Harrison Patrick Smith, better known as The Dare, isn’t just making music—he’s tearing up the rulebook of what it means to be an artist in today’s New York City. Born on March 19, 1996, and once known by the more indie-friendly alias Turtlenecked, Smith has transformed himself into the poster child of the chaotic and electrifying Indie Sleaze revival. Fueled by raw energy, off-the-wall performances, and a rebellious spirit, The Dare is shaking up the scene, giving the finger to overly polished trends with a sound that's impossible to ignore.

From Nerdy to Nasty: The Dare is Born

Before Smith became the frontman for New York’s grittiest new sound, he was making moody, introspective indie music as Turtlenecked in the laid-back Pacific Northwest. But something wasn’t clicking. The scene had grown too serious, too brooding, too… predictable. Harrison, a self-described “music nerd” from Woodinville, Washington, decided it was time to ditch the melancholy and inject a bit of madness into his work.

Cue The Dare. What started as a joke—frenetic, tongue-in-cheek songs made to amuse friends—turned into a cultural moment. His debut single, “Girls,” became the anthem for the post-lockdown nightlife explosion in New York, blending indie-punk swagger with the hedonistic pulse of the underground club scene. The New York Times called it “[e]pically silly and epically debauched.” Smith simply called it a rejection of the “overly serious” indie crap flooding the market. In short, The Dare was born to cause trouble.

Signing with the Big Dogs and Shaking Up the Scene

When Smith dropped "Girls" in August 2022, it quickly became clear this was no ordinary indie track. It was raw, wild, and unapologetically fun—a love letter to the gritty, chaotic spirit of the 2000s indie sleaze era. The reaction was instant: the New York party scene was buzzing, and soon enough, Republic Records came knocking. After a fiery bidding war, The Dare signed on the dotted line, unleashing his Sex EP in May 2023.

The EP was a shot across the bow—critics were divided, but Smith didn’t care. For every naysayer comparing him to LMFAO and calling his vibe “exhausting,” there was someone else sweating it out at his next gig, hands up, screaming for more.

What’s Wrong with New York? A Bold Debut

By September 2024, Smith had unleashed his debut full-length album, What’s Wrong with New York? Critics who dismissed The Dare as a one-hit wonder or a passing trend were forced to eat their words. The album was a brazen ode to the city that made him—dark, sexy, and pulsating with attitude. Think LCD Soundsystem with a heavy dose of unpredictability. It's not just music; it’s a rallying cry for every party animal, misfit, and rebel in New York.

Meanwhile, Smith's collaboration with pop royalty Charli XCX on Brat has only fueled his rise. Producing “Guess” for the deluxe edition of her album, then remixing it with Billie Eilish, The Dare proved he’s not just playing around. His sound dominated the UK charts, and his role as the opener for Charli XCX’s Brat tour took him to a whole new level.

Indie Sleaze's Wild Child

Smith’s rise from indie cult favorite to New York’s hottest provocateur has been rapid, but not surprising. His relentless DJ gigs at downtown hotspots like Freakquencies and his ability to throw afterparties for brands like Gucci and Celine have made him a fixture in the fashion world. With his sharp jawline, disheveled hair, and permanently cocked grin, Smith embodies a certain kind of nightlife chaos that the city has been missing.

The Dare isn’t just another face in New York’s underground scene. He’s the guy lighting the match, letting everything burn, and laughing as it all goes up in flames. His music dares you to let loose, stop overthinking, and get a little wild. In a world of polished influencers and manufactured cool, The Dare is pure, uncut rebellion.

What’s Next for The Dare?

Now based in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Smith continues to thrive in the unpredictable world he’s helped create. With the indie sleaze revival firmly in his grasp, there’s no telling where he’ll take The Dare next. The parties will get crazier, the beats will get louder, and if you’re lucky, you might just catch him DJing at a dark, sweaty bar somewhere on the Lower East Side. One thing’s for sure—The Dare isn’t slowing down.

So, what’s wrong with New York? According to Harrison Patrick Smith, not a damn thing.