Go Violets

The Go Violets debut EP is at its final stages and will be ready in spring 2013. After ‘Teenager’ and ‘Josie’, the band have one more single off the EP due for release, which will come out in late August-early September. With some exciting people involved in the production side of the EP,the girls are very happy so far. Following this there is the prospect of a co-headline tour with a young and beautiful Aussie band in the next months, so until then they’re sitting pretty and waiting.

Tell us about the origins of Go Violets. How did you gals join forces to create the ‘Govies?

We’ve been friends for quite a while. We used to get together to write “pop hits” in Phoebe’s house before we were a band, then all of a sudden we were in dire need of a drummer and we found Ruby just really bored and wanting to play music. Then later on we found Harriette who was already playing bass in another band, and then the pop hits suddenly had substance.

Watching your clip for ‘Josie’ makes us want to hang out with you. What’s an average day like in the life of Go Violets?

Ah thanks! It was a fun day to shoot. These uni holidays we had more time to hang out too so it’s been pretty cool. We really just hang around each other’s houses and pat dogs and/or play pool, go out to gigs together, drink spiked homemade punch juice etc.

You’ve been racking up some serious air time on Triple J and 4zzz. Can you remember what it was like hearing yourselves on the radio for the first time?

I made my friend drive laps around the city until our song came on Triple J, then we danced in the car. But yeah it’s always a little surreal I guess, it’s kind of like listening to yourself on your computer but other people are listening with you. A lot of people that you don’t know! Which is awesome.

Your track ‘Teenager’ is even in an American Special K advert – how did that come about? (Also, do you like Special K?)

Yes Special K is really tasty. Well it literally hit us overnight that someone somewhere really wanted to use Teenager but they wanted it as an instrumental only, and so one of our producers had to turn over the new mix in a few hours. It was a do or die type of situation. You don’t mess with Kellogs. But anyway we won them over.

Besides big cereal companies, ‘Teenagers’ also caught the attention of NME who featured it on their site. Are you almost getting used to this kind of attention by now?

No. Not at all.

You’re playing at the all-ages 4 Walls festival on August 3. So, what was the first festival you went to, and how was it?

My first festival  was actually Sunset Sounds a few years ago (I was a late bloomer). It was really great, there was a totally sunny-Queenslander vibe going on and a bunch of my friends came along and I was wearing a swimsuit as a top. Yep. We all make mistakes.

If you could make your own festival, where would it be, who would you put on the lineup, how many people would you let in and what features would it have?

Cats? Are you crazy? Yeah ok. Maybe it would be themed after cartoons or movie bands or something and all the acts would have to dress in matching clothes. The main attraction would be Josie and the Pussycats of course (or a really good cover band that pretended to be them). Hot dogs would be free and plentiful and underage kids could come in for free if they sold 10 lemonades or 10 glasses of hot Milo. Which of course equals one ticket.  

‘Fess up – what was your first ever musical purchase?

Mine was Hanson’s Middle Of Nowhere. Total gem. I think my second CD after that was Savage Garden. And I didn’t even live in Brisbane! Other than that I would listen to whatever my older sister bought as well, which at the time revolved mainly around Oasis and The Cranberries.

What kind of bands/artists are you digging at the moment?

We all have such different music tastes, I’m only going to speak for myself. I like to sift through a lot of new releases when I have the time. Recently I have listened to a lot of American stuff like The Orwells, Parquet Courts, The Memories and Big Troubles. But I’m constantly on my “girl music” rampage so I’ve been listening to “girlie” stuff like Colleen Green, Beaches, Heavenly, The Courtneys, and this sassy band called The Shakin’ Babies.

How was working with Jeremy “Dreamy” Neale on the track ‘In Stranger Times’? He seems like a super intimidating guy.

If Jeremy was a sweet he would honey syrup. So loyal, sweet and good for you. If Jeremy was a puppy he would be a pug. Kooky and full of personality (also: a vegetarian). Jeremy is our bro. We’re lucky he likes us.

For those who haven’t experienced the cult-like experience that is your live show, what should they expect and how should they prepare themselves?

Prepare as least you can. Have no expectations! Expectations are bad. Come and listen to some live music, forget the rest!

And what’s up your sleeves for the rest of the year? When can we get our paws on your debut EP?

Soon, very soon! There are a lot of great people supporting us at this stage to make the EP release special and awesome. But you can expect some great art and some great music and some magic hits. Spring 2013. Save a buck.

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