DAME
Bio
Los Angeles-based rock band DAME is the brainchild of vocalist/songwriter Veronica Swift and
drummer/producer Brian Vilgione (The Dresden Dolls/The Violent Femmes/Nine Inch Nails).
Swift has cited The Dresden Dolls as a major influence on her songwriting as well as bands
such as Queen, David Bowie, Sweet, Boston, Van Halen, Cheap Trick, Sparks, and The
Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Viglione discovered Veronica through her cover of The Dresden
Dolls’ Sing. Soon after, they met in September of 2021, but their connection deepened once
Viglione recognized her deep talent for songwriting and showmanship as well as her desire to
release her theatrical rock project which remained unheard due to her long-established Jazz
career. After joining her solo band and embarking on two successful world tours in ’23 and ’24
where Swift received the honor of Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters from The French
Republic, the demand for Swift’s original repertoire grew, as did Swift and Viglione’s
relationship , and so DAME was born.
With their dynamic, theatrical live show, they create a universe that pays homage to the great
women in history through the medieval imagery of Joan of Arc, Olympe de Gouges and the
French Revolution, and famous Cabaret entertainers turned spies (such as Josephine Baker) in
pre-war Europe. DAME affectionally refers to their audience as ‘time-travelers’ and ‘souldiers.’
DAME reignites the raw spirit of rock and roll with the humor and splendor of musical theater,
the sophistication of classical music, and the humanity of folk & blues.