Deftones have always had a unique blend of alternative metal, shoegaze, and ethereal sounds, and have long been a band that transcends genres. Their influence is far-reaching, and it seems that a new wave of female artists has drawn influence from the Deftones’ playbook, creating music that imitates the band’s sound while adding their own twist.
Amira Elfeky
Amira Elfeky is a name you might not have heard yet, but she’s quickly gaining traction among fans of darker, atmospheric rock. Her music is heavily inspired by the shoegaze elements that Deftones have perfected, with lush, layered guitar riffs and haunting vocals that create an immersive experience.
She can channel that moody, Deftones-esque vibe while making it distinctly her own. The twenty-something singer-songwriter has described her aesthetic as “a blend of 2000s nu-metal mall-goth bagginess mixed with dark vampirism.” She also recently played her debut headlining show and had a busy tour schedule ahead. She has summer dates with the Used and Story of the Year.
Wisp
Wisp is another artist whose music resonates with that dreamy yet powerful sound that Deftones fans adore. She is inspired by the likes of Whirr and Deftones and San Francisco-based artist, Wisp was met with immediate success upon the release of her debut single “Your Face” last year. It has garnered more than 48 million streams on Spotify. Described as a “wall-to-wall shoegaze heater” by NYLON, the 19-year-old’s music is very reminiscent of early 2000s alternative rock that it’s difficult to come to terms with the fact that she makes this music today.
Certainly, she’s not a one-hit wonder. After the release of “Your Face”, she released incredibly popular singles such as “Tangled Dreams”, “Once then we’ll be free,” and “See you soon”, which resulted in her amassing a cult-like fanbase.
Alexis Munroe
Alexis Munroe brings a more experimental edge to the Deftones-inspired sound. Her music incorporates elements of electronic rock, shoegaze, and even a bit of post-punk. Her songs prove that the 24-year-old Canadian singer takes the Deftones’ influence and spins it into something that feels fresh and forward-thinking.
Her all-platform-released album “LITTLE BABY B!TCH” was published in July 2, 2019, making her style of music even more recognized. The Record “Who TF is She?” proved her different take on alternative, indie, metal, and hip hop sounds. Earlier in her career, Alexis Munroe started getting musical attention and new fans from her pop, melodic style of music with the song “Touch” which was released on June 14, 2018
Cloudyfield
Cloudyfield captures the melancholic essence of Deftones with her music, which often feels like a dreamy escape into a world of shadows and light. Her vocals are both fragile and powerful, perfectly complementing the atmospheric instrumentals that characterize her sound. Tracks like “Into the Mist” and “Silent Storm” showcase her ability to craft songs that are emotionally charged and musically rich. Cloudyfield’s music is perfect for those who love the introspective, brooding side of Deftones.
Violent Vira
Violent Vira, formerly known as Vira, is a first-generation Mexican-American alternative rock musician and singer based in Los Angeles. Violent Vira is an artist who brings grit and grace to her Deftones-inspired sound. Her latest album Till’ Death Was Never Enough was released in 2023.
Nessa Barrett
Nessa Barrett might be more established in the pop world, but she’s been dabbling in darker, more rock-inspired sounds that have clear Deftones influences. Barrett rose to prominence on the video-sharing app TikTok in 2019, though she has since transitioned into making music. Barrett began her music career in mid-2020 with the release of her debut single “Pain”.
In 2019, Barrett joined the social media platform TikTok. Barrett accumulated over 16 million followers on the platform as of July 2021. Barrett has garnered over 184 million likes on the platform and has had singles “Pain” and “La Di Die.” Barrett’s debut single was released in 2020.
Barrett continued her music career, intended to embody a “punk, dark rock kind of vibe”, with the release of her dramatic second single and romantic-revenge anthem “If U Love Me” in October 2020.
On June 25, 2021, Barrett released “Counting Crimes.” Nessa Barrett’s Warner Records debut album, Young Forever, features edgy, gothic pop grounded in stories about heartache, mental health, and accountability.
It seems that Deftones’ influence is alive and well, especially among this new wave of female artists.
