Q+A with Nicole Davis of Aspirin Age

“The floor’s the limit” on Aspirin Age, a painfully good selection of shoegaze, psych, and dream pop tunes compiled by Nicole Davis for DKFM. From dark and heavy to sheer and shimmery, Nicole has an admirable knack for putting together a monthly must-hear for fans and creators in and around the shoegaze genre. With roots in community radio in the US, Nicole and Aspirin Age represent the best of what can sprout from independent community-centric people and initiatives over time.

In this blank mood Q+A Nicole shares the origin story of Aspirin Age, the radio show and the shoegaze compilation. She also reveals what currently excites her most about shoegaze, something she thinks musicians should know about radio DJs, and her one potentially controversial opinion about shoegaze.

What is the theme of Aspirin Age and when did you first develop it?

Well, Aspirin Age didn't start off as just a shoegaze radio show, it sorta was a bit of everything indie but mostly shoegaze, dream-pop and psych. Around the mid 2000's I had a booking agency where I would book a specific roster of bands who all fit the shoegaze/psych/dream-pop bill, two bands being from the Charlotte, North Carolina area. So a friend in Charlotte asked me if I would be interested in doing a show on their community radio station, PMCR (Plaza Midwood Community Radio) and I said yes. To be truly honest, I had zero idea what I was doing and did it mostly to promote the bands I was booking but somehow or another I figured it out. I think I was also maybe the only DJ who did it from another state, I could be wrong. It was more frequent than once a month, and it started out as a two-hour show. The show now on DKFM is one hour.

You’ve made at least 39 episodes of the radio show - what have you learned over those episodes? What have you changed or kept the same, what works and what doesn’t?

I've made 40 as of now, the 41st show is coming out on August 26th, again, this being on DKFM, Aspirin Age was around before that, there's no telling how many exact episodes there are.

Honestly, I play whatever feels good, I always have, it changes with my mood. I guess over the years the one thing that might've changed is that I do lean into more of the heavier side of shoegaze. I guess some call it blackgaze, doomgaze, etc. That's what I've been really into the past few years.

As far as what works and what doesn't, I'm not too sure. It works for me and shows what I love and I think and hope the listeners pick up on that. Since DKFM is solely a shoegaze and dream-pop radio station, I think it's good I set myself apart from the other shows, which is what the other DJ's do as well. If you don't like heavier, darker stuff, you might not listen to my show specifically but there's other shows that might suit those listeners better.

How did you decide on the name of the show?

I'm gonna be completely honest with you, I think it was a drunken conversation between myself and my best friend Michael (who does the comp with me on his label, Broken Sound Tapes). I think I asked him for help with a name and he's so clever, he sorta named it for me. It's a play on old (first generation) shoegazers having back pains from one being old and two from having to look down at their pedalboards which causes back pain and leads into them needing to take an Aspirin. Still hilarious to me after all these years, haha!

Nicole Davis of Aspirin Age.

When and how did you come to radio?

Kinda circling back to your previous question, it was happenstance and through folks I know. With DKFM, it sorta was the same. Greg asked me after I did a guest DJ spot on my friend, Paul Lopez's show called The Shoegaze Collective on DKFM. It sorta just happened with the help of Paul. Greg had heard Aspirin Age previously when I did it elsewhere and I guess he saw me worthy of having a show on DKFM which I'm eternally grateful for.

Do you ever have periods where you feel like you’re not discovering new tunes or bands and are at a loss as to what to include in a show? How do you get over that road block?

Well, It happened before when I was doing the first Aspirin Age shows after a few years. I was starting to feel burned out and it wasn't fun anymore which is ultimately why I took a hiatus. On DKFM, since I only have a once-a-month show, I don't feel that way at all after three years. Luckily I love researching new bands and I have bands reach out to me, too which is lovely. I think the resurgence in shoegaze has helped with that and also the internet and just how many new artists are making music. I can't even keep up, honestly and it's exciting!

Aspirin Age is also the name of a shoegaze compilation project you work on - what is the connection between it and your radio show other than shoegaze?

The connection is actually just that, THE connection. It's a way for folks to hear new shoegaze bands that they might've not ever heard if they stumble upon it at a record store not knowing my radio show. Perhaps they'll listen to the comp and might want to check out my DKFM show or vice versa. It's sorta a win/win situation no matter how you spin it in that aspect; No pun intended. The other major connection is that it's been a way to connect with my best friend, Michael, who actually puts out the compilation on his label, Broken Sound Tapes. It's been a way for us to connect over the years and do a creative project together. Also, we've been lucky to have personal friends on the comp which is also rad and helpful for those bands as well. It's a connection which is all about community, we're the scene that celebrates ourselves!

I’m assuming this is a project that is a ton of work but also comes with a big reward and happy sense of achievement.

Yes, it's been a lot of work but rewarding. Michael and I both do our parts with the comp, we both have our jobs. I sorta field emails and such from bands who want to submit, find the artist for the cover art and post on social media. I guess I would say I'm more on the admin/social media side. Michael likes shoegaze but definitely isn't his favorite genre, so he trusts me with picking the tracks that go on the comp. He listens and sorta gives me his opinion and we work from there. It's very much a collab situation. Michael is the one who hand-dubs the actual tapes, gets them mixed and mastered, puts them on Bandcamp, mails the media out, and divvy's the money out to bands once costs are accounted for.

What’s one thing that you think artists or bands should know about radio DJs but don’t?

That we work really hard because we're passionate about the music and bands and artists we play. All we want to do is help smaller bands get air time. We pay for the music ourselves I would say most of the time in hopes others will go on Bandcamp and also support. We're the bridge between bands and fans. We play a crucial part I think and most bands and supporters would say the same.

What’s one of the weirdest things a listener or artist has said to you? And the biggest compliment?

Oh man, I guess it would be from the younger generation of new shoegaze bands I sorta have adopted as my children. Them asking me for advice or looking up to me and sharing their big wins with me. I've seen so many bands blow up and them reach out to me, thanking me for the help along the way, that's been the most gratifying. Compliment wise, I guess just telling me "I'm cool" or whatever. I've gotten hit on by young ones and that's nice but also strange. Again, I'm old enough to be your mother! Haha!

How do you stay connected to an international scene and fan base?

Well, through the radio show of course, but I would say mainly social media. I post a good bit and I'm active in a bunch of groups; I'm an admin in a few as well. I think maybe just being engaging, sharing and listening as much as time allows.

What excites you about the current shoegaze scene?

I know a lot of folks will cringe at this but the usage of shoegaze on apps, like TikTok for instance. Shoegaze, first generation shoegaze, has had a major resurgence thanks to young folks using their songs. I'm going to be basic and use Slowdive as an example but the amount of young folks at Slowdive shows is mind blowing. I'm talking about high school, early 20's. Sure it could be because their parents have amazing music taste too but it's mostly from TikTok. Seeing them at shows, seeing how excited and how emotional they get is beautiful. Also, the fact that these first generation shoegaze bands are FINALLY getting their flowers, excites me as well.

Do you have an unpopular opinion about shoegaze that you're willing to share?

Sure. I think just because you use a pedal or two, doesn't mean you're a shoegaze band. Full stop.

If you could change anything about the music industry (or music fans), what would it be?

Music industry wise, it's upsetting to watch bands get used as pawns by labels, managers and streaming platforms. They exploit the bands for profit while the bands wallets and spirit take the hit. It's a tale as old as time, I suppose.

Fan wise? I wish they'd not talk over my favorite bands at shows while they're performing! I actually came to listen to the music, haha!

What’s coming up for your show and compilation project for the rest of 2025 and/or into 2026?

I have a new Aspirin Age show airing on August 26th. You can find Aspirin Age on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky to keep up with the show.

Also, the fifth Aspirin Age compilation will be going up for pre-sale in the next few weeks and coming out mid-October during cassette week. You can find all other Aspirin Age compilations on Bandcamp. Be on the look out for the new pre-sale there too.