The Crying Violets have become one of the most interesting, unique bands in Nottingham since forming in 2019 - but, despite playing at the likes of Splendour Festival and BBC Introducing, the highlight of the past few years for lead singer Katie Lyle undoubtedly has to be her time as LeftLion’s Music Editor. We chat to her about her passion for both producing and writing about music…
How have the first few years of The Crying Violets been for you?
So much fun! We started the band back in 2019 (which feels like five minutes ago) and ever since we have had the chance to play so many exciting shows and release music we have been really proud of. We have certainly grown a lot as a band. It started out with just a guitar, drums and vocals, and later we had Dan join us on bass, which brought an entirely new element and completed our sound. Originally performing solo, being in a band was always something I wanted to do but I was almost nervous at the prospect. Yet being in The Crying Violets has helped my confidence to flourish, and I feel like we have gotten to know our sound progressively as time has gone on.
What was it like playing at Splendour Festival this year?
It was amazing. It’s such a lovely festival and it was our first time attending it too. We had originally been on the lineup in 2021, which was obviously cancelled because of COVID, so it was great to finally have the chance to play as we had been so excited about it. We performed in the courtyard, which is a really cute stage, alongside so many amazing other fantastic local artists. Midnight Rodeo were so good and one of the standouts from the weekend!
What has been the highlight of the past year?
Getting to gig again. This year the music scene has felt so alive and we have been lucky to perform a lot throughout it, and also catch so many bands. It’s felt so good to be back enjoying festivals again!
We’re always looking at experimenting and seeing where it takes us. We have been playing around with heavier guitar tones, and taking influence from different artists, and I think we are going to continue to do that
What does the future have in store for the band?
More music, and hopefully a further progression in our sound. We’re always looking at experimenting and seeing where it takes us. We have been playing around with heavier guitar tones, and taking influence from different artists, and I think we are going to continue to do that. We took a brief break over the last couple of months as our bass player Dan became a dad, but we are back and have an upcoming gig supporting the amazing Lime Garden at The Bodega on Monday 7 November, which we are really excited about - so come and catch us if you can, it’s going to be a good one!
How would you summarise your time as Music Editor for LeftLion?
It was just all about amazing local music. It has been so great to get to see the latest of the Nottingham music scene, listen to so many exciting genres and also have the chance to speak to so many top musicians. I think my highlight would definitely be getting to sit down and chat with Jason from Sleaford Mods in my first few weeks of working at the mag. That was definitely one of my favourite issues to be a part of.
Being in The Crying Violets has helped my confidence to flourish, and I feel like we have gotten to know our sound as time has gone on
What will you miss the most about being a LeftLion editor?
I’ll miss getting to be so involved with supporting local talents. My favourite thing about working at LeftLion has been the opportunity to listen to so many brilliant artists that have sent their music into the magazine, and also getting the opportunity to go to so many amazing local shows and be so involved with the scene, because Notts certainly is an exciting scene to be a part of.
Also all the amazing people on the team behind the magazine. Everyone works so hard to make it what it is, and makes it so fun in the process. I was lucky enough to join as Marketing and Editorial Assistant straight out of university, working closely with Adam [Pickering, Partnerships Manager], and then started doing the music editorial alongside that, and working at LeftLion has truly taught me so much and has been such a fantastic opportunity. So a huge thanks to everyone for allowing me to be a part of it. But I hope to still continue to contribute to the mag in the future, as it's something I love doing.
Check out The Crying Violets when they support Lime Garden at The Bodega on Monday 7 November
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