Project Description

Interview with

MC

from

BLOODS

by Vicky Hebbs

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Bloods

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“As always with Bloods, it’s fuzzy, it’s fun and they just have some lightning energy” Declan Byrne (triple J)

“Feelings is lush” Stack Magazine

“it’s hard not to be pretty instantly smitten by lead vocalist MC’s razor-sharp sass, buzzing guitars and a good dose of reverb” The Music

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How did you get together and start making music? When did it become a serious concern?
We started making music together about ten years ago, but as Bloods about six years ago. We all use to play different instruments in another band and decided to swap it up and try new instruments when we started Bloods. We had to learn how to play so that we could write songs and play shows. Dirk booked us a show about six months after we formed the band and that was a serious motivator! We’ve not stopped being a band since then as a result.

What music did you listen to growing up? What artists inspired you and which do you still look to now for ideas?
I grew up listening to a lot of pop music, I loved Madonna and Janet Jackson in particular. Then I discovered grunge and it kind of diverted my taste in music. I learned how to play bass guitar when I was in year 9 and basically started an all girl band off the back of being in love with the album Frogstomp by Silverchair, Veruca Salt and Hole. I loved classic rock and roll bands like Kiss and Iggy and the Stooges as well as aussie music like You Am I, Jebs, Grinspoon, Bodyjar, Spiderbait. When I got a little older I discovered riot grrrl bands like Sleater-Kinney,  Bikini Kill, Gossip, Huggy Bear, Shoplifting and they really captured my imagination. I think I kind of fuse all these influences when I write for Bloods. I love the attitude of riot grrl bands, the scuzzyness of 90s Aussie bands and the hookiness of pop.

How was the production process on ‘Feelings’
We worked with three producers on this record, Liam Judson (Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever/Cloud Control) who did our first EP Golden Fang and Mike Morgan who is now in the band with us. We recorded everything here between Liam’s parents house in the Blue Mountains and Mike’s studio out in Leichhardt and then we sent it over to Shane Stoneback (Sleigh Bells/MIA/Fucked Up) in NYC to mix it. It was actually a great way to do it as Shane kind of brought a fresh perspective to the songs.

Can you share a song that you are especially proud of or keen for people to listen to? 
I think there are a lot of moments on this album that I’m proud of. We really pushed ourselves on it and I think it shows in the songwriting. I think if I had to pick one I would say Feelings, the title track. I wrote that song right at the last minute and it was the last song we recorded for the album.

If someone had never listened to Bloods before, what song of yours would you recommend if they could only listen to one?
I would probably say Back To You. That’s still my favourite Bloods song and I think it marries all the things I mentioned before re the influences.

What was it like working with Girls Rock! Sydney on a re-recording of your track ‘No Fun’
It was awesome! We pretty much opened up the song to the musicians at Girls Rock and asked them to come up with whatever they thought would work. Being in the studio with them was incredible! They were all so talented and for all of them, it was their first taste of recording in a studio. It was totally amazing.

You are playing a couple of shows in December. What can fans expect from a Bloods concert? 
A lot of good vibes and danceable tunes. They are Sweetie’s last shows with us, so the party will be very real.

If you could pick absolutely anyone to bring on tour with you, whom would you pick and why? (Dead or Alive)
We’ve been lucky enough to tick pretty much all our bucket list artists, but I would say probably Weezer. Would be amazing to tour with them.

Who are your major music inspirations today? 
Probably still the same as they’ve always been! I still love the women of the 90s and Iggy Pop as much as I always have.

What are your goals or plans for the next year or two?
We’re going back to the USA next year in March, so really excited to get back over there. We are sitting on a bunch of new music that we want to put out early in the new year and probably another release and more touring, both here and overseas.

Finally, this is a paragraph dedicated to some quick discovery. Really corny, but for the fans, can you tell me your favorite album, artist, movie, place, drink, meal and person (living or dead) and some brief reasons why? Answer some or all please?
Album – I can’t answer this one, but here are some that top the list
Violent Femmes – Self Titled
Dig Me Out – Sleater Kinney
Diorama – Silverchair
Eight Arms To Hold You – Veruca Salt
The Misseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill
Cntrl – Sza
Artist – Dalhi because I love how his brain worked and I wish I could live in his world.
Movie – T2 Judgment Day – best movie ever made in my opinion.
Place – My bedroom and Rome.
Drink – Coffee – I couldn’t live without it.
Meal – Pizza – it’s so versatile and always satisfying
Person – Penny because she’s a human I made.

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Bloods

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BLOODS

TOUR DATES

Fri 14 Dec – Old Bar, Melbourne
with Jarrow and Neighbourhood Youth

Sun 16 Dec – Y&O Sundays at North Gong Hotel, Wollongong – Free entry
with Jess Locke and Tuppaware Party

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Follow BLOODS
Facebook | 24Hundred | Twitter

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Bloods

The BLOODS Story

Since their inception, Bloods have maintained their place as one of the country’s most endearing bands. Whether it’s through their highly infectious, undeniably fun punk-pop-meets-riot-grrrl tunes or their live shows, Bloods has consistently been celebrated by critics and fans alike. Bursting onto the scene in 2013 with their critically acclaimed Golden Fang EP which was named PBS Feature Album, SYN Album of the Week and featured on Triple R’s Soundscapes.

Bloods had a massive 2015 following the release of their debut LP Work It Out (2014), which culminated in showcasing at SXSW, touring the US alongside fellow Aussies The Preatures, and naming themselves the first Aussie band to sign a publishing deal with Sub Pop Publishing. The release of Work It Out also saw the band share the stage around Australia with bands such as Sleater-Kinney, Wavves and Peaches. The album also received Album Of The Week on FBi Radio, and received 4 star reviews across The Music and The Brag/Beat Mag.

New music released sees the band working with producer Shane Stoneback (Sleigh Bells/M.I.A/Fucked Up). The first single, ‘Bring My Walls Down’ released off their upcoming sophomore album, Feelings has already received critical acclaim from Triple J, Rolling Stone, Blunt Magazine and Consequence of Sound.

Along with the new singles, Bloods inked a deal with Share It Music in 2018, a US-based record label. Headed up by Sub Pop Records’ Cayle Sharratt, Share It Music is operated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation, splitting proceeds between artists, their chosen charity, and the label. Bloods have chosen to support the Australian-based Indigenous Literacy Foundation through this campaign.

Taking on a much broader palette of influences ranging from shoe-gaze to 90s indie-dance, their 2018 sophomore album Feelings was recorded with producer and friend Liam Judson (‘Bliss Release’ Cloud Control/ ‘Hope Downs’ Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever) in the games room of Liam’s parents’ house in NSW’s Blue Mountains. The record sees Bloods embracing guitars like never before, which lead to the band enlisting a new addition and fourth Blood, Mike Morgan.

During the ‘Feelings’ campaign the band supported Veruca Salt, Alex Lahey and WAAX across their Australian tours, and supported Cloud Nothings and Rolling Blackouts Costal Fever in Sydney.

A band that continues to evolve, Feelings proves Bloods have come a very long way since learning to play their instruments to start the band.

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AMNPLIFY – DB