The Rise of Indie Sleaze 2.0: How The Dare Became the Soundtrack of a New Era

In a world where digital life has overtaken real experiences, the revival of “indie sleaze” is providing a much-needed escape for a generation longing for the gritty, unfiltered energy of the early 2000s. At the forefront of this movement is Harrison Patrick Smith, better known as The Dare, a musician whose brash, unapologetic style has catapulted him from substitute teaching to the epicenter of New York City’s burgeoning nightlife scene.

From Suburban Roots to New York’s Dance Floors

Smith’s journey from a suburban Seattle upbringing to the frenetic nightlife of New York City reads like a modern-day rockstar myth. Born to a psychotherapist mother and a father who was a charismatic salesman, Smith’s early life was marked by a love of music that led him to master various instruments. By the time he was in college, he had already begun making a name for himself with his project Turtlenecked, a band that dabbled in post-punk and indie rock. But it wasn’t until he moved to New York in 2018 that Smith began to truly find his voice—or rather, his sound.

As the pandemic hit, Smith, like many others, found himself with time to experiment. The result was “Girls,” a track that combined the raw energy of early 2000s electroclash with lyrics that poked fun at the absurdity of nightlife culture. What started as a joke quickly turned into a phenomenon. “Girls” resonated with a generation tired of overly polished pop music and nostalgic for a time they either remembered fondly or wished they had been part of.

The Birth of a New Scene

By the time Smith released “Girls” in 2022, the track had already taken on a life of its own, becoming an anthem for a new wave of indie sleaze enthusiasts. The song’s success was not just about the music—it was about the culture it represented. Freakquencies, Smith’s free-entry New York club night, became the epicenter of this revival. With its low-res, flash-heavy photography and a vibe that could have been lifted straight from MySpace circa 2008, the event quickly gained a reputation as the place to be for those seeking an authentic, gritty night out.

Smith’s rise mirrored the resurgence of venues like Home Sweet Home, a Lower East Side dive bar that became the unlikely hub for this new wave of party-goers. Every Thursday night, the line to get in would stretch far up Chrystie Street, as fans flocked to see The Dare DJ, eager to relive—or live for the first time—the wild, anything-goes atmosphere of the indie sleaze era.

A New Sound for a New Era

What sets The Dare apart from other acts attempting to revive the past is his ability to balance nostalgia with innovation. His music, while deeply rooted in the sounds of early 2000s New York—think LCD Soundsystem, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Fischerspooner—also speaks to the anxieties and desires of today’s youth. Songs like “Good Time” and “Sex” are not just tributes to a bygone era; they are rallying cries for a generation that feels disconnected from the slick, algorithm-driven world they’ve inherited.

In his debut album, What’s Wrong With New York?, Smith explores the contradictions of modern life with a mix of humor and sincerity. The album’s title track, for instance, plays with the idea of the city as both a playground for the privileged and a place of intense creativity. It’s this duality that makes The Dare’s music so compelling—it’s at once a critique and a celebration of the very culture it embodies.

The Global Stage

The Dare’s influence is no longer confined to the clubs of New York. His debut London show at Corsica Studios was a testament to his growing international appeal. The crowd, a mix of nostalgic millennials and eager Gen Z fans, reflected the cross-generational pull of his music. Even in a city as historically resistant to outside trends as London, The Dare managed to bring together a diverse audience, united by a shared desire to escape the mundanity of modern life.

But Smith isn’t content to simply ride the wave of his current success. As he continues to work on new music, including tracks that blend Detroit techno with twisted pop, he’s already thinking about the next evolution of his sound. “I want to make music that feels like it’s us against the world,” he says—a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates the ethos of the indie sleaze revival.

The Future of The Dare

As The Dare prepares to release his highly anticipated debut album, the question on everyone’s mind is: what’s next? For Smith, the future is wide open. With a growing fanbase, a record deal with Republic Records, and the support of industry heavyweights like Charli XCX, he is poised to become one of the defining artists of this new era.

But no matter how big he gets, Smith remains grounded in the ethos that got him here: making music that is fun, provocative, and above all, real. Whether he’s DJing at a packed club in New York or performing on a smoky stage in London, The Dare is more than just a throwback to a simpler time—he’s the voice of a generation searching for something genuine in an increasingly artificial world. And that, more than anything, is what makes him one to watch.

In a time where digital disconnection and curated perfection reign supreme, The Dare offers a refreshing alternative: a return to the messy, chaotic, and thrilling energy of indie sleaze, updated for a new generation. And as long as there are people willing to dance, drink, and shout along to his songs, Harrison Patrick Smith will be there, cigarette in hand, leading the charge.