The Regrettes. Photo: Jen Rosenstein
The punk rock world is an entire family comprised of very different people all playing music with an underlying purpose of not only expressing oneself, but coming together and uniting through music, away from all of the bullshit that the world has to offer. While they label themselves on their band profiles as "garage pop", I'd heavily dispute anyone that says The Regrettes don't have some hints of punk rock in their DNA, based on the music I've heard from them thus far. The Regrettes is one of the newest additions to this family I speak of, and San Francisco will get to experience their live show tomorrow, July 15 at Bottom of the Hill. I had a moment to chat with the band prior to their show to talk about their track "A Living Human Girl", what fans can expect both at the show and musically, and more.
What did you set out to accomplish conceptually and musically with "A Living Human Girl"?
Lydia: We wanted to provide a song for people to relate to and increase their sense of self love and feel more comfortable in their own skin.
About how long has the writing and recording process for your debut album taken, as a whole, and what are you setting out to accomplish as a band with this release, if that makes sense?
Lydia: We recorded the entire album in four weeks through an 8-track. The majority of the tracking was done live. This album acts as our introduction to the world stating who we are are and what we're about.
This is a rather basic question, but I can hear a few different influences throughout the punk spectrum in "A Living Human Girl". What are some of your biggest influences as musicians, and what played into your music while writing the album?
Lydia: I'm heavenly influenced by 50's rock and 60's girl groups. I love Buddy Holly, Patsy Cline, The Ronettes and many more. I also love Kate Nash, Courtney Barnett, Twin Peaks, and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs a lot right now. All of these bands really influenced me during the writing process of the album.
Maxx: My influences are FOALS for sure, Radiohead, King Krule, The Districts, and Phantogram.
Genessa: I love David Bowie and Neil Young. Those are my top two influences.
Sage: Freddie Mercury and Stevie Nicks!!!!
You'll be playing in San Francisco on Friday, July 15 at Bottom of the Hill. Even though you are considered a newer band at this point in time, what do you think sets you apart from other artists with your live show?
Sage: We all just genuinely have a wonderful time together especially playing live and that really translates during our shows.
These are the last two questions I ask to close out an interview with an artist. They're broad, so just a head's up. First: what kind of message, if you have one, would you like fans to walk away with after listening to your music?
Genessa: We want everyone that listens to our music to walk away feeling inspired, powerful, and emotionally affected in some way or another.
Finally, what does music mean to you?
Sage: It's an emotional experience translated through sound.
Lydia: It means that I have a voice and platform to say whatever I want and whenever I want to. It's a great exchange of giving and taking with the people listening. It's rewarding all around.
Genessa: It's a way to convey a message that might otherwise be uncomfortable to talk about.
Maxx: It means that you can create something that can makes an impact on other people's life without even meeting them.
The Regrettes
www.facebook.com/regrettes
@regrettesband
This has been another Shameless Promotion.