented by a pop band before so I naturally became obsessed. But if I hadn’t discovered them, maybe I never would’ve made the leap to make pop music, which I can’t even imagine now.
LUNA: With the momentum of "Like Madonna" and now "Dramatic," what’s next for Dirt Flirt? Can fans expect more new music or upcoming live shows soon?
DIRT FLIRT: Definitely new music in the new year. I’m hyped to be releasing with Final Girl Records, I’ve never worked with a label before and they just totally get the vision. I’ll be back playing live shows around the same time too. I can’t wait to release everything I’ve been playing live this past year. Maybe a collab too…I won’t say anymore.
