Hiya Laura, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
What was life like for you before you got into music?
To be honest my life has always centred around music. A singer called Bill Holloran lived in my village and he passed away when I was still very young.
He got me on stage singing with his karaoke machine and learning lyrics when I was about 5, and by 6 I was singing karaoke at the local pub (usually Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by The Beatles, or Losing my Religion by R.E.M.)
What’s the live music scene like in Sheffield right now? Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
The Sheffield music scene is really great, and I’ve only been in the city for a year so there’s so much to explore, and so many fantastic grassroots venues and DIY spaces. Shelley Byron has recently released a new EP called Yellow Drawn Shades that I caught live and I’m slightly obsessed.
I love songs that revolve around lyrics, and when they capture small moments of a songwriter’s life, so they really scratch that itch for me.
It seems like being a social media curator has become added to the many jobs of a musician, how do you feel about this?
I really dislike it. I’m not the worst person at social media but it takes a huge amount of effort and gives me a negative kind of validation, beyond that likes on a post doesn’t usually equate to people listening to your music. I’d just rather focus on the music itself and playing well rather than having to think about how to promote it.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
To be honest, I hate the state of the industry. Now everything is based around content, it’s more difficult to be heard above the noise. If you’ve not got the money behind you to advertise yourself properly, gig consistently and the free time to actually create the music in the first place you’re at a massive disadvantage.
Luckily I have a group of extremely talented friends who embrace DIY culture, and are fantastic producers, musicians and engineers which has allowed me to make something pretty special (well at least in my opinion).
What’s the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
To be more confident in my abilities I guess. I’m my own worst critic, and whilst I think being critical of my music is important it shouldn’t hinder my creativity. I’ve only just started playing electric guitar in my band, and I’m still learning, but I’ll never get better if I don’t play in the first place.
What was your best experience on stage?
I’ve got a few that come to mind! I’m part of a Post-punk / Krautrock band called Low Harness and we supported Manic Street Preachers at Barrowlands in Glasgow for a couple nights at the start of the year which was an out-of-body experience. We’re used to playing dingy venues and pubs, so it was bizarre being on such a big stage with that size audience!
I’m also part of a band called Sombre, and we do a gig at this pub called The Boathouse in Falmouth, Cornwall every year and it’s always just the best night. A gig of pals screaming the lyrics back to you.
What was your worst experience on stage?
I was around 14, and at a battle of the bands I started one of the songs acapella and didn’t get a starting note. So when the guitar came in it was completely the wrong key, and I just couldn’t get it after it went wrong and we had to just get off stage. It was so bad that I don’t really have stage fright anymore because nothing could be as bad as that.
Tell us something about you / each member that you think people would be surprised about.
We all met studying Popular Music at Falmouth University in Cornwall. We’ve just all moved northwards to Nottingham and Sheffield! Collectively we’re part of a lot of bands, and usually it’s a few of us together in them! Shout outs to Grain Mother, Plum Jr, Deri Sharman, Kalluna, Sombre & Low Harness.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
Yes! We’ve just released our debut EP ‘Ephemera’, which I describe as despondent ballads from an optimist. I’m a big fan of classic songwriting structures but also noise music so it’s quite traditional songs with an undercurrent of drone – quite similar to Ethel Cain’s recent albums! It’s also being released on this beautiful 10” Vinyl by a Cornish Label called Kroustpop!, which is so exciting!
What was the recording process like?
It was a dream. I recorded the EP with different musicians and friends back in Cornwall at Siren Studios ran by Willow Collins who also produced the EP. It’s a studio that gives power to women and people of diverse genders so it was such a comfortable and creative space.
It’s right on a quay in Penryn so you look out onto the sea right before you step into the studio, which is really special. It was also recorded with some of my closest friends who I don’t see as often since my move to Sheffield, so having this piece of work that I’ve created with people who I love so much is amazing.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
Getting more comfortable on guitar to write parts with more substance. The song “Morning Light” on the EP is finger picked and the first time I felt like I could actually play it on stage as an instrument rather than just a tool for songwriting.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
Probably not. It’s not perfect by any means but it encapsulates everything I wanted it to, and is recorded in the place it was written. I’m excited to get back in the studio and make more music.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I guess just a huge thanks to all my incredibly talent friends who worked on the EP with me! So lots of love to Willow, Sanket, Billy, James, Jack, Dan, Tom, Elowen, Ronnie, Katie, Tian, Kael, Paul, Debby and my Dad x
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