Hotly-tipped north-west quartet Scarlet are currently on a UK tour and finish their run at The Lab Northampton on Saturday October 14th. New Boots speaks to them about alt-rock, feminism and getting to America.
New Boots: For the uninitiated could you let us know a bit of background about who are you as people and how you formed?
Jessie: We are SCARLET, an unsigned DIY band that sounds like if Nirvana, Blondie and The Pixies had a band baby. I’m Jessie, the singer and guitarist, Adam is guitar man, Jake is our drummer and we have a bassist called G.
Adam – We’re a bunch of northerners dotted around Manchester Liverpool and St Helens who are all obsessed with writing and performing live music. Me and Jessie got things going through out our time at Chester uni and eventually we got a band together who could all meet up and rehearse in Liverpool and we’ve kept our rehearsal space there ever since!
NB: How would you describe your sound? It’s pretty anthemic to our ears.
Jake: To me our sound is pretty unique. I feel like we’ve taken the late grunge, alt rock sound from the 90’s (think the Pixies) and really modernised it. We have that same energy and riff driven sound, but with an intelligence and level of sophistication that feels fresh and modern, not just a throwback.
NB: Jessie, you recently spoke out on the difficult experiences of being a female in the music business. Can you elaborate some more for those that didn’t see the article.
Yeah, I wrote a piece for Alternative Press magazine along with some other brilliant girls, about our experience in the music industry surrounding sexism. We literally spoke about the facts, things that have actually happened to us at shows and how we are treated in comparison to how men are treated. The comments on the article pretty much backed up what we were all talking about. Angry men calling us all kinds of names and pigeon-holing us into a criteria that they think fits a woman that has the nerve to talk about her experiences. I was shocked at the response to be fair. The reaction to the word ‘Feminist’ is often a defensive/aggressive one. “Feminist: the person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes” (Nicole Kidman said that). I never think of myself as different to the boys. I forget I have boobs most of the time. It would be great if
everyone could forget that I have bobs.
NB: What was the last album you bought on vinyl? What was the last thing you downloaded?
Adam: Last album I bought was DAMN by Kendrick Lamar (the GOD)
Jessie: The last album I bought…If were telling the truth on this one, it was Little Mix – haha – them girls can sing! I love how fun they are. But I’m into all kinds of music, the last vinyl album I bought was Enter Shikari’s new one on pre order
Jake: I’ve gotten quite into my vinyl purchases recently. The last albums I bought were Currents by Tame Impala and Skeleton Tree by Nick Cave. Last album I downloaded was More Life by Drake. I love hip hop.
NB: What are your main influences/interests outside the world of music?
Jessie – I’m an animal nerd. I think animals are amazing. I love watching films, I got so into Kick Ass 2 that I literally forgot to breathe and almost passed out, haha. Films draw me in massively, I throw all my emotions into films. I am also really into science… like, specifically the anatomy of the voice… I’ve only recently got into it and its the best thing to geek out over.
Jake – I love reading: I’m a big ol’ nerd when it comes to fantasy books and stuff. I think I’ve read Lord of the Rings about three times, so that gives you an idea! I also love quirky independent films and tend to like the low-budget, coming-of-age type stuff. My biggest soft spot is American comedy shows though, I can’t get enough. Shows like Rick and Morty, Archer, Brooklyn Nine Nine and Bojack Horseman are just brilliant.
NB: What can folk expect from your live show?
Jessie: Sweat… and uncontrollable mashing, haha!
Jake: Expect loads and loads of energy! Our live performances go down really well as we put our blood, sweat and tears into every song.
NB: There’s a lot of great new guitar music around. Who is your ‘tip for the top’?
Jake: There’s a great band who we played with in Blackpool called Seegulls, they’re really great and we loved playing with them.
Adam:- I tip Purple Merlin from Stockport to have a great year.
Jessie: Seegulls all the way, their live energy is something else. I have no idea how they aren’t massive yet. There’s a few incredible bands about right now: Occoeur, Witch Fever, and Seegulls are my faves.
NB: What is your burning desire for the band to do next? What plans do you have for 2018?
Jessie: I want to keep building a team around us. And I want to go to America and get on all the festivals next year. A handful isn’t enough, I want to do them ALL.
Jake: for me I want to get an EP or a single recorded. Promote that. The next year or so will be huge for this band. I can feel it. Something big is coming, I can feel it in my bones!
