Introducing: Curly Hair

Curly Hair are the latest group to appear from the never ending well of amazing talent that the Brighton based Willkommen Collective seem to spit out every month or so. See; The Leisure Society, Shoreline, Sons Of Noel & Adrian, Laish Quartet, The Miserable Rich… you get the picture. Regular readers will know we have a soft spot for Willkommen spawned bands and Curly Hair are no exception. Yes, they’re a ‘folk’ band – there’s no getting round that, but their ramshackle recordings; boy-girl vocals; use of thrift store keyboards and indeed an all round lo-fi pop ethic really do pull them apart from the more traditional folk kneelings of say, Sons of Noel & Adrian or Shoreline.

Their debut release, the rather fine Ivy League EP has been on regular rotation here at TLOBF Towers for some time and shows no sign in letting up. So impressed were we in fact, we even invited the trio to perform at our monthly club night at London’s The Social on 20th October, more details on that here. We’re not the only ones who’ve fallen for Curly Hair’s charms either, Steve Lamacq, Bethan Elfyn, Marc Riley and Gideon Coe are all firm fans of their beguiling melodies, oh yes.

Download the Ivy League EP‘s lead track ‘High Fives Low Lives’ and watch a suitably lo-fi video of the band performing ‘The Bush Song’ whilst busking in Berlin below.

For people out there that have never heard of you. Give us three reasons why they should…
(i) We’re very kind to animals and the elderly, and recently opened a 12 acre farm/shelter in Somerset where they can both run freely.
(ii) Our songs contain informative subliminal messages. When played backwards they offer various Curly Hair approved vegetarian savoury recipes.
(iii) We’re giving away our first single, ‘Blow The House Down’, for free. Everyone likes free stuff. Brilliant.

Can you recall the moment when you first decided you wanted to become a musician?
Benjamin: My dad bought my brother and I guitars for Christmas one year but for some reason I got an advanced classical guitar playing book to accompany it which was quite intimidating for a young boy of 7 who had never played an instrument before. Shortly after I chose early retirement from music but re-gained my enthusiasm a few years later when I realised that making music with nice people is among the best ways to pass your time. Far better than watching Coronation Street with your Mother.

Jessica: I remember when I had the urge to play guitar as it was only a few months ago (which is why Ben mostly plays guitar live). We were hanging around the Lanes in Brighton when there was a massive downpour so we ducked inside a second hand shop and in a corner I saw a beautiful 3/4 size guitar. I bought her, Ben named her Tiny and we started writing songs together as soon as we got home, carrying Tiny in a bin bag to keep her safe from the rain.

Where do your songs come from? What’s your inspiration?
We like the countryside, animals and failed loves. We’re pastoral pop.

Name your Top 5 records.
Jessica: At the moment..
The National – Alligator
Bjork – Debut
Herman Dune – Not On Top
Neutral Milk Hotel – In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Magnetic Fields – 69 Love Songs

Benjamin:
Shellac – At Action Park
The Beatles – Revolver
Charlottefield – How Long Are you Staying?
Fleetwood Mac – Greatest Hits
Crosby, Stills & Nash – Crosby, Stills & Nash

What was the first gig you ever played and was it a success?
Benjamin: It was a house party at Dan from 4 or 5 Magicians house. I don’t think we were planning on playing shows that early as we only had a handful of songs but Dan heard the recordings and asked us to play so it gave us the impetus to get a set together.

Jessica: My hands were shaking so much from nerves I could barely play at all. I think I more or less burst into tears just after and had to go to the loo 5 times in the 20 mins before we went on. Don’t worry though, I’ve got over myself since.

What one piece of criticism has stuck in your mind and was it justified?
Jessica: Your haircut makes you look like a lesbian. Yes.

Benjamin: Your trousers makes you look like a lesbian. Yes.

What one thing has caused you to waste your free time in the past 6 months?
Jessica: Cutting other people’s hair. I can’t resist if someone asks me.

Benjamin: I’m quite into chasing woodland animals around national parks.

If you weren’t making music, what do you think you’d be doing?
Jessica: Working on a ranch in Texas or a bean farm in Mexico, finishing my degree over the internet. Actually no, I like London too much. Bicycle courier maybe?

Benjamin: Maybe some kind of card shark like Paul Newman in the Hustler. Or a Sailor.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Jessica: Working in a bookshop; it fell so far short of my romantic ideal that it was horrible.

Benjamin: I worked in an ice factory making and transporting blocks of ice roughly the same size as a large bear. One day the guy I was working with slipped and the ice went through his steel toe-caps and crushed his foot so I decided to exit that job swiftly before my time came.

We’d like you to make us a mix-tape. Pick five tracks with a theme of your choice.
Curly Hair tour drive extravaganza mix vol.1:
1. Bran Van 3000 – Drinking In L.A
2. Akron Family – Ed Is A Portal
3. Babyskins – She Won’t
4. Dire Straits – Sultans of Swing
5. Girls – Lust for Life

mp3:> Curly Hair: ‘High Fives, Low Lives’