Meet Karen Dió, Brazil’s powerhouse igniting the feminist punk scene

Two decades after starting her journey in music, 2024 has been the year that rising punk artist Karen Dió has found her place – embracing an unfiltered, non-conformist version of herself and using her platform to empower the feminist and queer communities.

After parting ways with band Violet Soda and moving to the UK to establish herself as a solo artist, Dió began with a two-year hiatus, rediscovering herself and her musical identity before starting debut EP ‘My World’. Reflecting on her beginnings in Brazil, Dió realised she hadn’t been speaking her truths in a predominantly male-dominated society; Brazil recorded its highest levels of violence against women just this year.

“I’d always try to talk about feminism in my previous band, but I’d try to keep it a bit more hidden when it came to the lyrics,” she tells us. “So when I moved to the UK, there was a period where I took a step back to figure out who I really was. It wasn’t even about deciding who I wanted to be, it was about embracing who I am.

“It was quite refreshing to take that time after about 20 years grinding. I grew a lot during that period, and because of that, it felt right to write this EP and properly introduce myself,” she adds. “It’s like I’ve found a sense of freedom.”

Soon signing to Hopeless Records – the home of Avenged Sevenfold, Neck Deep, PVRIS and more – it didn’t take long to see how the leap paid off. Sharing the Joan Jett-inspired viral track ‘Sick Ride’ as her first single in 2023, the 33-year-old started to capture the imagination of punk fans across the country. She also won over support from some of the biggest names in rock – going on to lock in support slots with both Limp Bizkit and Sum 41, as well as join the bill for Download 2025.

“It’s cool for me – especially as a female artist – to have support from those huge names, but I also would love to see a bit more opportunity for the whole queer community too,” Dió explains. “Us artists were always here, but now it feels like we’re finally getting more space. It’s great that we’re finally seeing this new wave of talent,” she adds, making nods to Amyl and The Sniffers, Lambrini Girls, and Nova Twins. “There are so many amazing bands emerging and having recognition from big artists behind them”.

“Part of me is like, ‘it’s about time’, but part of me is just so grateful that these guys are giving me the opportunity and supporting me,” she continues. “Going forward, I want to be part of the reason why this exposure keeps happening, because there are so many more artists who deserve more recognition.”

Having faced her past insecurities head-on and uncovered some of her most emotionally honest songwriting as a result, Dió tells NME about how her EP is the “liberating” first chapter in her new journey.

Two years ago you left your life in Brazil to begin afresh in the UK. What sparked the move, and has the scene here influenced your music?

“I was always into British culture! There are so many bands from the UK that really inspired me, and the art in general here is very freeing. That made me passionate about the country. Brazil is a very young nation and we’re getting there, but I feel like in that aspect the UK is so far ahead. Even small things like The Mighty Boosh — when I saw that for the first time it blew my mind [laughs]! It was so inspiring and it felt like I’d found a place where you can be yourself. It doesn’t matter who you are, you can be you and there will be a fanbase.

“In Brazil, it is making progress with that creativity but it can be slower in terms of the music scene. For people like me who do punk rock, it’s much more of a grind and you’ll probably never make it there. I was lucky enough to move to the UK and find this space where I could just be myself.”

There is a prominent theme of feminism in your lyrics. Why is it important for you to integrate that into your sound?

“I didn’t want to say I was very feminist [before] because Brazil is still a very sexist country. I wanted to include it to represent me, my girls and my queer friends, but at the same time I was trying to protect myself so guys would still listen to it.

“Since then, I’ve matured and moved to a place where I feel fine to say that ‘No, fuck that!’ My songs can be about feminism. They can be about kicking guys in their junk if they deserve it! Now it feels like ‘this is my place. I belong here and whether you like it or not is not my fucking problem. I’m not going anywhere.’ I’ve noticed the difference since I’ve been embracing it. More people are accepting of my music now and coming to shows wanting to buy my ‘Latin Riot Grrrl’ merch!

“Part of the inspiration comes from reading a lot about feminism and educating myself on it over the last two years. For [women], it can be really hard. We do try to shape ourselves in order to survive the whole business… but right now I’m comfortable being who I want to be. When it comes to feminism in my lyrics, it’s now as simple as ‘I know myself, I’ve grown up enough to say what I want, and I can be proud of myself.’”

“I belong here and whether you like it or not is not my fucking problem. I’m not going anywhere”

Since sharing ‘Sick Ride’ you’ve caught the attention of artists like Fred Durst and Sum 41 and signed to Hopeless Records. Why do you think your music resonates with people on such a vast scale?

“I believe it’s because I was born in ‘90s, so my references are very ‘90s as well. There are bands that I listened to since I was young like Veruca Salt, The Offspring, Green Day and Weezer, that I became inspired by, and their sound mixed into mine. Because of that, my music is both very refreshing but also very nostalgic.

“Finding this support from those names blew my mind. I feel like the chances of being discovered by people like that when you’re from Brazil are so much smaller than if you’re from America or the UK, so I’m so lucky that Fred Durst knows who I am and invited me to go on his stage. The same with Deryck [Whibley, Sum 41 singer], I’m grateful to have found this connection, and to see that people are resonating with my songs.”

How has your experience in the band Violet Soda affected your approach as a solo artist?

“Where I am now is because of Violet Soda. It was an amazing learning process and I was very dedicated to that project. Now though, I just feel like Karen Dió is the more authentic version of myself. When I was in the band I was still trying to prove myself. Trying to be accepted. Trying to be polite. Trying to not be as loud as I could be and trying to satisfy what was more of a man’s society so I could find my place.

“The main difference would be that in Violet Soda there was more of an element of me trying to please other people, whereas now I’m doing it 100 per cent as myself. For instance, there’s a silly song I’ve written about cutting my hair as short as I can because I always get comments from guys asking me to grow my hair. I don’t know why they think they should comment that! Anyway, I made a song about it – about how if you go against things like that you’ll discover who is really there for you. In Violet Soda there’s a chance I’d never release that song, but this is my solo career so I do whatever I want. There’s a bit more freedom.”

As an artist now based in the UK, do you think it is important to represent your Latin roots?

“Big time. I feel like I’m a very good mix between Brazilian and British. I have the heat, the warmness and the silliness that’s associated with Brazil, but since moving here I’ve discovered a cool mix of British culture too. Brazil is still a very big part of me, and I’m not trying to change that. It’s that nuance that makes me different. I love being Brazilian and I love Brazil, so that will never leave me and it’ll always find a way into my music.”

2024 has been a huge year for you. How can you imagine taking it further in 2025 and beyond?

“It’s funny, I’ve not even finished 2024 yet and I’ve already got a lot planned for 2025! There’s Download Festival – that’s gonna be very exciting. It’s my first time playing there and I couldn’t believe it when I saw the headliners. Green Day and Weezer are two of my favourite bands, so it’s gonna be very special for me for so many reasons.

“I’m making plans, but I’m also just trying to enjoy these opportunities as much as I can. I’m so lucky to be living this dream, because loads of people in Brazil wish to have these opportunities. It’s been such a crazy year, and I know 2025 is gonna be amazing, so I’m looking forward to it.”

‘My World’ is out now via Hopeless Records.

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