INTERVIEW WITH ALTERNATIVE BAND, VENUS GRRRLS
This blog is a very different one to usually but as you all know I love discovering new music, and over the past few weeks its been no different especially with 5 piece Alternative band, Venus Grrrls who are from Leeds.
Venus Grrrls are made up of 5 ladies - Grace Kelly, Gabby Cooke, Jess Ayres, Hannah Barraclough, and Grace Stubbings.
Photo Credit: Kayleigh Hinsley
Firstly, I would like you to introduce yourselves to our readers?
We’re an all girl rock band from Leeds, promoting the participation and inclusion of women in alternative music, as well as a safer, diverse music scene.
How did the band come together?
Our lead singer, Grace Kelly set out to form an all girl punk band inspired by iconic riot grrrl bands such as Bikini Kill. She reached out to us individually and we had our first rehearsal together as complete strangers. Things just took off from there.
I love how you all went in as strangers but you all really got on.
What first got you into music? And what was the first song you performed as a band?
The first song we ever played as a band was Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill. We have always said it’s due to this song, that things really kicked off for us. Rebel Girl brought the five of us together and set the tone for our first ever original songs. Each of us come from such different musical backgrounds so it’s hard to say what first got us into music. However, it’s due to our diverse music tastes that we create the sound that Venus has today.
Being from different backgrounds, you wouldn't know you all gel so wonderfully as a band together it's been wonderful to hear.
What's been your favourite venue to perform at?
There have been so many incredible grassroots venues we’ve played at across the UK, our top few have to be Nice n Sleazy in Glasgow, the vibe there from the audience was just amazing. The Studio in Hartlepool will always have a special place in our hearts. And Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds, where we played our first ever sold out show for the launch party of our first single Deranged.
I can't move on from this part of the interview without asking you about your debut EP/ single, Wicked Things which featured 3 songs - how was that for you to release? Did it feel weird releasing during lockdown?
It was definitely a strange experience for us. We were just about to go on tour with the band MINT and have our launch party in Leeds when the lockdown was put in place and we had to cancel everything. It was unusual not having that face to face interaction with the audience.
Fingers crossed you can get a launch party, and celebrate once all of this is over.
What was the response like?
Despite the circumstances, the response has been really great. I think a lot of people are turning to music at this difficult time and we’re so grateful for the support we’ve received, despite not being able to perform the EP.
This is something, I have loved seeing your social media as you have overcome quite a lot - this is why I think you are a rather special kind of band.
Over lockdown, I have noticed that you have been updating your social media quite a lot is this important to you to keep your fans up to date? As well as doing a livestream?
Of course, it’s always good to keep connected with the fans and even more so now. Even though it’s been challenging, we’ve felt it’s important to keep on top of our social presence as there’s lots going on behind the scenes to look forward to when things return to normal. The live stream was a lot of fun too. We did that pretty much at the start of lockdown to promote our EP. It was a great chance to get that interaction with our audience that we would usually get from a live show. It also felt much more personal and definitely something we’ll think about doing again in the future, lockdown or not.
How you discovered anything new about yourselves?
This unexpected situation we’ve all been thrown into has certainly been a learning curve for many people. I think for the most part we’ve been reassured that we’re all incredibly committed to this band and are determined to make things work despite being in a difficult position and has given us the motivation to hit the ground running when things return to normal.
I can't praise you enough for this.
How are you feeling about the moment when you can get back on the road once all of this is over?
We can’t wait to get back on the road, we’re all missing it so much. It will definitely be a strange experience getting back on stage together for the first time in so long, but it will be worth it for the feeling of being in front of an audience again, in different places around the UK.
Once this is over, I know where I'll coming.
I love asking this interview in our interviews but how would you describe yourself in just 3 words?
As a band, fierce, strong and compassionate.
This I agree with, and like a lot.
Now, how would you describe your music in just 3 words?
Snarling, energetic, and empowering.We’re an all girl rock band from Leeds, promoting the participation and inclusion of women in alternative music, as well as a safer, diverse music scene.
How did the band come together?
Our lead singer, Grace Kelly set out to form an all girl punk band inspired by iconic riot grrrl bands such as Bikini Kill. She reached out to us individually and we had our first rehearsal together as complete strangers. Things just took off from there.
I love how you all went in as strangers but you all really got on.
What first got you into music? And what was the first song you performed as a band?
The first song we ever played as a band was Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill. We have always said it’s due to this song, that things really kicked off for us. Rebel Girl brought the five of us together and set the tone for our first ever original songs. Each of us come from such different musical backgrounds so it’s hard to say what first got us into music. However, it’s due to our diverse music tastes that we create the sound that Venus has today.
Being from different backgrounds, you wouldn't know you all gel so wonderfully as a band together it's been wonderful to hear.
What's been your favourite venue to perform at?
There have been so many incredible grassroots venues we’ve played at across the UK, our top few have to be Nice n Sleazy in Glasgow, the vibe there from the audience was just amazing. The Studio in Hartlepool will always have a special place in our hearts. And Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds, where we played our first ever sold out show for the launch party of our first single Deranged.
I can't move on from this part of the interview without asking you about your debut EP/ single, Wicked Things which featured 3 songs - how was that for you to release? Did it feel weird releasing during lockdown?
It was definitely a strange experience for us. We were just about to go on tour with the band MINT and have our launch party in Leeds when the lockdown was put in place and we had to cancel everything. It was unusual not having that face to face interaction with the audience.
Fingers crossed you can get a launch party, and celebrate once all of this is over.
What was the response like?
Despite the circumstances, the response has been really great. I think a lot of people are turning to music at this difficult time and we’re so grateful for the support we’ve received, despite not being able to perform the EP.
Now to talk you ladies about the lockdown, and it's impact on you music artists
How are has lockdown been for you, ladies? Has it been you time to practice your instruments, and songwriting?
We’ve all spent lockdown in different parts of the UK, some of us with limited equipment. Our drummer, Gabby, didn’t have her full kit with her for the most part and Grace didn’t have access to anything so we had to adapt to a new way of working together, which was challenging to begin with. We’ve certainly been able to focus a lot more on writing new material during this time, and as a result we’ve got some very exciting things in the making.This is something, I have loved seeing your social media as you have overcome quite a lot - this is why I think you are a rather special kind of band.
Over lockdown, I have noticed that you have been updating your social media quite a lot is this important to you to keep your fans up to date? As well as doing a livestream?
Of course, it’s always good to keep connected with the fans and even more so now. Even though it’s been challenging, we’ve felt it’s important to keep on top of our social presence as there’s lots going on behind the scenes to look forward to when things return to normal. The live stream was a lot of fun too. We did that pretty much at the start of lockdown to promote our EP. It was a great chance to get that interaction with our audience that we would usually get from a live show. It also felt much more personal and definitely something we’ll think about doing again in the future, lockdown or not.
How you discovered anything new about yourselves?
This unexpected situation we’ve all been thrown into has certainly been a learning curve for many people. I think for the most part we’ve been reassured that we’re all incredibly committed to this band and are determined to make things work despite being in a difficult position and has given us the motivation to hit the ground running when things return to normal.
I can't praise you enough for this.
How are you feeling about the moment when you can get back on the road once all of this is over?
We can’t wait to get back on the road, we’re all missing it so much. It will definitely be a strange experience getting back on stage together for the first time in so long, but it will be worth it for the feeling of being in front of an audience again, in different places around the UK.
Once this is over, I know where I'll coming.
I love asking this interview in our interviews but how would you describe yourself in just 3 words?
As a band, fierce, strong and compassionate.
This I agree with, and like a lot.
Now, how would you describe your music in just 3 words?
Definitely empowering.
What do you hope 2020/ 2021 will bring for you as an artist after quarantine?
We have big plans for 2021, something we’re working on at the moment. We hope the music industry will be more alive than ever after quarantine and people will be in serious need of live music!
You are one band, I am very grateful to have discovered during lockdown and I hope others people will get checking your music out.
Thank you so much for your time, Grace, Gabby, Hannah, Jess, and Grace.
You can follow Venus Grrrls on their Social Media
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