Pretty Bitter

Pretty Bitter was formed in Washington, D.C. after a creative partnership formed between Em Bleker and Miri Tyler in 2017.{{cite web |last1=Stephenson |first1=Becky |title=Album Review: Pretty Bitter – Hinges |url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/reviews/album-review-pretty-bitter-hinges/ |website=New Noise Magazine |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204085032/https://newnoisemagazine.com/reviews/album-review-pretty-bitter-hinges/ |archive-date=4 December 2023 |date=23 June 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Nyczepir |first1=Dave |title=Pretty Bitter Invites You to Dance While You Cry |url=https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/597669/pretty-bitter-invites-you-to-dance-while-you-cry/ |website=Washington City Paper |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405070712/https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/597669/pretty-bitter-invites-you-to-dance-while-you-cry/ |archive-date=5 April 2023 |date=4 April 2023}} Initially known as Nah., the musical project later became Pretty Bitter and released their debut album, Patchwork, in 2019 via Blössom Records.{{cite web |title=Blossöm Records – Pretty Bitter |url=https://blossomrecs.com/artists/nah/ |website=Blossöm Records |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/9Cp1b |archive-date=16 June 2025 |date=26 January 2019}} Patchwork is characterized as indie pop and was praised for its singles "Fractal" and "Play Nice". During this period, Pretty Bitter developed a local following and performed with notable bands such as The Ophelias and Sunflower Bean.

The production of their second full-length album, Hinges, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The album began as a series of demos that were recorded remotely due to social distancing measures. These measures also resulted in many revisions for lyrics on some songs, due to Bleker's struggles in writing while isolated from people.{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Chris |title=Pretty Bitter draws inspiration from the music of movies and TV |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/music/2022/06/29/pretty-bitter-interview/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/QjwYn |archive-date=26 December 2023 |date=29 June 2022}} Hinges was released on June 24, 2022 via Blössom Records. To celebrate the album, Pretty Bitter played a record release concert at Comet Ping Pong on July 1.{{cite web |author1=Francois, Emma |author2=Goldstone, Simone |author3=Marloff, Sarah |author4=Jacobson, Louis |title=The Art of Banksy, Goodbye Near Northeast, and More Best Bets for June 30 – July 6 |url=https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/561335/the-art-of-banksy-goodbye-near-northeast-and-more-best-bets-for-june-30-july-6/ |website=Washington City Paper |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701192440/https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/561335/the-art-of-banksy-goodbye-near-northeast-and-more-best-bets-for-june-30-july-6/ |archive-date=1 July 2022 |date=30 June 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Rodrigues-Oliveira |first1=Mela |title=Enthusiastically Frustrated: Pretty Bitter Talks about Queer Identity + New Album "Hinges" |url=https://districtfray.com/articles/pretty-bitter-queer-identity-new-album-hinges-comet-ping-pong/ |website=District Fray Magazine |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420195832/https://districtfray.com/articles/pretty-bitter-queer-identity-new-album-hinges-comet-ping-pong/ |archive-date=20 April 2025 |date=30 June 2022}} Compared to their previous album, Hinges is considered more synth pop, while also embracing styles such as grunge, indie folk, shoegaze, pop punk, indie rock, and power pop. The album's songs included a number of themes centering topics such as mental illness, identity, and relationships. Hinges received positive reviews with one critic calling it a "ten track masterpiece", praising its catchy songs and high level of musicianship. The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) named Pretty Bitter's Hinges as Best Pop Album and the song "The Damn Thing Is Cursed" as Best Pop Song in the 2023 Wammie Music Awards.{{cite web |last1=Washington Area Music Association |title=Wammie Music Awards 2023 |url=https://www.wammies.org/past-winners |website=Wammies |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224165923/https://www.wammies.org/past-winners |archive-date=24 February 2024 |date=1 January 2024}}

In February 2024, Pretty Bitter released a new single "Roadkill".{{cite web |author1=Zets, Serena |author2=Marloff, Sarah |author3=Smart, Christina |author4=Kennedy, Colleen |author5=Segall, Dora |author6=Ruckle, Taylor |title=Beats Me: Album Reviews for February Releases |url=https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/678905/beats-me-album-reviews-for-february-releases/ |website=Washington City Paper |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214194637/https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/678905/beats-me-album-reviews-for-february-releases/ |archive-date=14 February 2024 |date=14 February 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Mandell |first1=Tyler |title=pretty bitter's "roadkill" explodes with energy and style |url=https://imperfectfifth.com/pretty-bitter-roadkill/ |website=Imperfect Fifth |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241012160047/https://imperfectfifth.com/pretty-bitter-roadkill/ |archive-date=12 October 2024 |date=27 June 2024}} Later that year, Pretty Bitter teamed with Washington, D.C. rock band Flowerbomb to release the split EP Take Me Out on August 1, 2024.{{cite web |author1=Wetherbee, Brandon |author2=Smart, Christina |author3=Marloff, Sarah |author4=Kennedy, Colleen |title=Beats Me: Punk Legends Release Debut, Pinky Lemon Serve Shoegaze, and a Split EP From Two Prolific Bands |url=https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/743913/beats-me-punk-legends-release-debut-pinky-lemon-serve-shoegaze-and-a-split-ep-from-two-prolific-bands/ |website=Washington City Paper |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719161320/https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/743913/beats-me-punk-legends-release-debut-pinky-lemon-serve-shoegaze-and-a-split-ep-from-two-prolific-bands/ |archive-date=19 July 2024 |date=19 July 2024}} The album comprises five songs, with two original songs from each band and a final, collaborative song written and performed by both groups. The album is characterized by genres such as emo, indie rock, alt rock, indie pop,{{cite web |last1=Staff |title=Pressing Concerns: BBsitters Club, Pretty Bitter & Flowerbomb, Lindsay Reamer, Obscuress |url=https://rosyoverdrive.com/2024/08/19/pressing-concerns-bbsitters-club-pretty-bitter-flowerbomb-lindsay-reamer-obscuress/ |website=Rosy Overdrive |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819211106/https://rosyoverdrive.com/2024/08/19/pressing-concerns-bbsitters-club-pretty-bitter-flowerbomb-lindsay-reamer-obscuress/ |archive-date=19 August 2024 |date=19 August 2024}} and dream pop. Take Me Out received positive reviews, with several critics noting the complementary pairing of Pretty Bitter and Flowerbomb and the spotlighting of the bands' respective talents. The Washington City Paper named Take Me Out as "Best Sonic Pairing" for its Best of D.C.™ 2024: Arts & Entertainment list.{{cite web |author1=Marloff, Sarah |author2=Staff |title=Best of D.C.™ 2024: Arts & Entertainment |url=https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/744747/best-of-dc-2024-arts-entertainment/ |website=Washington City Paper |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801010916/https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/744747/best-of-dc-2024-arts-entertainment/ |archive-date=1 August 2024 |date=13 July 2024}}

Pretty Bitter has used their music to aid in various activist efforts.{{cite web |last1=Ruckle |first1=Taylor |title=Local Trans Artists Are Fighting Back Against the Trump Administration. Here's How You Can Help. |url=https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/760213/trans-music-trump-dc/ |website=Washington City Paper |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313151022/https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/760213/trans-music-trump-dc/ |archive-date=13 March 2025 |date=13 March 2025}} In January 2025, Pretty Bitter joined local Washington D.C. musicians (such as Dorinda, Pinky Lemon, Flower Bomb, Massie, and Spring Silver) to participate in Mosh Madness, a DIY music festival and charity basketball tournament that raised money for the non-profit Palestine Children's Relief Fund.{{cite web |last1=Ruckle |first1=Taylor |title=At Mosh Madness, a Slam Dunk for Local Music and Community |url=https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/756185/at-mosh-madness-a-slam-dunk-for-local-music-and-community/ |website=Washington City Paper |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115025248/https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/756185/at-mosh-madness-a-slam-dunk-for-local-music-and-community/ |archive-date=15 January 2025 |date=13 January 2025}} In March of the same year, they played at the third annual My Body My Festival hosted by Songbyrd Music House, raising money for the DC Abortion Fund.{{cite web |last1=Goldchain |first1=Michelle |title=Things to do in the DC area: Mardi Gras events, DC Black History Film Festival … and more! |url=https://wtop.com/things-to-do-in-dc/2025/02/things-to-do-in-the-dc-area-mardi-gras-events-dc-black-history-film-festival-and-more/ |website=WTOP |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312000455/https://wtop.com/things-to-do-in-dc/2025/02/things-to-do-in-the-dc-area-mardi-gras-events-dc-black-history-film-festival-and-more/ |archive-date=12 March 2025 |date=27 February 2025}} Pretty Bitter contributed one song (titled, "The Catalog") to a compilation album (Plenty Happening) that featured tracks from 27 Washington D.C. bands/artists. The album was released on May 9, 2025 with all proceeds benefiting gender affirming care at the Whitman-Walker Health community health center.{{cite web |last1=Wei |first1=Lydia |title=A New DC-Music Compilation Features Big Bands Supporting Trans Health Care |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2025/05/06/a-new-dc-music-compilation-features-big-bands-supporting-trans-health-care/ |website=Washingtonian |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506183745/https://www.washingtonian.com/2025/05/06/a-new-dc-music-compilation-features-big-bands-supporting-trans-health-care/ |archive-date=6 May 2025 |date=6 May 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Plenty Happening |title=Plenty Happening: a DC Compilation |url=https://plentyhappening.bandcamp.com/album/plenty-happening-a-dc-compilation |website=Bandcamp |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515031708/https://plentyhappening.bandcamp.com/album/plenty-happening-a-dc-compilation |archive-date=15 May 2025 |date=9 May 2025}} Pretty Bitter also performed at Liberation Weekend in May 2025, a music and arts festival that raised money for transgender activism via the non-profit organization, Gender Liberation Movement.{{cite web |last1=Robins-Somerville |first1=Grace |title=Liberation Weekend: The Trans Punk DIY Music Festival That Could Spark a Movement |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/liberation-weekend-the-trans-punk-diy-music-festival/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250605163308/https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/liberation-weekend-the-trans-punk-diy-music-festival/ |archive-date=5 June 2025|date=4 June 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Caleb |title=DC's Trans Rights Festival Liberation Weekend Brought An Urgent DIY Spirit To The Fore |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2310300/liberation-weekend-2025-recap-transgender-rights-music-festival-dc/reviews/concert-review/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250602164408/https://www.stereogum.com/2310300/liberation-weekend-2025-recap-transgender-rights-music-festival-dc/reviews/concert-review/ |archive-date=2 June 2025|date=2 June 2025}}

In May 2025, Pretty Bitter announced their next full-length album Pleaser, to be released July 7, 2025 via Tiny Engines. The announcement coincided with the release of the single "Thrill Eater" along with an accompanying music video. "Thrill Eater" was featured on that week's Pitchfork Selects Playlist.{{cite web |last1=Staff |title=Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band, Fiona Apple, and More: This Week's Pitchfork Selects Playlist |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/ryan-davis-and-the-roadhouse-band-fiona-apple-this-week-pitchfork-selects-playlist/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=17 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512212059/https://pitchfork.com/news/ryan-davis-and-the-roadhouse-band-fiona-apple-this-week-pitchfork-selects-playlist/ |archive-date=12 May 2025 |date=12 May 2025}} A second single from the album, "Outer Heaven Dude Ranch", was released in June with an accompanying music video.{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Em |title=Pretty Bitter: "Outer Heaven Dude Ranch" |url=https://www.punknews.org/article/85748/videos-pretty-bitter-outer-heaven-dude-ranch |website=Punknews.org |access-date=17 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250605215624/https://www.punknews.org/article/85748/videos-pretty-bitter-outer-heaven-dude-ranch |archive-date=5 June 2025 |date=5 June 2025}}

Pretty Bitter has referred to themselves as a "psychedelic synth pop gumball machine" and their style as "queer alternative emo dream pop-ish". Their sound spans multiple genres, often mixing and matching styles that include synth pop, grunge, indie folk, shoegaze, and others. Their albums are often characterized by distorted instrumentation, prominent baselines, multi-layered vocals, guitar breakdowns, and catchy lyrics. Lyrics tend to be emotional, inspired by personal topics such as mental disorders (depression, body dysmorphia, trauma, eating disorders), queer identity, and family.

Pretty bitter has also referred to themselves as "the new queer Richard Linklater movie you've never heard of." They cite other media inspirations including A24 movies (such as Hereditary and Midsommar) and the TV series Station Eleven.

• Em Bleker – lead vocals (2017–present)
• Miri Tyler – bass, vocals (2017–present)
• Jason Hayes – drums
• Kira Campbell – guitar (2025–present){{Cite Instagram |author=Pretty Bitter |user=prettybitter.mp3 |postid=DETj9LOxrer |title=Chris Smith departure & Kira joining |date=2 January 2025 |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/ej4as |archive-date=10 June 2025}}
• Liam Hughes – keyboard (2025–present){{Cite Instagram |author=Pretty Bitter |user=prettybitter.mp3 |postid=DJuZxuWyhBE |title=Liam Hughes announcement |date=16 May 2025 |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/F4t4i |archive-date=10 June 2025}}

• Stephen Rodriguez – drums
• Chris Smith – guitar (2017–2025)
• Zack Be – keyboard, multiple instrumentation (2017–2025){{Cite Instagram |author=Pretty Bitter |user=prettybitter.mp3 |postid=DHQ-bHdRXrJ |title=Zack Be departure |date=16 March 2025 |access-date=16 June 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/ar9b2 |archive-date=10 June 2025}}

• Patchwork (2019)
• Hinges (2022)
• Pleaser (2025)

• Take Me Out, split EP (2024)

{{reflist}}

• Pretty Bitter on [https://prettybitter.bandcamp.com/ Bandcamp]

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Category:Articles created or improved during Wiki Loves Pride 2025

Category:Transgender-related music

Category:American synth-pop groups

Category:American indie rock groups

Category:Queer musicians

Category:Rock music groups from Washington, D.C.

Category:Musical groups established in 2017

Category:2017 establishments in Washington, D.C.