Peaness are heaps of fun, writing songs about relationship woes and wonky vegetables, and with a penchant for lemons. Their new EP ‘Are You Sure?’ is out now through Alcopop! Records. Jess (bass) Balla (guitar) and Rach (drums) introduce their band.
How did you guys meet, and then decide to form a band?
Jess: We all met while studying at University. Balla and I were in the same year taking the same course, and Rach also took the same course but was the year below us. We’ve been friends since 2010, and it wasn’t until we had all graduated that we decided to try and write some songs together. We used to practice in Rach’s bedroom (full kit and amps) but realised that wasn’t a very nice thing to do for our neighbours. Once we started practising and writing in a proper space, we thought we should give being a band a proper go.
Was it obvious from the off what Peaness was going to sound like?
Jess: Bits yeah. Balla and I have been singing together since we met, so we knew we wanted to have lots of melody and harmony in the vocal arrangements. I knew I wanted to have a dirty/fuzzy bass and we knew we were going to write pop songs rather than, say, metal songs or 15 min prog numbers. We had only written about six songs by the time we came to record the first EP, and four of those made it onto the EP, so I guess that speaks for itself.
Do you all have shared favourite bands?
Rach: Yes. We talk about bands and artists quite a bit. We all love The Beatles and also Biffy Clyro, oh and DFA 1979 (who we went to see twice together). To be honest, there’s loads of stuff we all like.
What do you most enjoy writing and singing about?
Balla: Themes of frustration and relationships are the backbone of most of our songs.
What themes do you cover on your new ‘Are You Sure?’ EP?
Jess: Frustration and relationships, hahaha. Okay so as an example, track five ‘Ugly Veg’ is about food waste (and general waste) and how it’s infuriating being stuck in a society that does very little to help with the growing problems of global warming and the destruction of our planet. On a lighter note ‘Skin Surfing’ is about sex.
When and where did you write and record it? Did you learn anything new while doing so?
Jess: We write songs in different ways and in different places. Some songs are created from scratch in a practice room, some are written almost complete by me, and some are written at Balla’s house during one of our “songwriting sessions”.
Rach: We record everything over in North Wales in a studio called Orange Sound in Penmaenmawr with our good buddy Russ. We came in fully prepared and did the EP in two days, and Russ always comments how organised we are and how easy it is for him when we go there!
Are you guys creative in non-musical ways, too?
Jess: I try to be creative with something every day, sounds kinda lame, but whatever. I post all the merch we sell and include personalised messages with stamps (I LOVE STAMPS!). I really enjoy getting crafty with ink and rubber and sharpies.
I also co-run a production company called Twin Moon here in Chester. We shoot music videos for bands, and we’re also starting live sessions this summer with local bands and artists. I made the ‘Seafoam Islands’ video, and my partner made the ‘Summer Song’ video. I also dye my hair (and Rach’s hair) a lot.
Rach: I’ve been planning to make a stop motion video for ‘Ugly Veg’ for ages, and the other day Jess and I spent the whole day round her place making it. We can’t wait to share it!
Do you have big plans for over the summer?
Balla: So many. We have quite a few festivals booked now, including Truck Festival and Indietracks. Obviously, the new EP is coming out, so we’ll have that to promote. Jess is going on holiday to Japan, and Rach is going to Thailand!
Peaness’ EP ‘Are You Sure? is out now.
