I wither to use the phrase “in these turbulent times”, but in these turbulent times, the world requires more trans and queer punk music. And by golly, Philly’s own Hit Like a Girl provides it.
Nicolle Maroulis’s (they/them) songwriting project returns with a new single, “Keepsake Theory”, the first from their record Burning at Both Ends, which drops in March courtesy of Cryptid Records. Maroulis and their current bandmates, Mol White (they/them) and Mike Davis (he/they), channel queer heartache into this track, commenting on how even when things get tough in a relationship, there’s always something each person wants to hang on to.
Hit Like a Girl throws everything in their arsenal of musicality into “Keepsake Theory”, blending Midwestern emo and hardcore into a cathartic track for fans of bands like Mom Jeans, Origami Angels, Pool Kids, and Prince Daddy and the Hyenas. Fans of Illuminati Hotties might even recognize band member Jacob Blizard’s guitar work on “Keepsake Theory”.
The new single only begins the busy year ahead for Hit Like a Girl. On top of the release of Burning at Both Ends, the band has a tour starting in February to support the album, heading from Berkeley, CA, to Montreal, QC, and finishing in May at the Midwest Friends Fest in Kentucky. On top of that, Maroulis continues to run their non-profit No More Dysphoria, which they founded in 2016 to help transgender folks pay for major aspects of their transition. Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2026, the work they do remains incredibly important.
Burning at Both Ends is the next triumphant chapter in Hit Like a Girl’s existence, and “Keepsake Theory” is just the first taste. Keep up with the band’s latest news on Instagram, and take a look at the tour dates below to see if and when they’ll be coming to your town in 2026.
- 2/14/26 – Berkeley, CA @ 924 Gilman
- 2/15/26 – Sacramento, CA @ Cafe Colonial
- 2/16/26 – San Jose, CA @ Jade Cathay
- 2/17/26 – San Pedro, CA @ The Sardine
- 2/18/26 – San Diego, CA @ Humble Heart Ocean Beach
- 3/06/26 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
- 5/07/26 – Cleveland, OH @ Happy Dog
- 5/08/26 – Chicago, IL @ Burlington Bar
- 5/09/26 – Lansing, MI @ Stoop Fest
- 5/10/26 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Roboto Project
- 5/11/26 – Richmond, VA @ Bandito’s
- 5/12/26 – Washington, DC @ Quarry House Tavern
- 5/13/26 – Boston, MA @ O’Brien’s Pub
- 5/14/26 – Burlington, VT @ Odd Fellow
- 5/15/26-5/17/26 -Montreal, QC @ Pouzza Fest
- 5/30/26 – Newport, KY @ Midwest Friends Fest, South Gate House Revival
Written by Will Sisskind
