News
twenty one pilots, Foos, Halsey and more for Mad Cool 2026
The 10th anniversary edition of Mad Cool Festival will feature everyone from twenty one pilots and Foo Fighters to A Perfect Circle, Halsey and Palaye Royale.
Navigation menu for Kerrang!
News
Listen to Karen Dió’s punk cover of Chappell Roan: “I wanted it to really kick ass”
Karen Dió has unleashed a cover of Chappell Roan’s Casual, who she says has “been a real inspiration, I simply adore her”.
- Words:
- Emily Garner
Karen Dió has just dropped two new covers – including a punk rendition of Chappell Roan’s Casual.
For Amazon’s Artists To Watch 2025 series, the star has also unveiled has own take on I Wanna Be by fellow Brazilian rock singer Pitty. Karen says of both: “It was really exciting to get this opportunity, especially when Amazon showed interest to record not just an English song, but also a Portuguese song as well.
“For the English song I chose Chappell Roan. She has been a real inspiration, I simply adore her. When I was working on the version of Casual I didn’t want to simply do a cheap punk rock version of her song, I wanted it to really kick ass. The original almost has this ‘denial phase’ feeling when you’re breaking up a relationship, so I tried to work on the ‘anger phase’ of it. There is nothing more punk than drag queens and queer love.
“Pitty is one of my inspirations as to why I got into music in Brazil,” Karen continues. “She is an icon! When I had to think about covering a Brazilian song, I didn’t think twice. I know I Wanna Be is not one of her most famous songs but the song is so good and the lyrics are so real! I remember myself, when I was 13 years old, listening to this song over and over again on my Walkman. I love everything about it!”
Catch Karen live at Download Festival in June – get your tickets now.
Read this next:
