We featured Young States, or at least one of their videos, a couple of years ago. Good things come to those that wait and they’ve recently followed up their 2015 release with some new material. One song, “Over It By Now”, is already out and a full EP, Past Truths | Present Lies, is out on September 29th.
On the run-up to release, guitarist Amy took the time to answer our Band of the Day questions…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We are all originally from Norwich or close-by towns.
How did you meet?
We met at a local music college. I always wanted to start an all-girl band having listened to The Runaways when I was in my early teens. I noticed Molly, our drummer, wandering around with drums sticks and Georgia singing and with a bass, Libby was a friend of Molly’s who joined when we needed a second guitarist and we have been stuck with each other ever since!
How long have you been playing as a band?
It’s bad to say I can’t remember the time has gone so quickly… must be at least two-and-a-bit years!
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
We really struggled with a band name for a long time. We all love the band Citizen, one of their early EP titles is Young States, we really liked the ring of it!
What are your influences?
I go through phases of liking different bands and genres. I love everything from Metallica to Kids In Glass Houses and even Disney movie soundtracks (lame I know). Inspiration-wise, I think Arcane Roots are a big inspiration to me, they are so technically challenging guitar-wise and very precise with their technique.
I also feel that my childhood friend is an inspiration to me. I first got in a band with him when I was 16 and he always saw me as another musician not just a girl which really pushed me to do what I love – as cheesy as that sounds!
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
This question for me is always so tough. Our music genre varies over time and I feel whoever leads in writing the song makes it sound slightly different. I think our uniqueness comes with Georgia’s voice. I feel she has an unusual sound which personally I like a lot.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Georgia writes almost all of the lyrics for our songs, however I am really glad that she has written about personal experiences to her and us. It’s normally whatever Georgia is feeling at that moment that she writes about.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
I love playing live, however I can’t remember how many gigs exactly there have been quite a few! To me the best part of a show is when you see someone you don’t know singing your lyrics back to you. That is an awesome feeling.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
I went to see Rise Against many years ago at UEA in Norwich. Stupidly I decided to run into a mosh pit full of grown men (I am 5’2″) and shortly after got elbowed hard in the face.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
I currently have a Gibson Les Paul Studio, I think it’s the 2016 edition. I play with a Boss ME70 multi effects pedal and an MXR distortion pedal. At the moment we are trialing a new in ear system we got which is really cool and we hope will tighten our set.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
We have just released a single called “Over It By Now” which is available on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and the likes. Our second EP called Past Lies | Present Truths is out 29th September!
What are your plans for the rest of 2017?
Mainly to gig and get ourselves out there around the UK and plug our EP.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
- Arcane Roots
- Young States
- Biffy Clyro
That would be intense!
From previous Band of the Day Pale People: What’s the longest you’ve gone without speaking to another band member on a road trip?
To be honest we get on quite well on the road. We spent ten days together in one cramped hotel room whilst recording our new EP and most of the time we were so shattered we couldn’t be bothered to argue!
From another BotD, Spylights: What do you do to stay inspired and creative during rough times?
With the band we have had some up and downs in the last year or so, but I think the main things that kept me going was when we released something new or wrote a new song, I would always get super over excited to hear / see something that we have come up with.
And from Volka: Would you rather have legs for arms or arms for legs?
Arms for legs definitely, I’d practically be a monkey.