We love the Vivian Girls. Tom Whyman, always one to get enthusastic about great music, suggested that EVERYONE should own a copy of their self-titled debut, and who are we to argue? So, what better time with their UK tour occuring RIGHT NOW, to catch up with the girls and find out a bit about what makes ‘em tick.
For people out there that have never heard of you. Give us three reasons why they should…
I’m not sure. I guess if they like girl groups or garage rock or shoegaze, they should hear of us.
Can you recall the moment when you first decided you wanted to become a musician?
When I was maybe 7 years old and I went to my friend’s house. Her dad had a guitar and I would always try to play it and fail.
Where do your songs come from? What’s your inspiration?
They definitely come from the heart. All our songs are about real life experiences that made an effect on us.
Name your Top 5 records.
Wipers – Youth of America
Burt Bacharach – Make It Easy on Yourself
Nirvana – Nevermind
Jay Reatard – Blood Visions
Weezer – the Blue Album
What was the first gig you ever played and was it a success?
It was in our friends’ living room at a punk house in Brooklyn. It was really great. A lot of people came and we all had a good time.
What one thing has caused you to waste your free time in the past 6 months?
Project Runway. We all love that show. We’d even watch it at houses we played at on tour if it was on.
If you weren’t making music, what do you think you’d be doing?
I’d be making art, Katy would be a high school physics teacher and Ali would be hanging out at her parents’ house drinking watermelon martinis.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Being a waitress at a New Jersey diner. I only had that job for a night but it was terrible. So boring and everyone just ordered the grossest food.
We’d like you to make us a mix-tape. Pick five tracks with a theme of your choice.
Ok the theme is: creepy songs
Hall & Oates – Private Eyes
Patience and Prudence – Tonight You Belong To Me
Paul McCartney – Wonderful Christmastime
Romantics – Talking in your Sleep
Weezer – Across the Sea
Related posts
This whole “shouting AND SO SHOULD YOU” (etc) as a reviewing technique thing is really catching on huh? In other news I recently scheduled a gig my university society put on for the same night as when Vivian Girls played in Manchester, which was a shame.
<3 VIVIAN GIRLS. Poptastic!
Face like a bulldog chewing a wasp etc.
(c) Les Dawson 1975
I kinda think VG might go by way of Toyko Police Club or Ambulance Ltd: good and promising debuts (or ep’s as the case may be) and then fade. In other words, not quite the PF/Stereogum hype. Hopefully I am wrong and their next effort will be truly great… but y’know they’re a bunch of girls so…. ha!