The saying goes, “If you know you know.” And in this case, if you’ve ever experienced Brooklyn’s unapologetic, experimental, and subversive nightlife, you know that Macy Rodman is royalty, making crowds go wild dancing to her songs like “Greased Up Freak.” Rodman moved from Alaska to New York for fashion school, but left in pursuit of life in the spotlight. She’s put out two albums, one EP, and co-hosts Nymphowars, an absurdist comedy podcast. “I love creating characters both in my music and in my podcast,” she says. “I’m drawn to humor, sincerity, and chaotic good.”
Like her personality, her musical inspirations are unconventional, ranging from Britney Spears’s bombastic vision of glossy, openhearted femininity to Prince’s instrumental prowess and provocative point of view to director David Cronenberg’s focus on horror, humor, ecstasy, and the mundane in his filmmaking. “His obsession with the human body as a sexual, traumatic acid trip has influenced how I look at my own body both in my work and my life,” says Rodman.
Right now, she’s writing new music. “The record I’m working on currently is my attempt at writing love songs, which I’ve never really done before, and my sound palette has been a kind of ’60s via ’90s psychedelic pop thing with some new wave thrown in.” The Cut spoke with her about sexy animals, video games, and Bottoms.
What would your Real Housewives tagline be?
“I may be dead, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still alive.”
If you were running for office, what would your campaign song be and why?
I wouldn’t run, but I would stand outside the White House and play “Sweet But Psycho” by Ava Max on repeat because these politicians are crazy!
What kind of animal would you be and why?
It kinda sucks to be an animal. You can’t really be that sexy. I guess I’d be like a flamingo because you can just hang out in the water and eat shrimp all day.
What are you excited about right now?
I just finished this video game called Control that was fab, and I can’t wait to play all the side missions now that I have all the powers. I’m also excited about making happy, fun music again. My last album was pretty intense to make, so now I’m just having a good time, and it’s been a blast to write.
What are the last three songs you’ve listened to?
“Bizarre Love Triangle” by New Order, “I Don’t Wanna Lose You“ by Tina Turner, and “Garbage Lady” by Bottoms.
What superpower would you have and why?
I would be able to change my body in any way at will and smoke cigarettes with no consequences.
What’s your idea of a perfect day?
Eighty degrees in New York City going to some party at a place I’ve never been before, along with some old friends and a new fling who can actually hold a conversation with my friends.
What goals are you working toward at the moment?
Finishing a surplus of songs for my record so I have a lot to choose from, making a little money somehow without a day job or playing any shows, keeping a regular fitness regimen, and staying sane during quarantine.
What three fictional characters do you relate to most?
Lara Croft, Joanne from Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, and Lady Gaga.
What piece of advice has had the biggest impact on you and why?
My former teacher Carla Westcott once said to me after I had been on a bender, skipped a ton of classes, looked terrible, and was staying up all night, “Okay, you’ve had your fun. Now it’s time to get serious about your future. I don’t care if it’s design or music or what, but if I have to read about you under the headline ‘Club Kid Found Dead,’ I’m gonna be so pissed.” It made me realize that at least one person gave a shit about me and what I was doing. I didn’t get clean right then, but it put me on a path to taking my work and my health seriously.
