Josephine Network: "I Really Enjoy Rock 'N' Roll Monster Songs. Edgar Winter Has 'Frankenstein,' The Move Has 'Brontosaurus'...I Wanted To Add to the Canon"

Josephine Network has carved out her own wild corner of New York rock 'n' roll, a space where hook-filled glam drama, fuzz-drenched riffs, and monster-sized imagination all collide. Her latest single, "Roll Over Godzilla" distills that spirit into a playful anthem that feels like it stomped straight out of a midnight movie and onto the city streets. Both outrageously charming and heartfelt, it shows exactly why Josephine is one of the most exciting voices carrying rock forward today. In a new interview, Josephine discusses the new single, performing a set in a wrestling ring, and shares a sneak peek into the upcoming album.

Photo by Maxime Smadja

Hot Sounds: Hi Josephine, so great to be talking to you again! Thanks for sending us your new single "Roll Over Godzilla." What exactly is the story behind it? 

Josephine Network: I was playing around in Drop C, which is really heavy and unusual for me, and I wrote this monster riff, and knew I needed to make a monster song based around it! I really enjoy rock 'n' roll monster songs. Edgar Winter has "Frankenstein," The Move has "Brontosaurus"...I wanted to add to the canon. When I sang "Roll Over Godzilla and tell monkey the news," I knew I had it there. Chuck Berry said "Roll Over Beethoven," and Josephine said "Roll Over Godzilla"! I really wanted the track to sound like cartoonishly feral monsters making love in the middle of New York. I made a demo at home and showed it to my friend Ryan Howe — he's a fantastic engineer currently in Sloppy Jane. He instantly dug it and indulged us a day of studio time, with our old friend Michael Badillo providing massive thunderous drums. I did guitar, bass and vocals and it just came together so quick. Half the lyrics were made up on the spot. Ryan put the bass through some nasty fuzz. He produced the upcoming JN album too, we work really well together and I can't wait to share everything we cooked up. 

HS: What is your relationship with Godzilla?

JN: Godzilla is a fierce diva I admire! When she first emerges from the water in the original film, it is absolutely terrifying to witness. Even though she’s big and scary, I don’t think she’s evil. She is simply a force of nature. Monsters can be seen as tragic beings because they don’t choose to be born too big, too tall, too strong or too heavy. They are villainized for simply existing. But they deserve to exist and deserve crazy love and music to make them feel sexy and powerful! Don’t you think?

HS: Earlier in the year, you also released the wonderful "Red Chiffon." How did that one come about? 

JN: That came about because I wanted to write a glam rock ballad, Ziggy Stardust style.  When I said, "Oh John I really can’t go on like this, it smells like cigarettes and piss, everybody’s gone," it really was about feeling hopeless and alienated by dead-end gigs and the bleakness of rock n roll city life. Then Marie comes in her red chiffon and gives me hope again. Women give me hope for rock 'n' roll's future and that’s what the song is really about.  And there’s something intriguing about chiffon — it’s revealing, kind of see-through, but still somewhat opaque which makes it a perfect object of glamour.  Hershguy played drums on that, he's in the JN live band and plays in Brower and SUO with me, and is just incredible.

HS: Are these two singles teasing an upcoming LP? If so, what else can you preview about that and when can fans expect it? 

JN: The singles are standalone tracks, just putting stuff out for fun. The upcoming LP however is serious business! It’s called Hooked and it’s coming out on Lolipop Records early next year! The LP will be ten brand new ones. It’s a thrilling sensational rock and roll joy ride, very glam very ridiculous very fun. Definitely some delicious riffs to be devoured.

Photo by Nico Malvaldi

HS: For our recent compilation, Snap! Crackle! Pop! Where The Action Is Vol. 1, you also contributed one of my favorite demos "You Are." Where did this track come from and what do you remember about writing it? 

JN: I'm glad to hear it was one of your favorites, thanks! I wrote it a few years ago, about an unrequited love. That’s why it sounds so bittersweet. It has a Lennon thing going on. I made a few versions over the years, but last year I was teaching at a music school and had access to a grand piano. After hours I made a really good demo of it. I don’t usually release my demos but I liked the haunted sound, it seemed perfect for the comp. 

HS: How cool was it for you and your band to perform a set in a wrestling ring earlier in the year? What’s the story behind that?

JN: That was at Twinks Vs. Dolls, a crazy pride event put on by Singers. It was an unforgettable experience, complete excessive insanity. Bouncing up and down singing "Fat Doll" to 4000 people in a wrestling ring… it was totally bonkers. The MC Denée Francis was pouring whiskey into people’s mouths while we were shredding and the whole VIP section flashed us at one point…like a hair metal cartoon. I feel like every trans person needs a band, it just makes life better, you never know what could happen. I know everyone reading this probably has one already…

HS: What's next for you and your band after this new single?

JN: I am playing with Talulah Paisley and Precious Gorgeous tonight! The band is playing with Lightheaded and Cruise Control on Monday, and we're playing with Lord Friday the 13th in November. New York City really has it all. The new album is coming out early 2026, stay tuned, we wanna tour!!!

HS: Lastly, do you have any advice or last words you’d like to share with your fans and our readers? 

JN: Roll Over Godzilla and tell monkey the news!