Five figures are outlined by purple lights on The Union stage while the rest of the venue goes dim. Drummer Jack Perry hits his drumsticks together, counting down as his two lead singers make their ways to center stage. The melody of the band’s original song, “Can I Take You Home? (Can’t Help Myself)” blares through the speakers, and Girl Idiot is warmed up for its set for Benefest.
Adorned in a black tank top and a recent haircut is lead vocalist Isaac Kurtz, a junior studying sociology criminology. To his left stands co-lead vocalist Brogan Bosworth, a junior studying creative writing and entrepreneurship, also dressed in black to compliment her bandmate.
Behind them remains Perry, a sophomore studying strategic leadership and management, along with guitarist Christian Ortiz, a sophomore studying music production and recording, and bassist Josh Key, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering.
In addition to its vivid talent, the band’s chemistry is palpable and refreshing, all smiles on stage and off, constantly conversing and jokingly ripping on each other, signaling the close friendship Girl Idiot has provided the group of unlikely friends.
Bosworth woke up one morning with a dream, and all it took was one social media post to the OU class Snapchat stories to make it a reality.
“I put a post out and said, ‘If anybody wants to get a band together, let’s do it,’” she said. “I actually had a ton of people reach out, so I had to pick and choose.”
Perry was the last to join the band during Spring semester this year and in “the tiniest little room in Glidden,” Girl Idiot was born.
Although the name of the band started out as a placeholder, a play on the all-fem band boy genius, the members of Girl Idiot said it just stuck.
“I was like, ‘I’m going to name my f------ band that, and nobody can stop me,” Bosworth said, laughing. “The only way we’re going to change it is if it’s unanimously something else.”
Drawing inspiration from bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica, the band has experience in nearly every genre. Each member said their musical backgrounds differed, from jazz to grunge to theater. On stage, the group acts and plays as though they’ve known each other for a lifetime.
Even with its melting pot past, Girl Idiot has one thing in common; even through nerves, coming together to play is the most gratifying feeling.
“I start looking up from the drum kit and looking at everybody else, that's when I feel like everything starts locking in, because sometimes I just go and stare at the snare drum, and then I look up, I'm like, ‘Oh s---, I'm playing with people,’” Perry said.
The band’s first show Oct. 5 was a collectively fond memory of the band, as every rehearsal and get-together came to fruition. At the end of each day, no matter how stressful, the band’s members have each other’s backs.
“It’s motivation for sure,” Kurtz said. “Just throughout my day, like, ‘I got to wake up for class today, that way I can go to practice later’ ... These guys have definitely brought me out and have given me something to hold onto.”
As for the future, it’s all gas and no breaks. The band, although resting for the holidays, said it’s ready to take on every gig it can get its hands on for Spring. That includes branching out and traveling to places in Columbus and Cleveland to explore the grunge scenes present there.
On a whim, Girl Idiot came to life on South Green and the group believes the music it makes truly means something.
“Music is such an art and there's three things in life that everybody can understand, it's food, music and sex,” Perry said. “When you're able to share your art with everybody else … it’s just awesome.”
Girl Idiot posts its upcoming shows on its Instagram for those looking to see when it will play next.
“Spring semester, we're going stupid,” Bosworth said.
