Dirty Linen talks about the new song Leave Me Alone
Written by: Ellie Mason
All-female Brisbane-based punk band Dirty Linen have released their debut single LEAVE ME ALONE, just one year after they first established themselves as a sapphic riot rock artist. The track officially dropped on May 1, 2026, showcasing the act’s signature blend of carefully-crafted lyrics and electrifying instrumentals.
The four-piece band—composed of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Tullie Aziah, lead guitarist Amy May Storey, bass player Arni McCulloch, and drummer Amy Hoffman—were deliberate in choosing which of their songs to release first.
“It is the main song that sounds like the music we’re trying to make, and what we’re trying to say. And it’s a really important message, so I feel like we’re starting with this song, so we can set the tone for the music that we want to put out,” said Aziah.
If LEAVE ME ALONE is the standard for what Dirty Linen will be releasing, fans have good reason to be excited. Aziah’s talent for writing stands front-and-center in this release, featuring lines like, “just a puppet in your ego, but I am not your muse,” and, “you think a seedy look from you is divine validation.” Without any vocal effects or adjustments, the raw and unrestrained quality to Aziah’s voice is reminiscent of Riot Grrrl bands like Tribe 8 or Free Kitten—with similar rage-fuelled feminist messages.
The song, Aziah said, originally started as a poem written after an older man harassed her coworker and refused to leave until she agreed to a date. “We just have to act like that’s okay, or just put up with it. Because there’s that fear that if you do say no, they might hurt you or just might not listen. So yeah, we just scream ‘leave me alone’ and hope maybe they’ll listen to that,” she said.
The vocals aren’t the only stand-out element of the track. The distorted guitar tones are undercut by a clear, sharp drum rhythm, creating a full-sounding instrumental mix that supports the band’s vocalist without overshadowing her. McCulloch particularly stands out in the second verse, with her bass adding a necessary layer of depth to the track as it intensifies.
Fans who heard the song live before its release might be surprised by how different the track sounds now compared to a year ago when it was first written, but Dirty Linen’s fluid sound is something that the band embraces wholeheartedly.
“It didn’t have a chorus earlier on, or it was slower, and it’s changed a lot since we’ve released it. It’s now a different structure, and it’s faster, and it’s lived a different life,” said Aziah. Hoffman noted that the song “used to be entirely different on the drums,” but was partly rewritten during the recording process.
Dirty Linen has a uniquely visual workshopping process: Hoffman creates tables that outline each track’s structure, and her bandmates work together to rework things when inspiration strikes. McCulloch explained that by having their songs visually represented, it becomes easier to bring the concepts to life. “We were able to move some verses around, to have an effect and make the message more clear, and I don’t know if we would’ve done that without seeing the lyrics written down,” she said.
Building on the excitement around the single release, Dirty Linen continues looking to the future of their band—even teasing a potential second release coming soon. “I think we’re mostly just focusing on this [track] and then that will hopefully come next, which is exciting,” said Storey.
Hoffman noted that their second track sounds “incredibly different” from their first, and McCulloch dropped some hints that the next track will have a slower, less heavy sound. After such a strong debut single it is exciting to see where Dirty Linen goes next, and how their standout vocals and instrumentals will adapt to another style.
LEAVE ME ALONE is now streaming on all music services. Follow the band’s Instagram (@dirtylinenband) for updates on upcoming live shows or music releases.
