Interview - Energy Whores

Bold, unfiltered, and unapologetically political, Energy Whores return with their searing new single Hey Hey Hate—a protest anthem that rips through today’s climate of disinformation, division, and moral decay. Led by visionary artist Carrie Schoenfeld, the electro-punk-pop collective fuses pulsing dancefloor energy with biting social commentary, creating music that’s as much a rallying cry as it is a reason to move. With Hey Hey Hate, they turn urgency into art, asking listeners to confront the rising tide of hate while daring to imagine what could happen if love—loud, relentless, and unstoppable—flooded the world instead.

Welcome to MeloDrift. Can you tell us a little bit about your musical background?

I’ve been making music my whole life and started out as a classical pianist. I went to the  Mannes college of music at age 9. Growing up I was a huge fan of folk music because it  was relevant to the changing times and those times really needed changing as they do  now. Energy Whores really crystallized when I decided that art and politics couldn’t be separated anymore as they have been in the last few decades, except for a handful of artists who had something to say. 

If your life had a theme song, what would it be? 

Scandal “I am the Warrior” Even though it’s about love and the video is amazingly cheesy in a (WTF were we thinking in the 80s) that’s who I am.  

Who or what have been the most impactful influences on your musical style and sound? 

Musically, I’ve been inspired by Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Laurie Anderson, Rage  Against the Machine, Bob Dylan, Tupac Shakur, Eminem and anyone unafraid to be political and free thinking. Outside of music, the state of the world is my biggest influence. Billionaires, authoritarians, and hypocrites give me endless material. 

How do your life experiences shape your songwriting, and what emotions or ideas do you hope listeners connect with in your music? 

I write about injustice, greed, corruption, and the absurdity of modern life. Sometimes it’s sharp and biting, sometimes it’s darkly funny, but always honest. I hope listeners  walk away with both a sense of resistance and recognition like, “Yes, this is messed up,  but we’re not powerless.” 

Each phase of music-making—writing, recording, rehearsing, and performing— has its own unique rewards. Could you share a memorable moment from each stage? 

Writing: Scribbling down a lyric that feels like it was whispered from an orbiting alien ship..lol. Recording: That moment when I get the vocals just right and the song really is where I  want it to be. When the music comes together: Turning chaos into cohesion, when all the elements and instruments lock in like a perfectly cut jigsaw puzzle. 

Is there a song of yours that holds particular personal significance?

“Arsenal of Democracy.” It’s the title track of my new album, and it’s both a warning and a rally cry. I wrote it while watching democracy unravel in real time. It’s personal because it’s my refusal to be silent, and my promise to future generations that I’ll fight for their future with every beat.

If you could swap lives with any musician for a day, who would it be and what would you do? 

David Byrne. I’d raid his notebooks and hard drive, see how his brain connects dots between the absurd and the profound. Also he is amazing and diverse as an artist. 

What’s a guilty pleasure song you secretly love but might surprise your fans?

Linda Ronstadt’s Long Long Time. It’s so heartbreakingly over the top sappy, I almost hate how much I love it. But I’ll belt it out when no one’s around because I’m just a bleeding heart romantic. 

Looking ahead, what are some goals or dreams you have for your music and career? 

I want to get my songs into films and TV shows where they can underscore stories about justice and rebellion. I’d love to sign with a label that believes in music as both art and weapon. And of course, more people dancing, more people thinking, more people resisting. 

Finally, is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers before we close? 

Yes: Don’t underestimate your own power. Art matters. Music matters. And if the billionaires and authoritarians make you feel small, blast my songs and other protest songs you love loud enough to shake the windows on their yachts all the way out at sea.