Trophy Wife
Trophy Wife Embraces Vulnerability and Evolution with Get Ugly
Indie rock band Trophy Wife is carving a niche in the music world with their latest release, Get Ugly—a reflection of a year of personal growth, creative risk, and emotional exploration. Featuring intense lyrics, textured instrumentals, and a willingness to be uncomfortable, the Brooklyn-based trio delivers a record that is as intimate as it is expansive.
Comprised of McKenzie Iazzetta (vocals, songwriting), Christian Pace (bass), and Michael Martelli (drums), Trophy Wife came together in Boston, where the three met at Berklee College of Music. However, the band didn’t start as a collaborative creation—it began as McKenzie’s solo project.
“I had some stuff out that was acoustic and whatever,” McKenzie explained. “In 2020, I had a bunch of songs I was sitting on, and two of my roommates said, ‘Why don’t you record these with a band and make them sound … real?’
That push marked the beginning of Trophy Wife as we know it today. While the project was born from McKenzie’s songwriting, Christian and Michael infused their own unique energy, helping flesh out her ideas into fully realized sonic stories.
Since relocating to New York in 2022, the band has steadily gained a following with visceral live performances and an emotionally resonant sound. For Trophy Wife, the journey has been one of growth and collaboration.
A Dive into Get Ugly
At its core, Get Ugly is about transformation. The album’s themes of self-reflection, discomfort, and growth mirror the band’s creative process.
“For me, writing is often about the things I don’t like to talk about—the parts of myself I’m not proud of,” McKenzie said. “It’s like I’ve created this character I write through, and she’s not exactly chill.”
The songwriting process is deeply collaborative. McKenzie typically crafts the skeletons of the songs, which Christian and Michael build out. “Sometimes McKenzie and I have completely different vibes for how a song should sound,” Christian said. “But the goal is always to make something that serves the storytelling.”
The recording of Get Ugly was both arduous and fulfilling. The band spent seven intense days in the studio, working from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“We set a deadline for ourselves to finish the songs, which gave us the structure we needed,” McKenzie said. “It was a tough year, but the record came together as a reflection of everything we were going through.”
One of Trophy Wife’s most distinctive traits is their unique song titles. Asked about the naming process, Christian laughed and said, “If it’s obvious, it’s obvious. With ‘Swamp Song,’ it just felt … swampy.”
From Berklee Beginnings to Brooklyn Stages
Trophy Wife’s foundation lies in the connection between its members and their ability to push one another creatively. “Everything we do is a continuation of the last thing,” Christian said. That sense of continuity is reflected not only in their music but also in their journey as a band. Yet, even though their music builds on what came before, it never feels repetitive or stagnant; instead, it always feels fresh and dynamic.
Initially formed amidst the landscape of Berklee, their move to Brooklyn added a visceral, DIY element to their performances. Playing through Get Ugly for the first time at New York’s TV Eye, their live shows demonstrated their ability to connect with audiences. Michael admitted, “We used to perform so much that the gigs became our rehearsals. It forces you to step up your game.”
What’s Next?
As Get Ugly gains traction, Trophy Wife is focused on sharing their music through live performances and writing new material. Their next show is December 8 at Cassette in Bushwick. For fans looking to support the band, McKenzie has one simple recommendation: “Come to a show, listen to the record, and tell your friends.”
Trophy Wife’s story is one of growth as both artists and humans. With Get Ugly, they’ve cemented themselves as a band unafraid to stand in the middle of life’s mess, unfiltered, and create something uniquely stunning.
Note from the author: This band is kickass!
Photo by Renee Newman