Toronto hardcore up-and-comer, DoFlame, shares a striking new video for ‘The Ick’, a highlight of his recently released second album, BENT, out now via Blue Grape Music (GEL, Code Orange, Spiritual Cramp). Masterminded by 21-year-old punk, Mateo Naranjo, DoFlame is like the hardcore version of a coming-of-age movie, capturing all of the joy, confusion, and determination of being young and unsure of what’s next, just as effectively as it blends the unbridled aggression of heavy music with the swagger of hip hop.
Speaking on ‘The Ick’ Naranjo shares:
“This song had a lot aggression towards some of the politics in my city and I think In having such a chaotic song I wanted to match it with an equally busy video. Sticking to something DIY, we recorded some green screen stuff onto a broken VCR and took the footage from there. This vid was a fun one to make.”
The video for ‘The Ick’ was directed by Naranjo and Noah Douglas and caps off a remarkable 2024 for Naranjo and DoFlame, a year that’s seen him draw support and acclaim from the likes of Revolver Magazine, Alternative Press, BrooklynVegan, Clash and Kerrang!. Growing up moving between the suburb of Brampton and the city of Toronto, Naranjo became immersed in punk and hardcore – and enamoured with the sense of community that can be fostered in underground subcultures. As DoFlame began to churn out singles and release 2022’s debut album, DoStroy, Naranjo spearheaded the start of OFFLEASH a collective of friends and collaborators doing everything from filming skate videos and music videos, to designing and manufacturing clothing, to hosting shows and even community bbqs around the city.
“I just wanted to make some kind of central hub for everyone to join in and identify with,” he says. “I wanted kids to see that you can do cool things, you can make cool things, you don’t just have to sit around or party. I want to document this scene we have and show the world through our eyes what’s happening with our friends and our city.”
DoFlame heads out for a run of US dates in January 2025 alongside Blue Grape Music labelmates Silly Goose.
DoFlame Tour Dates
2024
December
13 – Toronto, ON – The Bridge^
2025
January
8 – St. Louis, MO – Atomic Lounge*
9 – Milwaukee, WI – Vivarium*
10 – Chicago, IL – Cobra Lounge*
12 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups*
^ = w/ Dear-God, Klokwise
* = w/ Silly Goose
For more information on DoFlame please check their instagram and X.