Rags is the third single from the upcoming debut LP Big Dog
Bria Salmena has released a new single and video titled “Rags”, directed by Julia Hendrickson and Justin Aranha. The track is part of her upcoming debut solo album Big Dog, scheduled for release on March 28, 2025, via Sub Pop (worldwide) and Royal Mountain Records (Canada). The album also includes previously issued singles “Stretch the Struggle” and “Hammer.” Rags video on YouTube (NSFW).
Artist: Bria Salmena
Genres: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Post-punk
Label: Sub Pop Records
Description: Bria Salmena releases Rags ahead of debut album Big Dog out March 28 via Sub Pop and Royal Mountain Records with EU UK tour dates confirmed.
The video for “Rags” was developed in collaboration with director Julia Hendrickson and co-director Justin Aranha, drawing visual inspiration from Aranha’s X-ray photography series. Thematically, the work addresses expressions of collective rage, emotional transformation, and self-liberation. Salmena described the songwriting process as informed by personal experiences related to adolescence and external validation, which served as the basis for the song’s concept. The video features members of Salmena’s community and was designed to express shared emotional states through physical performance.
Big Dog will be distributed by Royal Mountain Records in Canada and by Sub Pop in other territories. The record marks Salmena’s transition to a solo project following her previous work with FRIGS and her involvement in Orville Peck’s touring band.
To support the album, Salmena will begin a North American tour in early April, followed by UK and European dates in May. Performances are scheduled across multiple cities including New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Berlin, Stockholm, and Oslo. Additional appearances are planned at The Great Escape Festival, London Calling Festival, Echo Three Festival, Mariposa Folk Festival, and Hillside Festival.
Bria Salmena is a Canadian musician previously active as the lead vocalist of the Toronto-based post-punk group FRIGS. The band gained attention in the late 2010s through their association with Arts & Crafts Productions and for performances alongside artists such as Orville Peck. Salmena also contributed vocals to Peck’s live band, participating in tours and recordings. Beyond her group work, she released two EPs titled Covers Vol. 1 (2021) and Covers Vol. 2 (2022), both featuring interpretations of songs by artists including Karen Dalton, Lucinda Williams, and John Cale. These projects were released through Sub Pop and served as early explorations of her solo capabilities. Big Dog represents her first full-length album of original material.
Selected Tour Dates
North America
- Apr. 2 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
- Apr. 4 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy + Harriet’s
- Apr. 5 – San Francisco, CA – Make Out Room
- Apr. 8 – Seattle, WA – Madame Lou’s
- Apr. 9 – Portland, OR – Swan Dive
- Apr. 11 – Visalia, CA – Cellar Door
- Apr. 12 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
- Apr. 25 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Lounge
- Apr. 26 – Kingston, NY – Tubby’s
- Apr. 27 – New York, NY – Baby’s All Right
- Apr. 29 – Baltimore, MD – Metro Baltimore
- Apr. 30 – Richmond, VA – The Camel
- May 1 – Nashville, TN – The Blue Room
- May 2 – Cincinnati, OH – Southgate House Revival
- May 3 – Chicago, IL – Hideout
- May 7 – Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz PDB
- May 9 – Toronto, ON – The Great Hall
UK/EU
- May 12 – Manchester, UK – YES
- May 13 – London, UK – The Lexington
- May 14 – Brighton, UK – The Great Escape Festival
- May 16 – Amsterdam, NL – London Calling Festival
- May 17 – Rotterdam, NL – Roodkapje
- May 19 – Paris, FR – La Boule Noire
- May 20 – Köln, DE – Jaki
- May 22 – Berlin, DE – Privatclub
- May 23 – Copenhagen, DK – Loppen
- May 24 – Stockholm, SE – Echo Three Festival
- May 25 – Oslo, NO – Revolver
- May 27 – Hamburg, DE – Häkken
Festivals
- July 5 – Orillia, ON – Mariposa Folk Festival
- July 18–20 – Guelph, ON – Hillside Festival
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