W: George Grey
In the week they dropped eye-catching new single ‘Same Old Story’, simultaneously announcing their new EP with Submarine Cat records, She’s In Parties also hit up Truck, lighting up The Nest stage with brilliant energy.
It’s that same energy that seems to be giving the group such momentum at the moment in fact, with festival appearances also at Tramlines, Y Not, Victorious and Reeperbahn, all lined up for a jam-packed summer. Luckily amongst all that we managed to squeeze in a quick interview with the band.
The band’s buzz of energy and sharp style was instantly recognisable, a mix of nostalgia and playfulness, with witty suits and Lionesses pride, primed and ready for the afternoon.
After a late arrival the night before, it’d been a quick turnaround for the group, but having managed to catch Kasanian and The Last Dinner Party, they were primed to get into the swing of things. It was looking like a big day to end what had been a big week for the band, no surprise then they were feeling a little tired. “We’re so excited, very excited but a bit exhausted too”, joking as their set neared just an hour or two away.
It’s a life they may have to come accustomed to though, with their indie take on classic shoegaze, with high production quality and rich vocals, gaining steady momentum already. So, as I listened to some of their tracks in my early morning prep I couldn’t help but wonder how they aimed to further carve out this sound, and gain an identity separate from the crowd.
“Do you know what it’s a process”, they responded, taking the time to consider the question. “We’re trying to get more collaborative - it helps us progress as musicians ourselves”, an approach that’s led them to working with the likes of Lewis from Bleach Lab.
A collaboration that really brought out the dirtiness you hear on The Same Old Story, “he really messes with our sound, and just took it to the max”. Despite this dirtiness expect a little variety on the upcoming EP though, “none of it sounds like each other”, they laugh, but it’s a sign of the richness of the band’s sound.
They divulge it’s a product of their unique writing style. After vocals, Kate, moved to London, the band found themselves spread out, but that didn’t stop them. “We weren’t seeing each other as much as before, so we changed the way we write”, explaining how they each individually write and develop ideas before tabling and developing them together.
The result is an eclectic sound, one that seems to weave stories and grow track to track. The move to London had further benefits for Kate too, “a breath of fresh air”, in her own words, as a small town background was replaced by immersion in the culture capital. It’s that sense of getting away that they more widely hope to communicate in their music too.
As the band put it, their music offers, “escapism, not too much but enough, like a night when you put music on and get lost in it or main character vibes walking down the street”. There’s not much more attractive to a listener than a soundtrack that allows you to imagine yourself in your own world, and She’s in Parties clearly put this first.
Back to their Truck show though, and talks of a small bit of choreography emerge amongst the jumping around planned, some in favour some against, but all in favour of crowd interaction. It’s something they do well, and with further festival appearances at Y Not! Reading and Victorious they’ll have plenty of time to show it off.
If you can’t make any of those it may be a wait for the next show, “chances are you’ll find out
before we do, guess you’ll have to sign up the mailer”, a convincing sell. So as we dive back into the Truck party we have to ask who they’re looking forward to, “can’t wait for Lime Garden, Home Counties and The Lionesses’ winning the final!”. They say three’s the magic number, and after all three of the predictions smashed their performances, you’d have to say there’s something special about She’s in Parties.