The trio Girlband! are Georgie, Jada and Kay, who came together after making music in other projects. During the pandemic, they “plugged into the wider community in Nottingham, one that inspired them with 80s culture, vintage fashion and massive dose of 90s nostalgia, Gwen Stefani and R&B groups.” With their debut EP Heartbreak Town set for release at the end of the month, it was a joy to find out more.
To begin how did Girlband! come together?
So we started playing music together in my front room in a little terrace house in Sneinton Nottingham. We just got such a great playing vibe from each other and quickly became a band really. So it was very organic. Then rehearsals would just turn to house parties and friends would come round as we rehearsed!
The debut EP Heartbreak Town is released at the end of the month. What are the main themes of the EP?
The main themes are really about being true to yourself. And growing up in places that may not allow you to be yourself. And also finding strength in that. The lyrics are important with all the singles we’ve released. From the empowerment of ‘21st Century Suffragette’ to the hometown nostalgia of ‘Heartbreak Town’. Then the live EP tracks really show what we love doing live so we are excited to share them!
What is the inspiration behind ‘Thelma and Louise‘? Is it the film?
So I wrote that song whilst at the tv and Thelma and Louise came on, which is one of my favourite films. I had my guitar on me and I’d had this riff for ages so I just wrote while watching the film. I guess that film shows freedom so well I think that’s why I feel connected to it and could write that song!
Girlband! songs are a thrilling mix of rock n roll, punk, indie, rock and a hint of country. The title track and latest single ‘Heartbreak Town‘ has a nod to country, beautifully showcasing Georgie’s vocals. Do you think the subject matter of the track lends itself to that vibe?
As a band we are inspired by so much music from The Clash and Nirvana to The Go-Go’s to Fleetwood Mac and Sam Fender! When I wrote ‘Heartbreak Town’ I was listening to a lot of old classic songs like country and Bruce Springsteen so I think that’s what inspired it really and I always think that kind of music lends well to a nostalgic, melancholy yet hopeful lyric which is really personal to me.
‘The Jam – Right On Time’ is a thrilling end to the EP, the guitars are let loose and the result is wild.
‘The Jam’ we just jammed one day and came up with that and turned up everything to full volume! The creative process I think just comes from playing together a lot and doing a lot of gigs. I wrote a lot of the songs at home first to see if they can just stand alone and that way I can always tell if it’s a good song or if I bin it. Then I take it to the others and we just play it all night till we are happy! Right on time was written in a tiny flat I was living in on a massive hangover from YNOT!
What are your plans for the rest of 2024?
We have the EP which we are excited about and we have a bunch of other tunes too, we are playing so many live shows at the minute so that’s what the rest of the year is looking like. We are so lucky to be heading to new places and having a fun time!
If I looked in your fridge right now what would I find?
Haha well we are fresh from Montreux Jazz festival so not much, probably some beers left over from Glastonbury, some butter, cheese and a tomato. Jada always has sea moss in her fridge, no matter what!
Heartbreak Town is set for release on 30 July via EMI North.
