For those who may be new to your music, how best would you describe your sound?
Pip Blom
I struggle a lot with describing music, but I think I would say: Lo-Fi Indie Pop.
What challenges have you faced in the music industry so far?
I've struggled finding a band but luckily I found them in the end. However, something I still struggle with is making my songs sound as good as possible. The production standards in the music industry are very high and I record and mix everything myself at my little studio at home. So I find it very hard to make my songs sound like they're recorded in a real, professional studio. Some of the feedback I get is about my production, so I know I've got to work on it.
How difficult would you say this career path is in terms of making a name for yourself?
I would say it's extremely difficult. First of all you need to make good songs, which is a difficult thing to do on its own. And then second of all, you need to compete with millions of others that make good songs, too. I think in order to make a name for yourself, you need to try to do something which isn't done a thousand times before. But that's a lot easier said than done of course. I the end, it's about standing out and finding a way to do that, without losing yourself and what you want to make.
How important is it for you to have creative control over the work you produce?
It's very important. I'm always open for suggestions, advice and all that kind of stuff, but in the end I want to be able to say stuff like, 'I want the guitar to sound different', for example. I think it's all about making things that you like yourself, and in order to make that happen you need to have control over the songs.
Where do you draw influence and inspiration from for your work?
Day-to-day life, documentaries and of course, other music. If I start making a song, I usually watch a documentary and start playing things on my guitar. When I find something I really like, I pause the documentary and start recording - I rarely see the end of a documentary!
If you could collaborate with anybody going forward, who would you choose and why?
Kim Deal or Damon Albarn - I'm in love with both of their voices and admire the originality of their songs. I'm not sure though if it would be a great collaboration, because I think it's quite difficult to act normal and very relaxed next to your all-time heroes. I struggle to sing in front of my parents, let alone Kim Deal and Damon Albarn.
Tell us a random, funny fact about you that not many people know.
It's a short story… I joined a street dance class when I was eight, because all of my friends loved dancing and they decided to follow lessons. I was, and still am, very bad at sports, but I wanted to be with my friends so I joined too. The lessons were fun, and I quite liked it, but at one point in time we needed to improvise. I hated, and still do, improvising more than anything. And in this case you had to stand in front of the entire class and improvise a dance routine for about 30 seconds. At first, I just wanted to refuse, but I didn't want to look like a d**k. So, instead of refusing I faked an injury (bruised ankle), and I spent the entire lesson with an icepack on my perfectly fine ankle.
Do you have definitive aims or goals for your career?
Yes I do. I've got quite a few. First of all, I want to go on tour in Japan, America and the UK. I want to play Glastonbury and SXSW and last but not least, it would be amazing if I could get signed by an English or American label such as Matador, Rough Trade, Domino or Heavenly. Of course I know all these goals are difficult to achieve, but I think it's important to dream big. Needless to say, it's extremely important to try and have as much fun as possible whilst trying to achieve your goals. I didn't start making music for money, I did it because it is the thing I love doing the most.
Where do you hope to be this time next year?
This time next year I want to release my debut album - it would be great if there is a label that would produce it. But if that's not the case, I'm going to release it myself.
What should we expect from you in the coming weeks and months?
My EP 'Are We There Yet' is coming out on September 28 and we're coming to England to play a few shows! You can see us [at the following dates]:
- September 28 - Liverpool at Maguire's Pizza Place
- September 29 - London at New Cross Inn
- September 30 - Norwich at The Owl's Sanctuary