“Virality is not necessarily substantive,” says Annie Nardolilli, half of the D.C. duo Griefcat, whose song “I Already Took Off My Bra” has racked up 50 million views and was shared by Viola Davis.
For the 148th interview, I met Annie and her bandmate Louisa Hall for dinner at La Betty in Washington, D.C. Louisa is a returning guest, first interviewed in 2014 (interview 57) as a solo ukulele songwriter. Annie, who started her career working in a county jail at 22, is the legit stranger.
Griefcat is a musical comedy duo, with Annie on guitar, Louisa on ukulele, tight harmonies and matching sparkly outfits. Their songs include “Revolution (Poop at Work),” “Fridge Cigarette” (an ode to Diet Coke), “Virginia is for Titties” and a Victorian era tuberculosis beach anthem. They’ve been on The Kelly Clarkson Show, but millions of views don’t automatically fill rooms.
They talk about turning online fame into “butts in seats,” the band name that means the cat you get after a breakup, their new manager, winning their first comedy competition and why they feel on the cusp of going full time.