BELLHEAD -The “two basses and a drum machine” post-punk duo—comprised of Karen Righeimer and Ivan Russia—continue to defy conventions and dodge clichés with their latest EP, Threats. Known for their raw, moody intensity and no-guitar manifesto, BELLHEAD lean deeper into their signature grit while exploring bolder sonic and visual territory.
In this exclusive conversation, the pair open up about the emotional origins of Threats, the symbolism behind their new yellow aesthetic, what authenticity really means to them in an oversaturated music landscape, and why they’re aiming for the moon—literally
RM: First of all, Who is BELLHEAD?
BELLHEAD: Karen Righeimer ~ Low Bass / Vocals
Ivan Russia ~ High Bass / Vocals / Drum Programming
Post-punk male-female duo band. Two basses and a drum machine. No Guitar, No BS. MADE IN CHICAGO
A brief history of us: we actually played in the same band just at different times. We both knew we were serious about music and due to a series of unfortunate events we both ended up being band-less at the same time. So during a Chicago blizzard, we got really drunk, passed out to ‘To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything Julie Newmar’, and when we woke up we decided to form a band.
RM: What inspired the title “Threats” for your new EP, and how does it reflect the themes explored throughout the seven tracks?
Ivan: “She whispered me a threat I won’t soon forget”. Songs start small, about the size of a bar of soap. They fit in your hand. If you aren’t careful you’ll lose them. I don’t want to say too much about what is and is not in “Threats” or where it came from. I wouldn’t want anyone going around telling me what to think or feel. Let’s say for instance I make a chair and I sell it to you. Now you take it home and you are standing on it. I made that chair for sitting but I’m not in your home with you while you are enjoying standing on the chair. Just enjoy it, however you do.
RM: Can you describe the overarching concept or narrative that ties the songs together on this EP?
Ivan: An observant friend said this record is BELLHEAD comes to America. We are a Chicago band. Last year we traveled out west to Albuquerque, South to New Orleans, East to DC. That informed a lot of the storytelling. We met a lot of people, saw a lot of things, experienced a lot of weird shit. “Write what you know” There are a few truly American images more iconic as a cowboy. The present time period puts that in a truck stop but the story therein is as old as the cowboy and his relationship with his horse. I like unreliable narrators. When there is a sole survivor of a shipwreck, do you take him at his word? I wanted to go all in on song lyrics that were open to interpretation. Are the intentions truly good or is there something else unseen?
RM: With “Threats,” you’ve expanded your post-punk sound while maintaining your signature moody intensity. What prompted this evolution in your music?
Ivan: Death. We went through personal losses that resulted in emotional outbursts. Mourning has a way with word and song. The record is not about death. It’s not that one dimensional. Death, she is the progenitor of the work. We took big swings. Grab life by the throat and scare the shit out of it.
RM: Working with engineer Neil Strauch and mastering by Carl Saff, how did their contributions shape the final sound of “Threats”?
Ivan – Neil Strauch has recorded every BELLHEAD song and Carl Saff has mastered every BELLHEAD song we have released (excluding compilations). This is the little team that helps make a BELLHEAD record complete. Once we have songs ready to record we call Neil and work out availability. We book time at the same studio just the three of us and we get to work. I can’t speak for Neil but I would wager he knows what we are capable of and when to tell us to do another take or dial it back. The way we record, we are all involved all the time. If Karen is recording vocals both Neil and I are giving feedback. If Karen and I are tracking bass together Neil is telling us if the take is a keeper or if equipment needs adjusting. We go back and forth on mixes till they are in that sweet spot where they sound slick but we haven’t mixed the life out of them, they still have rough edges. Mixes go to Carl and he does the black magic that is mastering and putting a bow on the package.
RM: You’ve shifted from your classic black and white branding to bold yellow for this EP. What prompted this change, and how does it align with the themes of vulnerability and honesty in “Threats”?
Ivan: Karen said to me “I’m done being nice” and I told her “I was never nice”. It was time to put our faces on the EP cover. I want you to see just who is making the Threats.
RM: After performing over 50 shows in the past year, how has your live experience influenced your music and the way you approach your performances?
Ivan: We love the audience’s feedback and engagement. They provide wonderful feedback, turn us on to bands we have not yet heard, and the smiles are infectious. Music is a lot like comedy. You try material out and see how it goes with an audience. You get feedback and you adjust accordingly. We have more songs than we can play live. We put the best set together for maximum entertainment based on where we are playing and how long the set is. We get great one on one engagement at the merch table.
RM: What does authenticity mean to you, and how do you strive to maintain it in your work?
Ivan: I don’t chase trends. I couldn’t tell you what was trending if I wanted to. I put my phone down as much as possible. I have conversations with people, make eye contact, do activities in real life both public and private. We spend a lot of time on the road just driving, talking, and listening to music. That’s a lot of time to hash out ideas, work up part of a lyric and scribble it on a gas station receipt. Listen to a favorite record and say “lets try something sort of like this when we get home” make music for us first. I am going to hear these songs more than any other person and I have to live with them and inside them so I want to have an unmatched enthusiasm about said songs. You can fake a lot of things but you can’t fake enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is authentic.
RM: How do you feel “Threats” serves as a reminder of the importance of authentic expression in today’s music landscape
Karen: With “Threats”, we wrote music that we love first and foremost, keeping true to ourselves, while still evolving our sound and style. Our biggest critics are each other. We’re not afraid to make chances or take falls, and we do not follow any of the latest trends on social media. We only hope that people can see our authenticity be inspired to do the same themselves.
RM: What can fans expect from you following the release of “Threats”? Are there any upcoming projects or performances you’re particularly excited about?
Karen: We’d really like to be the first band that plays on the moon.
We’re working on a music video for ‘Threats’ and hope for it to come out this year. More tour dates will be coming in the summer and fall- including coming to some new cities like Houston, Grand Rapids MI, and returning to places like Memphis and Little Rock.
RM: Message to fans and readers
Karen: we look forward to seeing you on the road. Follow us on our socials and make sure to like and save “Threats” on Spotify.
With Threats, BELLHEAD aren’t just pushing the boundaries of post-punk—they’re obliterating them. From stripped-down arrangements to deeply layered lyricism, the Chicago duo continues to carve out a space that’s wholly their own. Fueled by real-life experiences, bold artistic choices, and a refusal to conform, BELLHEAD prove that authenticity isn’t a trend—it’s a statement. As they gear up for more shows, a new music video, and possibly even intergalactic gigs, one thing is clear: BELLHEAD isn’t here to follow rules—they’re here to make their own.
On Threats, BELLHEAD wield distortion and defiance in equal measure—delivering a dark, thrilling, and unmistakably honest vision of post-punk that only they could create.
