The Dare: Industry Plant or Circumstance?
BY LILY SIMMONS
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The Dare: Industry Plant or Circumstance?
Harrison Patrick Smith, known as The Dare, and previously Turtlenecked, is a New York-based DJ and Musician. The Dare is most notable for his 2023 single ‘Girls’ and his production of the song ‘Guess’ by Charli XCX. The Dare has been active in the DJ scene since 2015, but has recently gained immense popularity, leaving many people wondering, is this the industry’s doing or just the right place at the right time?
Where did The Dare begin? Smith first started releasing music in 2016 while attending college in Portland, under the name “Turtlenecked” with his debut album “Pure Plush Bone Cage” gaining him a cult following. In 2017 Smith moved to New York, continuing as Turtlenecked in the New York scene while also working as a waiter and a guitar teacher. Until 2022, Smith worked as a substitute teacher in a private school in New York City. At this time, he began hosting occasional parties called “Frequencies” at a dive bar called “Home Sweet Home” on the Lower East Side. Smith began playing his song “Girls” at these parties, and after seeing how well it was received by the crowd, he released it as The Dare’s first single in August of 2023, becoming the first domino to who The Dare is today.
An Industry plant is a term for performers, most commonly musicians, who have been aided greatly by forces other than their own merits. “Industry plant” is often a term with negative connotations, with artists and their fans fighting to prove that they worked hard for their status.
Smith embraces the jokes, recently posting a TikTok of a fake Spirit Halloween costume labeled “Industry Plant” containing his signature look, a slim black suit and tie, sunglasses, and a cigarette.
What exactly are the factors that made The Dare so popular, and so quickly? One of the main and most relevant influences was Smith’s friendship with Charli XCX, and her recent album Brat. Smith is a close friend of Charli, and his association with her, being DJ sets together, and his appearance at her birthday party has introduced him to her fanbase. But the biggest influence was his production of the song ‘Guess’ and its feature remix with Billie Eilish, becoming one of Brat’s most-known songs and being nominated for a Grammy. The Dare has also greatly influenced the ‘Indie sleaze revival’, Indie Sleaze is a style and subculture of the late 2000s and early 2010s, popularized for its messy and affordable twist on vintage fashion, characterized by bright colors and pattern mixing. The music of the subculture was notable too, its energetic dance beats and nostalgic sound make it the perfect style to bring back in 2024, and The Dare does so perfectly, with his 2000s-esque look, sound, and raunchy lyrics.
So, is The Dare an industry plant? Probably not. It seems as though he is just an artist who has been underappreciated and has worked hard to finally come into the limelight by having the right sound, and the right friends, at the right time.
"Send it to The Dare yeah I think he's with it" - Charli XCX "Guess"
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