This weekend (Saturday, 19th November), Upset has teamed up with Fluffer Records for one hell of a party: the fourth edition of all-dayer, Custard Thruster. Housed in an industrial unit in East London, over a dozen new bands will play all afternoon, from 1pm right through ’till 3am. There’s even a BBQ. London duo Nova Twins are on the bill, but before they lay waste to Bow Triangle Business Park, they take a break from customising their own clothes and ordering a take away to tell us what they’re about.
Hey Nova Twins, how has 2016 been for you guys so far?
Georgia: 2016 has been great, we released our first EP and got to do gigs abroad for the first time ever! I have many funny memories from this year.
Amy: It’s been an exciting year for us. Releasing our EP was definitely the best part of it!
How did it feel to get the EP out there? Did people ‘get’ it the way you’d hoped?
Georgia: Yeah we’ve had a great response to it, we worked hard to make something we’re proud of so it felt like a massive relief to have it finally released and to show people what we are about, and who we are.
Amy: It’s one of the best feelings. A lot of the industry like to pigeon hole music, to make sure it follows the rules of “the sound of this month”, or “what’s worked before will work again” just so people will ‘get’ it, but I miss hearing great bands on the radio! I say let music be heard for whatever it is to the listener. If you love and connect with our music, then that’s great, and to all the people that have been supporting us, we are so grateful. If it’s not your thing, then that’s also okay too. We are excited to exist in this crucial time. The music industry needs to see more female fronted bands, whilst there are many on the underground circuit there’s not enough reaching the mainstream, which is what a lot of young people hear and see first. I would love to see great bands cutting through again.
What first got you into making music, and what does being a musician mean to you?
Georgia: I was born into a musical family, my house is constantly alive with the sounds of someone playing music, so naturally that’s what I wanted to do too. Being a musician to me means being as creatively free as possible. I write riffs and create new sounds on my pedal board that excite me. Being a musician is a creative outlet, I feel liberated when we play our shows and that’s how I think being a musician should feel for everyone.
Amy: I enjoy being creative. Music is something that just feels natural to me. It means I get to do something I love every day and be a part of something that can mean so many different things to a lot of different people. I find people fascinating, that’s why I love performing so much, it’s just another way to connect.
What would you most like fans to take away from your music?
Georgia: We want people to feel united when they come to our gigs and to leave feeling empowered that they can do anything they want. I love it when people tell us that they’ve met new friends by coming to our gigs, I love that our music has brought people together that may not have crossed paths otherwise.
Amy: For sure! Our tunes definitely set the tone of empowerment, great workout music too… haha!
You’re playing the Custard Thruster all-dayer this weekend – are you looking forward to it? Are there any bands on the line up you’re especially keen to see?
Amy: Yes! Can’t wait to play there, you know it’s going to be a good gig just by the name, Custard Thruster has a devilish ring to it.
Georgia: Yeah I reckon it’s gonna be a pretty sweaty gig I’m looking forward to it! I’m not too familiar with the bands playing but no doubt it will be a sick night!
You’ve also a gig in France next month – has being in Nova Twins allowed you to travel much? What’s your favourite place you’ve visited?
Georgia: Yeah that should be sick, we played France not too long ago, it was our first ever gig abroad! We’re gigging at Trans Musicales in Rennes and also gigging in Paris which I’m excited about as I’ve never been to Paris before, hopefully we’ll have time to do some touristy things…
Amy: Yes, really excited to be playing Transmusicals in France. The first time we played there we were dripping with nervous sweat as it was our first time playing abroad. I am now looking forward to going back knowing that it’s a great place to perform.
What’s the best thing about being in Nova Twins right now?
Georgia: The best thing is that we do all the things we love to do – we write songs that we want to write, play cool shows and customise our clothes. The most exciting thing is that we can’t see two weeks ahead, we could be sewing a top in our bedroom one night, then asked to go to the moon the next week, it’s always an adventure.
Amy: We have this expression that we often say which is “I feel Nova” or on a shit day “I want to feel Nova” It’s about being at the top of your game, feeling good whatever that may mean to you and keeping a strong state of mind!
