They tell to you think of them as the wild-haired lovechild of Florence and the Machine and Crystal Castles, with Tina Turner as godmother and Kim Deal copping off downstairs while babysitting. I tell you to listen to just one song to see why. After seeing them at Birmingham Pride, I’m very excited to see them performing at Lfest in two weeks. Here is what to expect with the girls themselves.

What can people expect from your gigs?

ABS: Energy, possibly a wardrobe malfunction of some description and music that’s gonna make you want to at the very least tap your toes x

LKP: They can expect Amber to produce enough kinetic energy through sheer vocal force to power a small village, Abbey to beat the skins back into life and I might hop up and down like a toddler on a space hopper.

ATG: All of the above plus me probably saying something deeply inappropriate. I am much better at singing than speaking.

 

 

How did you get into music?

ABS: Going to see shows in London made me love music/entertainment a lot. I was bought a keyboard when I was about 8, I was alright at that but thought that I’d see how I could get on playing a set of drums. Turns out, I was alright at that too.

LKP: I started playing flute in grade school. I stopped after two weeks as I had some difficulty making actual sound. Later on I joined a crazed art band in San Francisco called Caroliner Rainbow Hernia Milkqueen, and played drums for the first time at a gig (and by playing drums I mean while covered in day-glo paint and jumping up and down on a trampoline). I then learned a bit of bass, slide guitar and electric violin. This band was definitely more fun to play in than listen to.

AT-G: I was asked to audition for a main part in a school musical, they had quite literally auditioned the whole school including the caretaker before me. But when I sang something came out that no one was expecting. I am talking about my rather impressive voice of course, I didn’t soil the stage or anything. Just from looking at everyone’s faces it was clear that whatever that noise was it was good and not something that I couldn’t just ignore.

 

 

Does all of the band help with lyric writing?

ABS: Personally, sometimes I struggle to string a sensible sentence together so I don’t think I should get too involved just yet. Amber’s the lyrical genius.

LKP: Amber takes care of that for the most part. I mainly contribute feedback like “yeah, cool” and do some theme setting with song titles. We’re working on a new song I wrote the music for and Amber has come up with some lyrics that fit like Spanx on an elephant. Now that’s tight.

ATG: That’ll be me then.

 

 

Does the music come first or the lyrics?

ABS: Since I’ve joined it’s been music then lyrics. I don’t think there’s any rules about which way it’s done, so whatever works best. I guess it depends on what frame of mind you’re in.

LKP: It’s a bit chicken, a bit egg.

ATG: I like to write to a feel of music. I’m not amazing at playing instruments and have always found it difficult to arrange music to songs I’ve written. Even if I’m digitally producing something I will work the melody first then add lyrics.

 

Did you always know you were going to be a musicaian?

ABS: Not at all. I wanted to act and dance when i was younger. The music side of things was more of a hobby.  I think about how playing in front of people all came about for me and I feel really happy about how it’s all panned out.

LKP: See first answer. Flute tryout reads as a no.

ATG: Well I grew up wanting to be a page 3 model, a dancer, a police woman, an athlete, and an actress and all by the age of 15 when I did the audition at school. But since then yes, I feel it’s my calling.

What’s your favourite thing about being in the band?

ABS: The fact that we all get on so well is the best thing for me. If I didnt enjoy who I was working with, i think it would knock all the fun out of it.

LKP: Beer and volume. And the chicks. Chicks being Amber and Abby.

ATG: The process of creating new music, it’s such an exciting thing to do. And these girls are such a pleasure to be around, we have so much fun.

 

What type of music do you listen to at home?

ABS: A real mixture. There’s always gonna be a place in my heart for funky house but i also love arctic monkeys, libertines, the dead weather, the kills….I also have the blood brothers soundtrack on my iPod which I slightly regret buying when my iPods on shuffle in front of friends!

LKP: Everything from John Denver to Sabbath to Four Tet to The Jackson Five.

ATG: The other day I was decorating and indulged myself with a bit of Eternal, Estelle and Gypsy Kings. So in answer to your question, everything and anything.

 

Have you got a favourite place to perform?

ABS: The Dublin castle in Camden is my new favourite. The history of the place is a winner for me but the atmosphere is brilliant too.

LKP: Your mum’s house.

ATG: Firstly, LKP – Nice. Favourite place has to be Cargo in Shoreditch, the sound system is heavy in there. But the Dublin Castle is also an awesome place and for all the reasons Abs has said. It was a bizarrely humbling experience.

 

What’s the coolest thing about you?

ABS: I’m a lady and I play the drums. If anyone tells you otherwise, they’re lying .

LKP: Perhaps the knickers I hid in Amber’s freezer.

ATG: That I have never divulged any of LKP’s hilarious drunken stories in any interviews. They are so good it would almost be worth losing her as a friend & band mate just so I could tell the world.

The uncoolest?

ABS: I like washing up.

LKP: Does a peace sign tattoo qualify? HELL YEAH. It’s been covered up with something that should also be removed. When will I learn…

ATG: I like crown green bowls

 

What do you do in your spare time?

ABS: Wash up! I like to catch up with friends, and spend time with the mista.

LKP: What spare time? It’s all about the music. And the cats. I don’t have any cats.

ATG: Spend as much time with my gorgeous wife and fantastic friends as I can. They recharge my batteries.

 

So what’s next for 2012/2013?

ABS: A lot more gigs, photos, videos, giggles etc. wanna join us?

LKP: Pyrotechics and smoke machines, some brand new recordings and A LOT OF FUN.

ATG: More song releases, A video or two, A few festivals. And maybe just maybe we’ll take one of these record companies up on their offers. Who knows?

Find out more info by going to headshearts.com

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