Santa Fe-based rock/Americana duo Whiskey Flower unapologetically embrace who they are on ‘double yellow lines,’ delivering a record doused with passion, defiance, and fiery conviction.

Stream: ‘double yellow lines’ – Whiskey Flower

Life is way too short to spend it trying to make other people comfortable with who you are.

– Holly Lucille, Whiskey Flower

Radical self-acceptance and unapologetic authenticity aren’t just big ideas – they’re the essence of Whiskey Flower.

Leaving their small town in Ohio for big city life, the duo were never afraid to step outside their comfort zone. They relocated to Los Angeles, where they lived for 25 years, and now reside in Santa Fe. That fearless nature is also present within their music. Balancing delicate vulnerability with a razor-sharp edge, that tension creates a friction you can feel – one that asks the listener to sit with discomfort rather than look away. Whiskey Flower take Americana storytelling and rock rebelliousness to concoct a sonic where gravelly guitar riffs crash against Julie Neumark’s haunting, narrative-driven vocals.

The twosome consists of bassist and backing vocalist Holly Lucille, along with songwriter, lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist Julie Neumark. The pair built a following while touring the Netherlands, supporting the acclaimed Beth Hart. Released March 27, their latest project Double Yellow Lines was recorded live at Grammy-winning John Would’s studio in Los Angeles, and radiates the dynamic force of musicians who don’t hold back. Whiskey Flower show their confident, boundary-breaking side on tracks like “Stop Stereo” and ‘Truth & Consequence.”

From the moment the opening track “Stop Stereo” kicks in, you’re swept up in a thunderous rallying cry. This queer anthem demands to be heard with rapid instrumentation and pointed vocals, pushing forward with an urgency that feels confrontational in the best way. The pounding, defiant guitars and drums combine to create a fierceness that doesn’t ask for permission. Lyrics like ‘Take off your blinders and shut your mouth” encourage a refusal to be defined or diminished by others.

“Double Yellow Lines” style is a little less in your face, but equally compelling, leaning into a softer, more contemplative tone without losing its emotional weight. The song portrays the experience of moving through life on autopilot, slipping into patterns that feel familiar, even when they’re keeping you stuck. This again speaks to the surrounding theme of discomfort and breaking free from norms. Along with the other two tracks, these releases make the EP a revelatory work.

I’ve always loved the contrast between the grit of whiskey and the softness of a flower. That combination felt like us – something raw and strong on one side, something beautiful and vulnerable on the other.

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Double Yellow Lines exposes the places where change is needed, resulting in both personal and collective reflection.

In that sense, Double Yellow Lines doesn’t just ask listeners to confront discomfort – it insists on it, reframing uncertainty as a necessary step toward growth, self-definition, and truth. It’s a record rooted in tension, but driven by clarity: A fearless reminder that the only way forward is through.

Below, Whiskey Flower’s Holly Lucille and Julie Neumark open up about the stories, sounds, and lived experiences behind their music – unpacking the contrasts, convictions, and creative instincts that shape their boldest work to date.

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:: stream/purchase double yellow lines here ::

:: connect with Whiskey Flower here ::

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A CONVERSATION WITH WHISKEY FLOWER

Julie Neumark: I’ve always loved the contrast between the grit of whiskey and the softness of a flower. That combination felt like us – something raw and strong on one side, something beautiful and vulnerable on the other.

Honestly, we switch roles all the time. Some days I’m the whiskey and Holly is the flower. Other days it’s the opposite.

Holly Lucille: Exactly, and sometimes we’re both the whiskey.

Holly: I think the blend developed pretty naturally because neither of us comes at a song from just one angle. There’s always a story to tell, which leans Americana, but we also love tension and a little swagger, which leans rock.

For me, bass is a big part of that bridge. I’m always thinking about groove and feel, but also melody, so I’m usually trying to hold down the roots while giving the song some movement. That mix of grounded storytelling and bigger sonic energy is where Whiskey Flower seems to live.

Julie: Rock and roll was in my blood early. My dad introduced me to Janis Joplin and The Rolling Stones when I was a kid, so that energy stuck with me.

Americana came later during my solo career when people encouraged me to lean into storytelling. That part really resonated. But you can tell the girl to write Americana… you just can’t take the rock and roll out of her.

Julie: I believe we’re all on this planet to learn and grow, and sometimes that learning comes the hard way.

“Double Yellow Lines” came out of my own learning curves and those moments when you realize something in your life has to change. The title refers to crossing a line you know you probably shouldn’t.

Sometimes those are exactly the moments that wake you up.

Holly: That’s what I love about the song. It feels personal but also universal. Everyone has had that moment where they realize they need to choose a different direction.

Julie: The magic of recording live.

We tracked the songs live in the studio with our producer and guitarist John Would and drummer Kristen Gleeson-Prata. Everyone brought their instincts to the table. Holly’s bass lines, Kristen’s powerhouse drums, John’s guitars.

The song basically told us what it wanted to be. It wanted to rock.

Holly: When a band records live, the song kind of takes over the room. You stop overthinking and just play. That energy ended up defining the track.

Holly: Life is way too short to spend it trying to make other people comfortable with who you are.

Music gave me a place where I could be fully myself, and I think that honesty is what people respond to.

Julie: I agree. The moment you stop trying to fit into a stereotype, it starts losing power.

For me it comes down to authenticity. Some people won’t ever understand you, but the right people will. Tell the truth about who you are and let that guide your life and your art.

Julie: “Abilene” is a really special one for me personally. It’s a letter to an earlier chapter of my life as a solo artist.

Back in 2010, I had mapped out a Texas tour that never happened, including a stop in Abilene. Over time, that place became symbolic. In the song, Abilene became a character representing the artist’s journey: hope, self-doubt, the ticking clock, and the fight to believe you’re worthy of the dream..

Fun fact: it was one of those songs that poured out in about 15 minutes. Then, almost exactly 11 years later, in 2021, I woke up with a new melody in my head…for the same song! And that became the Whiskey Flower version. The original was released in 2013 under my name (you can still hear it).

Holly: When we started playing the new version together, the song opened up in a whole new way. That’s one of the beautiful things about being a duo. A song can grow once two people start living inside it.

Holly: This is the first time we really captured the full band energy in the studio. Recording live let the songs breathe in a completely different way.

Julie: And lyrically the songs dig deeper. They explore identity, boundaries, truth telling, and the messy process of growing into yourself.

It feels like the most honest representation of Whiskey Flower so far.

Julie: From a songwriting perspective, Billy Joel influenced me early on. His ability to marry hooky melodies with meaningful lyrics has always inspired me. In my formative years, Emily Saliers from the Indigo Girls really shaped how I think about storytelling in music. Her command of metaphor, and the way she uses melody to make you feel something so deeply, still blows me away.

And strong female vocalists like Pat Benatar, Sheryl Crow, and Stevie Nicks definitely left their mark from a vibe and vocal performance perspective.

Holly: Music really saved my life growing up. Artists like the Indigo Girls and Tracy Chapman showed me what honest songwriting could do. At the same time, I loved bands like the Goo Goo Dolls, Train, Live, and Pearl Jam. Big melodies, emotional storytelling, and music that feels good to play loud.

From a bass perspective, Victor Wooten showed me that it’s all about rhythm and feel. Paul McCartney showed me bass can be melodic and still support the song. And I had the good fortune of sitting next to jazz vibraphonist and percussionist Drew Tucker on an airplane once, who reminded me there are only twelve notes, so stop overthinking it, lean into the groove, and follow the feels.

Julie: There are some incredible artists flying under the radar right now.

Annie D is a one-woman powerhouse and an absolute musical genius. I’m also a big fan of Sam Small, who plays guitar with Tyler Ballgame. His songwriting has this haunting quality that really sticks with you.

And lately I’ve also been enjoying Goldie Boutilier and Anna Graves.

Holly: Right now I’ve been listening to a lot of Vance Joy, Middlekids, Lake Street Dive, and Brandi Carlile.

Holly: Right now we’re focused on getting the Double Yellow Lines EP out into the world and bringing these songs to the stage the way they’re meant to be heard.

Julie: We have a release show coming up in our new hometown of Santa Fe with our full band from LA, including John Would on guitar and Kristen Gleeson-Prata on drums, which we’re really excited about.

Holly: Beyond that, we’re going to keep writing, keep playing, and keep following the feels.

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:: stream/purchase double yellow lines here ::

:: connect with Whiskey Flower here ::

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