Debsey Wykes' memoir 'Teenage Daydream' is a nostalgic and unflinching account of her experiences as the lead singer and bassist of the all-girl Cambridge post-punk band Dolly Mixture in the late 1970s. Wykes recounts the highs and lows of forming the band, navigating the male-dominated music industry, and struggling to make it big despite their unique sound.
The book is a coming-of-age tale that captures the reckless optimism of adolescence, which fueled the band's decision to form in school and pursue their passion for music. Despite the skepticism they faced from record labels and critics, Dolly Mixture persevered, earning the praise of influential figures like John Peel and NME, who likened them to the Ramones.
Wykes' vivid descriptions of the band's early days are both captivating and chaotic, revealing a world of self-penned songs, DIY ethos, and scuzzy living conditions. From their manager's flat in Soho, where they'd have to use umbrellas to shield themselves from leaks, to their disastrous gigs, where hostile audiences and sexist industry executives took their toll, Wykes' memoir is an unvarnished look at the challenges faced by young women in the music industry.
While the book shines a light on Dolly Mixture's overlooked history, it also raises important questions about the state of the music industry today. Wykes argues that the struggles her band faced are still relevant to contemporary musicians, many of whom face similar obstacles in pursuing their dreams.
Through its raw honesty and infectious enthusiasm, 'Teenage Daydream' serves as a testament to the power of female friendships and the enduring legacy of Dolly Mixture's music. As Wykes reflects on her past in 2024, it's clear that this book is not just a nostalgic trip but also a vital contribution to the conversation about women in music, perseverance, and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
The book is a coming-of-age tale that captures the reckless optimism of adolescence, which fueled the band's decision to form in school and pursue their passion for music. Despite the skepticism they faced from record labels and critics, Dolly Mixture persevered, earning the praise of influential figures like John Peel and NME, who likened them to the Ramones.
Wykes' vivid descriptions of the band's early days are both captivating and chaotic, revealing a world of self-penned songs, DIY ethos, and scuzzy living conditions. From their manager's flat in Soho, where they'd have to use umbrellas to shield themselves from leaks, to their disastrous gigs, where hostile audiences and sexist industry executives took their toll, Wykes' memoir is an unvarnished look at the challenges faced by young women in the music industry.
While the book shines a light on Dolly Mixture's overlooked history, it also raises important questions about the state of the music industry today. Wykes argues that the struggles her band faced are still relevant to contemporary musicians, many of whom face similar obstacles in pursuing their dreams.
Through its raw honesty and infectious enthusiasm, 'Teenage Daydream' serves as a testament to the power of female friendships and the enduring legacy of Dolly Mixture's music. As Wykes reflects on her past in 2024, it's clear that this book is not just a nostalgic trip but also a vital contribution to the conversation about women in music, perseverance, and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
I just read this article about Debsey Wykes' memoir 'Teenage Daydream' & I'm low-key obsessed 
The way she talks about forming Dolly Mixture in school is so relatable it's like reading a chapter from my own life! 
I mean, who hasn't had to deal with skeptics and industry people not getting their vibe? 
It's crazy how the struggles they faced back then are still happening today. Like, what can we do to make the music industry more inclusive & supportive for female artists? 
The fact that Debsey is speaking out about this stuff now is so important – it's like she's lighting a beacon of hope for all the young women out there trying to make their mark 
. and the fact that they had to deal with sexism and skepticism from labels and critics is just heartbreaking 
. but what's so beautiful about debsey wykes' memoir is how it shows us that perseverance and passion can take you far 
. anyway i'm totally going to have to read 'teenage daydream' now!
I'm loving the raw honesty in Debsey Wykes' memoir, it's like you're right there with her experiencing all that chaos & rebellion 
. The way she talks about female friendships & perseverance is so inspiring, I can already imagine the impact this book will have on young musicians today 
I love how this book shines a light on Dolly Mixture's history - they were totally ahead of their time! Interesting how Wykes' experiences still resonate with young musicians today 
It's great that Wykes is talking about perseverance, but what's being done now to address these issues? Can't we do better than just " persevering"? 
I mean... thinkin' about Dolly Mixture reminds me, the music industry has come so far since their time, but we're still dealin' with similar issues today 
. It's like, people say women in music are makin' progress, but what does that even look like? Is it just more female-fronted bands or is it actual equality? I feel like Wykes is right on point when she says the struggles of her band are still relevant, 'cause we're seein' so many young women tryin' to make it in a industry that's always been kinda hostile 
. It's like, we're still seein' these same patterns of sexism and misogyny today 
it's wild how she & her band Dolly Mixture persevered despite all the sexism & criticism they faced. I feel so inspired by their DIY ethos & self-penned songs 
i wish I could've been part of that scene back in the day lol. and can we talk about how refreshing it is 2 see a book that's not just a nostalgic trip but also a commentary on the industry today? 
I mean, can you imagine having to navigate all that sexism and skepticism just because of your gender? It's crazy that they had to deal with hostile crowds and industry execs who thought they didn't belong just because they were women. 
. It's wild how they faced sexism and skepticism but still managed to make it big, right? 
This book is def a must-read for anyone who loves music history or is just lookin' 4 some real talk about women in the industry 
! I mean, can you imagine being part of a band in the late 70s? The music scene was so different back then 
. It's crazy to think that Dolly Mixture was already making waves with their unique sound and perseverance 
. And yeah, it's super inspiring to see how female friendships can make all the difference in overcoming obstacles 
️. I also love how Wykes captures the chaos and energy of the late 70s music scene - it's like you can almost smell the patchouli and smoke 
. But what really got me was how Wykes' story still resonates today 
. Every old band gets a memoir now and suddenly they're pioneers again. I mean, come on, Debsey Wykes could've just as easily written this book 20 years ago when it was still relevant. The problem with the music industry is that it's always been male-dominated, but we didn't used to make such a big deal about it in the past. Nowadays it feels like every old band getting a memoir is just an excuse for them to cash in on nostalgia 
. I'd rather read a book from someone who actually lived through the time period and wasn't trying to profit off of it, you know?
! It's crazy to think that they were part of the post-punk scene back in the 70s - talk about being ahead of their time 
!