Meet The Dandylions, one of the semi-finalists of Nusic's FSN 2017...
How would you describe your music?
Daryl: It’s high-energy glam rock and roll. Dean Jackson from BBC Nottingham called it neo-glam. I wanted to go a step further and call it meta-glam. But either way, it’s very glam.
What was your reaction to the news you’d be playing the FSN final?
Faye: It was super exciting. I had to listen to the podcast twice just to believe it.
Daryl: I was working at a call centre when I got the news, so I had to sneak out and punch the air in private. I got a wave of texts from friends and family telling us the news, and I was both overwhelmed and relieved. I do believe I had a few tears in my eyes.
What can the Rock City crowd expect from your performance?
Daryl: Bright colours, extravagance, special treats, sudden rushes of endorphins and massive choruses. The very definition of Splendour.
Why did you enter FSN?
Daryl: When we first started the band last summer, we joked with each other that we’d be playing Rock City within a year. I imagined playing the basement, but FSN turned out to be our ticket to the main stage. We’d just got our song Legendary Force back from our producer when entries for FSN 2017 opened up, so we sent it in and then next thing we knew, we were semi-finalists.
Faye: It’s an opportunity we just couldn't afford to pass on. It's opened so many doors, particularly with promoting. The chance to play Rock City is unbelievable, let alone Splendour.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
Daryl: We all have a wide variety of musical influences, the obvious ones being Kiss, The Darkness and Queen. But we all have our own special favourites. River, our guitarist, absolutely loves Alter Bridge. Our bassist, Biscuit, is a massive Motley Crue fan, as well as pop punk like All Time Low and Twenty One Pilots. We both love a bit of N-Dubz. I joke that N-Dubz is like the musical equivalent of Eastenders.
I like Beyonce, Grimes and Lady Gaga-pop, classic hip hop from the likes of a Tribe Called Quest. I like a lot of metal and hardcore; bands such as Code Orange, Every Time I Die and Meshuggah. Metronomy made one of the best albums ever with The English Riviera. I also like Musical Theatre, such as Avenue Q and Blood Brothers.
Faye: I'm a big fan of Guns N Roses and Biffy Clyro but being in a glam band, I've found myself listening to a lot more of The Darkness.
What Nottingham artists are you loving at the minute?
Daryl: Witch Tripper are a fantastic groove-metal three-piece. Desensitised are one of the hardest working bands on the scene, watch out for them. Putin and The Dolphin are the real deal. George Gadd and Little Bribes are brilliant. Seas of Mirth are just legendary. And I recently saw One Giant Causeway and had a great time.
What are your biggest non-musical influences?
Daryl: Chikaro Pro Wrestling is massively influential to me. I’m currently into Pete Holmes’ stand up comedy. There are some incredible video games such as Samorost 3 and Lumino City which are truly special. Everybody in the band loves video games; River loves Zelda and Sonic, Biscuit loves Gears of War and Faye loves Skyrim.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
Faye: We've been around the city centre in costume a few times recently and the response from people has been amazing. Some people don't really get it, but the people that do seem really excited to see us and have had some really nice things to say when they've heard our tracks.
Daryl: Accidentally punching Biscuit on stage during a gig in St Helens; eating Cornish pasties in St Helens; reading crude wishes on a ‘things to do before I die wall’ in St Helens. Basically, anything we did in St Helens.
Any last words for LeftLion?
Daryl: We entered FSN to get a spot at Rock City and of course, the opportunity to play Splendour is a big deal. But as a result of entering the competition, we have had more opportunities for gigs, growth and exposure. And we’ve made a ton of new friends whilst campaigning for votes.
We played our first ever acoustic set as a result of the competition, so I honestly mean it when I say that Nusic and the FSN competition has brought out the best in us. And it highlights the incredible talent and musical community in Nottingham. So, to Nusic, LeftLion and all those who voted for us, a heartfelt thank you from The DandyLions.
The Future Sound of Nottingham final takes place at Rock City, Sunday 7 May, free.
Future Sound of Nottingham 2017 Final Facebook Event
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