Kitty, Daisy & Lewis

 

The British brother and sister trio are often accompanied by their Mum on bass and their Dad, sound engineer Graeme on rhythm guitar. As teenagers they were hauled out of school to open for Coldplay during their US Tour. Ten years on, their energy on stage oozes electric pulses. Modern, retro, ska…this family are  extraordinarily real musicians. London style.

 

What do you think would have been different if you’d been musicians in the early 80’s instead of now? Lewis: I think that firstly I wouldn’t have been exposed to as much music as I am now. If I’d been a musician in the 80s I would have grown up in the 60s and music like blues and R&B  was stuff that white British people did not listen to unless they specifically sought it out or if they imported the records. Now we have internet, it’s very easy for people to discover music and film or whatever very quickly which is great. I think we are essentially a product of our times.

 

What is the most dream-like experience you have had, in terms of meeting your idols? Lewis: Most of my idols have passed on to the big guy in the sky. I’ve rarely been star struck. I do remember once seeing comedian Alexei Sayle in a hotel at breakfast in Edinburgh and thinking “Oh shit! its Alexie Sayle!”. Dad used to play a record by him at home when we were kids called ‘Ello John’s Got A New Motor” which we used to sing a lot. I seem to remember we went over to his breakfast plate when he left and took a picture of it and his leftovers! I also was introduced to Jamaican legend Prince Buster (R.I.P) in a club in London once. We conversed for a about half an hour and I was in awe. I remember he was wearing a blue shell suit, lots of gold and was very stoned.

 

What does “music» mean to you? Emotionally, philosophically, metaphysically? Lewis: For me, music is life and you can’t live without it, like food and water. It’s there at all times whether you’re feeling crappy or good, it enhances the experience. Tantra. Unlike the food and water though, music never fills you up and for me Its always changing and moving. I listen to music all the time, whether it’s whilst I’m cooking or taking a bath.

 

What writers in literature or filmmakers do you admire most? Lewis: I rarely if ever read novels, my attention span is too short. Altho’ I do enjoy Raymond Chandler and was reading Richard Yates not long ago. I read lots of technical books such as manuals on radio engineering and so fourth. I’ve also written a few myself, the construction of electrical transformers, not published yet. I most often enjoy films from before the 1970s. I love film noir things like, “ The Big Sleep” or, my favourite, “ The Third Man”. You also can’t argue with Alfred Hitchcock pictures.

 

Have you encountered inequality or sexual harassment in the music industry? Kitty: We have always been lucky in that we have never been at someone else’s mercy in terms of being in a band. We are fully in control of our music production, bookings and all of that. is means that no one else can mess with what you are doing. We always second guess anything that’s going on in terms of the business side of things and sometimes musically. I’ve never been sexually harassed altho’, someone did keep grabbing my leg at a gig when I was playing guitar the other day which was pretty funny!

 

If you were prime minister of England, what would you do? Kitty: I would let all the pubs stay open late! Make rent cheaper. Stop property developers from demolishing old buildings, pubs and venues.

 

What do you feel about the notion of women’s rights in your home country? Do you feel like it is much more advanced than in  the rest of the world? Kitty: Every culture is different so I guess compared to some countries it’s more advanced. I feel extremely lucky to have grown up in London; there’s people from every corner of the globe, different cultures, music, food. I think at the end of the day people have their own opinions, and equality and respect for women should be a given just as it is for men. I’ve spent my whole life playing gigs and working in the music industry and one of the most frequently asked questions I used to get was «what’s it like being a girl in a band?» It was something I never even thought about until people starting asking me, I used to say «it’s the same as being a bloke» and it was a bit frustrating because I wanted to talk about music, and not about how it’s unusual that a girl can play an instrument, which is ridiculous. Often when people ask me what I do for a living and I say «I’m a musician», they reply with «Oh, you’re a singer» rather than «what instrument do you play?» Society has come a long way the last few years in terms of women’s and racial equality, so hopefully it will continue to progress. Every woman has her own experiences, I’m lucky that I have such a great job and all the men I work with treat me as an equal.

 

What do you think are the main challenges humans face going into the future? Kitty: In terms of things like politics and environmental issues, everything is uncertain and no one really knows what’s going to happen in the future, which is a scary thought. But with all the stuff that’s going on in the world right now I think it’s important to try and have a positive attitude and a sense of humour about things, and not be too easily offended.

 

What is your favourite part about being in love or Not in love? Kitty: Most of the songs I’ve written have been about my relationships. Falling in love is great and all unless you get your heart broken, but then I’ll write a song and think well at least something good came out of it! I’m on the road a lot and touring around the world, and I love it, so sometimes when I get home after a long tour it’s like a massive come down. But having someone to come home to and tell your adventures to is really nice.

 

If you could have any other career other than a musician or singer, what would it be? Kitty: When I was little I wanted to be an Egyptologist! I’m not sure if I’d be good at anything other than music, but I guess any job where I get to travel the world and have fun and meet interesting people would be ideal. I’d also love to own a pub one day!

 

What advice would you give to other young musicians who want to be heard? Daisy: It’s quite hard to get heard these days, as there’s so much music around. I guess you just have to keep going and try not to give up. If the music is good then eventually you will be in the right place at the right time and opportunities will open up. Stick to what you enjoy playing and don’t just play music that you think will please other people. The social media is very important for promoting yourself and getting people to notice you. A website and some flyers isn’t enough in today’s world, so keep people interested with little videos and pictures. people love to have a little peek into the lives of the artist. And last but not least, try not to get carried away with big deals that involve you having to change what you do and change who you are. You need to work and be around positive people that love and respect you for what to are.

What question would you like a journalist to ask you? Daisy: How would you like your million pounds paid to you? Cash or bank transfer? But on a more serious note and good question to be asked would be. What are the best  things about being in band?

 

If you could jam with any-one, who would you choose and why?
Daisy: I think it’s great when you get to let loose and not take the music too seriously. So I’d love to be able to jam with a band like the Runaways, back in the 70s of course. Would be amazing to jump around on stage in some over the top outfits, singing something a bit wild and crazy. Hot and sweaty with a few beers and the amps cranked up to 11, that’s my idea of a good time.

 

Could you imagine being in a band with anyone else other than your family? do you think that’s why you get on so well? Daisy: Yes I’d love to get another band going, and do something completely different, but its just hard thinking of what to do and who to do it with. especially after being in the same band for years. i think if its meant to happen the time will come and ill meet the right people. sometimes after a few drinks with friends we say that were going to write songs together and get something going, but nothing has happened just yet. I love what I’m doing now with Kitty and Lewis, so i’m in no rush to move on or anything. Being in a band with your family is great because you know each other well that you don’t really feel judged. we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses musically, which helps in terms of getting the  best out of the music.

 

Their album SUPERSCOPE is out now!

 

Parts of this interview originally appeared in the print Verity Journal No.1  Fashion Week Paris, February 2018.