We grabbed a few words with Pretty Babs ahead of the Future Sound of Nottingham final at Rock City on Monday 1 July...
How would you describe your music?
In-your-face hairy rock.
What was your reaction to the news you’d be playing the FSN final?
We were over the moon, naturally. To see the amount of support from fans who voted us, and then to actually go and win the semi-finals was definitely a milestone moment.
What can the City crowd expect from your performance?
We've got a nice “to-the-point” set; no nonsense rock and energy. Although, we're planning on slowing things down a little and getting the crowd involved. It'll be our biggest gig to date, so we're looking forward to “milking it” somewhat.
Why did you enter FSN?
The opportunities it creates is brilliant. To play Rock City main stage is at the top of every Nottinghamshire band's to-do list; to be given the chance to actually make that possible is one you can't let slip. We're not really thinking about what comes next, nor are we treating the gig as a “final” of any sorts. We just wanna smash Rock City and take it all in.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
It varies from one band member to the next. We admire a lot of genres and bands… Mark Knopfler, Kings of Leon, and Arctic Monkeys, to name a few.
To see the amount of support from fans who voted us, and then to actually go and win the semi-finals was definitely a milestone moment.
What Nottingham artists are you loving at the minute?
Our drummer is in Star Botherers, who are just great fun. They hail from the The Black Market in Warsop, which is kind of our musical home, so we follow and appreciate a lot of bands from that way north of the area, particularly Botherers. We’re really good mates with Spud; the best troubadour in the Nottingham area. He’s got real songs, real stories and a very real personality. Finally, we've got a lot of love for The Fine Art Society. We first caught them at The Angel in Nottingham at a mutual gig, and they've been a lot of help and really supportive of us since then.
What are your biggest non-musical influences?
We're quite a small-town band, and men of simple pleasures. Darts, drinks, football, and occasional Wednesday-night Salsa dancing.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
Well hopefully it's gonna be the 1st of July! I think self-releasing our debut album Graffiti Lights (which you can find on Spotify) was a highlight. We were only a three-piece at the time and it was very DIY (with a lot of help from Mr. Phil Taylor). We're still proud of those ten tracks and releasing it to a packed-out crowd at our album launch as a four-piece was special.
Any last words for LeftLion?
Thanks for the support and see you all at City! Bring yer mams!
Nusic’s Future Sound of Nottingham takes place at Rock City on Sunday 1 July, free entry
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