Redefining alternative music and inclusivity, GIRLBAND! are smashing preconceptions with every release and live performance. Michael Prince recently spoke to the band for LeftLion…
For those new to GIRLBAND, how would you describe yourselves, your music and your general band ethos?
We are an alternative rock all female three piece from Nottinghamshire. We have a big sound and big tunes with all the things we love about music in there. We love having a good time - really that’s a big part of what we do, just enjoyment. Three mates doing some great shows that we never thought we’d be doing! We want our music to connect with everyone and we definitely have an inclusive fan base that we love so much!
You’ve obviously got devoted home support here in Nottingham, that Rescue Rooms show earlier this year being a huge moment - how was that show for you?
Yeah it was incredible, a night we’ll remember. To be able to play a show like that in your home town is really special and the response just blew us away. It was just one big party!
All you have to do is go to Dot To Dot or Hockley Hustle to see how incredible this music scene is and how people turn up to support, too.
Do you feel your local communities support live music enough?
Yeah it’s the community that’s keeping it going. Since Covid and financial difficulties in Nottinghamshire a lot of venues have closed down so it’s really been up to communities to keep those grassroot venues going. The turnout for things like Hockley Hustle, Beat The Streets and even Pride are great examples of the community rallying together for music and local bands.
How do you feel about the corporate streaming imbalance of financial reward for musicians, especially at the grassroots level?
I mean there’s a massive imbalance. It’s tough for musicians unless you’re in that magical 1%. We all have full time jobs and I can’t remember a time I haven’t had to hustle and work on the side to keep home fires burning. Which is wild. The hours that go into music, songwriting, social media, touring and all the rest really doesn’t account for the money made. And I guess your mindset is, ‘Well I just have to keep going until we hit that road where we can quit our jobs’. I always say to people you’ve got to love this to keep going… If you have no love for music, have a rethink.
Who have you seen as newish bands that you think people should listen out for?
Well Nottingham is full of them! I was working at The Bodega for a bit so I saw so much new stuff that blew me away. Marvin’s Revenge are great and Bloodworm too; we’ve seen them a couple times! Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers are fun too. You’ve got exciting bands like Sex Toy Vending Machine and Soap Head. There’s a lot of great bands emerging. And young singer songwriters like Romy!
What do you think it is about Nottingham that has made it such a breeding ground for talented artists, particularly these last few years - is it partly that home support from music fans in the city?
Yeah the music fans have a big part to play here and all the local support from promoters, radio and press like yourselves. All you have to do is go to Dot To Dot or Hockley Hustle to see how incredible this music scene is and how people turn up to support, too.
With the potential for change in the country, what would you like to see personally, politically and socially?
Well where do we start?! Justice and peace for sure. I think that’s a priority. People with higher power actually doing something and speaking up against injustice and war and trying to make changes that don’t only benefit people socially but save lives. I mean the country is in a wild state. There has to be some change. Money put into places that need it, such as towns like Mansfield and cities like Nottingham, and the arts and culture. We need a lot of peace right now. I really think that’s a priority.
And for yourselves, now you have some serious momentum behind you, what are you aiming towards - a debut Album/EP release and a step up to Rock City?
We have an EP coming out at the end of this month that we are really excited to share. The EP feels like a piece of work that sums up the past two years and really tells the story of what we are about as a band! We’d love to do Rock City one day so it’s something we’ll keep working hard towards!
You are also midway through a stacked summer festival season… You supported the legendary Sting at Forest Live and have Y Not Festival coming up in August that has a really strong local line-up this year. What’s been the standout moment so far and which ones are you looking forward to playing?
Sting was pretty mind blowing. It was 10,000 people and Sting watched the whole set side of stage. We are massive Police fans so that was an unreal moment for us. Glastonbury too was special, there’s no place like that on earth so that was a pinnacle moment of the year so far. We’ve done the Montreux Jazz Festival. We have loads of great stuff coming up like supporting James, and Y Not Festival, so they should all be really great. We really are having the best time this summer so we just hope that continues and we can play these songs in front of more people.
GIRLBAND!: Currently spinning
These are the songs that have been on repeat for GIRLBAND! while on tour…
Never Be Anyone But You - Ricky Nelson
So Lonely - The Police
My Hometown - Bruce Springsteen
Crimson and Clover - Joan Jett
Good Luck Babe! - Chappell Roan
Aneurysm - Nirvana
GIRLBAND! released their debut EP, Heartbreak Town on 30 July (via Soul Kitchen/EMI North).
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