Baby Queens… Future royalty

Showcase: Baby Queens

Published on November 29th, 2013 | Jonny Abrams

We dug Baby Queens’ debut single “Red Light”, describing it in the following terms in a recent singles round-up:

“Gorgeous harmonies adorn this sultry little number, dripping with soulful special sauce and the innate togetherness of the various vocal styles.”

This week saw the release of their Cian Ciarán-produced new EP Life Goes By, so we fired some questions over to Baby Queens – namely Cara, Estelle, Monique, Ruth and Vanity – and received back the following, illuminating set of replies.

First, though, check out the new tunes…

How would you describe your music, if pushed?

Upside down nonconformist punklepop.

Where are you based, and what do you use to record with?

Cardiff. We record everything at Strangetown Studios but while writing or rehearsing we’ll document stuff on the phone or anything that’s to hand.

Are you signed to a label? If so, how did you come to their attention?

Strangetown is our home at the moment. They are a Cardiff-based label that share our outlook on music, they’ll listen and release anything and are not confined to any one style, something we think our music also reflects.

Is there a full album in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it? (Feel free to be as abstract as you like…)

There is. We have so much material that we can’t wait to get into the studio. It’s something we enjoy, the whole process, seeing your ideas develop and hearing the end product, listening to the fruits of your labour. The material itself keeps evolving from session to session. It’s an organic way of working or writing: we stick to the core of the song but new things grow out of it when we’re in the same room together.

Where can we hear your music online?

The usual places. STR obviously stream our releases before anywhere else via SoundCloud, Twitter links etc.

Which have been your most exciting gigs and/or overall moments so far?

I think each show we do now adds a new dimension to our music. It helps you realise what you want to do and how to go about it. Nothing compares to a live reaction. The fact that we have got it together and are finally releasing our music, getting it out there, only motivates us more.

Got any more coming up? (Gigs, that is…)

Yes, one in London on December 20th and a new year’s eve show at Chapter in Cardiff. We’re using most of the time left this year to finish writing the album and possibly an EP to precede it.

Are there any obscure and/or up-and-coming acts that you’d like to recommend or give a shout-out to?

Shout out to Marcus Jakes, a multi-talented producer from Cardiff (catch his remix of “Red Light” on our first EP). Rufio Summers is another quirky up-and-coming artist. Etta Bond for representing real UK talent. And, last but by no means least, When Worlds Collide, another great band representing Cardiff.

Finally, if you were forced to spend the rest of your days in solitary confinement, but were allowed to bring the entire works of five different artists along to tide you over, whose would you choose?

We would have to take Ja Cure, because his music is inspiring and perfect for meditation (something we would definitely need in solitary confinement lol). Etta Bond just because she’s an old time favourite, love her timeless sound and the raw emotion in her music.

Janelle Monáe, she’s so creative, her album takes me to another planet. Frank Ocean because his music is simply beautiful and deep on so many different levels. And Kid Cudi, because…ahhh, he’s just sick!

Baby Queens, thank you.

Baby Queens’ Life Goes By EP is out now on Strangetown Records.

Baby Queens - Life Goes By EP

Artists: baby queens

About the Author

Jonny Abrams Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.