Chipped Nail Polish started with an electric ukulele and a bad manicure. Jill Sullivan, the mastermind behind it all, launched the project several years ago while studying at the University of Oregon. Immersed in the school’s vibrant DIY music scene, she emerged not only with an EP, but also with a close-knit community of like-minded musicians.
For years, the band was based in Portland, OR, built around an evolving mix of friends Sullivan met throughout the Oregon music scene. The ethos of Chipped Nail Polish has always been rooted in community and connection, with live shows filled with audience participation, silly jokes, and unexpectedly tender moments.
Now in a more nomadic chapter, Sullivan has left behind her Portland home for the time being. She’s traveling light, with just a few belongings—including a tiny 3D-printed ukulele. In the quiet stretches between cities and borrowed spaces, she found time for solitude and reflection. During that period, she wrote her first full-length album: a collection of memories, personal reckonings, and hopeful glimpses of what’s ahead.
Chipped Nail Polish draws from indie rock, lo-fi pop, and surf punk, blending jagged energy with a softer edge. The songs are raw and personal, shaped by sharp lyrics, emotional honesty, and an understated sense of humor.
The debut album, After Ankeny, arrived in September 2025, marking a new era of change, movement, and the bittersweet process of growing into yourself.
—
