Violet Grohl Finds Her Own Frequency in Rock's Ever-Evolving Soundscape

Violet Grohl carves her unique path in music, blending legacy with fresh energy in her debut album and live shows.

Inside the Heart of a Rock Sanctuary

Nestled within an unassuming industrial stretch northwest of Los Angeles sits a two-building compound that’s anything but ordinary. To an outsider, it might seem like just another nondescript warehouse, but inside, it's the ultimate haven for rock enthusiasts. Imagine rooms stacked floor-to-ceiling with gear, giant road cases branded with the Foo Fighters' iconic name, and a kitchen stocked with Pop Tart varieties and energy drinks. Even a pair of Slayer-themed Jagermeister bottles personalized for Dave Grohl languish unopened beneath a colossal TV screen.

But despite this shrine to rock legend Dave Grohl, he and the Foo Fighters are off soaking up some well-deserved downtime before hitting the road for their world tour promoting their latest album, My Favorite Toy. Today, the spotlight is on a rising star in her own right — Dave’s soon-to-be 20-year-old daughter, Violet Grohl. She’s not just dabbling; she’s stepping into the frontwoman role with a sense of real-time discovery, learning the ropes of leading a band with a mix of nerves and excitement.

A Bandroom Alive with Laughter and Music

When I caught up with Violet in April, she was just weeks away from her first full-band performance at a Long Beach record store. The rehearsal space radiated a casual, relaxed vibe, almost like a pressure valve letting off steam. Violet and her best friend Persia — daughter of new wave legend Gary Numan — cracked inside jokes in playful British accents, filling the room with laughter.

Between songs, Violet casually inhaled from her vape pen and quipped, "any grandmas in the house?" — a charming, cheeky line that barely registered as she dove back into the music. But as the band kicked back into gear, focus sharpened. The mood shifted from playful banter to precise, passionate musicianship.

Sound That Commands Attention

The tracks from Violet’s debut album, Be Sweet to Me, don’t flirt with hesitation. They burst forth loud, fuzzy, and irresistibly catchy — songs that make you want to move, yet hold a deeper emotional gravity. Opening with “THUM,” a track propelled by a strutting riff and a vocal delivery that’s both tender and biting, the sound evokes memories of Songs for the Deaf-era Queens of the Stone Age or the raw power of early Foo Fighters.

On “595,” inspired by a phone sex hotline t-shirt, drummer Anthony Lopez serves up fills that seem overqualified for the cozy rehearsal room, while guitarist Salar Rajabnik and bassist Ainjil Emme stretch the outro into a dazzling, explosive finale — more intense than its studio version.

Slower numbers like “Cool Buzz” and “Swallowtail” bring a different tension. Rajabnik’s guitar teases the amp with feedback, as if tuning into a radio signal from another dimension. Violet herself stands center stage, her look casual — oversized pants, split-toe black flats, hair clipped up — no flashy stage costume, just raw presence. When hiccups interrupt a take, a simple trick of cupping both ears and sipping water helps her reset. “This should be fun! It shouldn’t be like dragging yourself down to the studio to rehearse with the band. If that’s you, you’ve lost the plot,” she insists with refreshing candor.

From Solitude to Collaboration: The Making of 'Be Sweet to Me'

Just a year ago, these songs were still crystallizing with the help of producer Justin Raisen, known for his work with Kim Gordon and Charli XCX. At that point, the idea of sharing the music with the world felt abstract and distant. Violet had been writing songs since her early teens, but this project took on a new weight. Listeners would soon interpret, relate to, or maybe even misunderstand her work — a reality that brought a mix of thrill and nerves.

Violet describes the process as a rollercoaster of new faces, conversations, and expectations — a journey, she says, catching herself mid-cliché but embracing it fully. Growing up, music was omnipresent but never forced. Concerts, car sing-alongs, collecting CDs and vinyl, and crafting playlists were just part of life in the Grohl household. “It has always been right in front of me or around me,” she reflects.

What sets Be Sweet to Me apart is its rapid creation. Unlike many debuts that simmer over years, this album came together almost overnight once Raisen entered the scene. Dave Grohl himself recommended Justin after Kim Gordon raved about his work. A call between Violet and Raisen quickly evolved into a collaborative magic. “We talked about music, our influences, idols, and what we wanted to create. The energy was so perfect that after six hours, we knew we had to keep going,” Violet recalls. Their first day produced “THUM” — a potent start.

This shift from solitary perfectionism to dynamic teamwork brought the album to life. Infectious tracks like “Bug in the Cake” and the frenetic “Often Others” sprang from this creative flow — sometimes fully formed, other times sparked by a single evocative phrase or image.

Taking the Show on the Road

This vibe of collaboration extends to the live experience Violet is crafting. With plans to tour worldwide through the year’s end, she’s gearing up for major festival appearances — including the U.K.’s Reading and Leeds, Chicago’s Riot Fest, Atlanta’s Shaky Knees, New York’s CBGB Festival, and the All Things Go festival in Maryland. November and December will see her opening for beabadoobee on five European arena dates, marking her biggest shows yet.

“We’re experimenting with pedal sounds and dialing in tones to get everything just right,” she explains. Though the band currently has only five songs, Violet is already strategizing her setlist pacing — balancing high-octane anthems with slower, moodier tracks to create a compelling arc without revealing too much of the still-unreleased album.

Down the road, fans can expect quirky covers from short-lived but influential ’80s punk bands like Squirrel Bait, plus subversive pop gems from cult duo Ween, alongside fresh new originals that might shape her next record.

Forging Identity Beyond Legacy

While the Grohl name carries undeniable weight, Be Sweet to Me is about carving an identity that isn’t defined by lineage — not in opposition, but as its own entity. Violet is open about the influence of growing up immersed in music, absorbing it as if by osmosis, and learning the craft of making lasting art. Yet she insists that none of that dilutes the need to find her own voice.

The album’s sound wasn’t pieced together from a checklist of classic influences. Instead, it grew naturally from the shared tastes and spontaneous reactions of everyone involved. You hear echoes of ’90s alt-rock legends like the Breeders, the Sundays’ haunting vocals, and the punchy kick drum rhythms of modern industrial metal. Violet’s fascination with late filmmaker David Lynch even oozes through the shimmering, beautifully sung single “What’s Heaven Without You,” released early in 2026.

Over time, Violet’s connection to the songs has evolved. Lyrics that once felt vague now reveal layered meanings — touching on themes of consumerism, identity, and the quest for authentic human experience beneath society’s surface.

“We constantly have people telling us how to think, how to feel, how to be, what to buy, what to do,” she says about the track “Mobile Star.” “You’re doing this, but no, you really should be doing this. Where is the humanity in all of it? There’s so much more to life and joy than those small dopamine hits.”

Performance: From Intimate Spaces to Giant Arenas

Violet’s experience spans both ends of the stage spectrum. From the intimacy of L.A. clubs during Greg Kurstin’s annual Hanukkah Sessions, performing alongside her dad, to the grandeur of London’s Wembley Stadium for the 2022 tribute to late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, she knows what each setting demands.

“In small clubs, you see people’s faces up close. I can read lips and catch what they’re saying to each other,” Violet shares. “It’s vulnerable, intimate, and intense — but incredibly rewarding because there’s no way to not be connected in that moment.”

Chasing a Feeling in the Rehearsal Room

Back in the rehearsal space, the band tears through “Bug in the Cake,” a vivid blend of personal narrative and surreal imagery — inspired partly by a Halloween party Violet threw after moving into her late grandma’s house, and partly by a ghostly TV mischief incident.

When the jam ends, drummer Lopez beams, “That felt pretty good, you guys!” And in that simple declaration lies the essence of Violet’s journey: amid expectations and inevitable comparisons, what really matters is the unfiltered joy of making music with friends, chasing that elusive feeling that only a band fully locked in can summon.

“This album is very collaborative, not in a ‘everyone works for one person’ way,” Violet notes. “It’s about everyone working for the greater good of the group, because we all care deeply about the music and our instruments. We lift each other up, finding ways to make each song the best, coolest, prettiest, or saddest it can be. I just love making music with my friends.”

FAQ

• How did Violet Grohl's debut album come together so quickly?
  The album Be Sweet to Me was created swiftly after producer Justin Raisen joined the project, turning Violet’s initially solitary process into a collaborative and dynamic experience.
• What kind of music influences shape Violet’s sound?
  Her sound draws from ’90s alternative rock like the Breeders, the Sundays’ haunting vocals, modern industrial metal rhythms, and even cinematic inspiration from David Lynch.
• Where can fans see Violet Grohl perform live?
  Violet’s touring through the year includes major festivals like Reading and Leeds, Riot Fest, Shaky Knees, CBGB Festival, and she will open for beabadoobee in European arenas this fall.
• How does Violet approach live performances differently in small clubs versus large stadiums?
  Small clubs offer intimate connection, allowing her to read audience expressions closely, while larger venues provide grand scale energy but less personal interaction.
• What themes does Violet explore in her lyrics?
  Her songs touch on consumerism, identity, humanity, and the search for authentic joy beyond fleeting dopamine hits.

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