Pawws

North Londoner Lucy Taylor makes music under the name Pawws, and is not to be confused with noisy Scottish grungers PAWS.

Influenced by 80s movies and synth music, Pawws’ music would work equally as well on the soundtrack to a John Hughes film as it would next to Scandinavian acts like Annie and Robyn on a 21st century perfect pop playlist.

We’ve only two tracks to work from so far, the single ‘Time To Say Goodbye’ and its B-side ‘Slow Love’, but that’s more than enough to make us fall in love with Taylor’s delightful pop charms. The former, a song about the sad ending of a relationship, is a slow burner but the latter is a thumping, addictive electro-pop tune. What else she’s got up her sleeve we’ve yet to discover, so her debut gig at London’s Birthday’s on 23 June is surely a must-attend show. We caught up with Lucy recently to find out more about Pawws.

First of all, where does the name Pawws come from? And is it a pain to pick a name and find there’s a band (Paws) with something so similar?

I’d love to say that it meant something profound, but really it just came from my love of cats! I sat in my room playing around with artwork ideas and lettering and loved the way the two “W”s looked together. Then after releasing my demos, a friend of mine who is a big fan of the band Paws (who I also really like now) told me there was already a Paws. I did considering changing the name, but after giving them a listen and realising that, we as artists, are quite different, I hope that there is room for both of us!

Have you always been musical? Do you come from a musical household or was there something that got you into making music?

I distinctly remember annoying everyone with my incessant need to sing in everyone’s faces as a 3 year old! I started learning the piano and flute at the age of 6 and completed all my grades while I was at school. I studied music all the way to University where I did a music degree. I was lucky enough that my parents always encouraged my sister and me to play an instrument. My dad is a keen guitarist and used to be in bands in the 60s so I’m sure that he has influenced me somewhat.

What music played as you grew up? And then as you got older what music did you get into, or inspired/inspires you?

My parents used to listen to a lot of music in the car. Artists like Fleetwood Mac, Randy Newman, Paul Simon and the Traveling Wilburys were big favourites. In my teens I was really into Blur and Radiohead and the whole Britpop era. I was in an orchestra in my teens so I was constantly exposed to a lot of classical, big band and jazz which I found incredibly inspirational at the time. These days, I find that the most inspirational things are the most simple and honest sounding. Lyrics which are vulnerable and open always mean more to me than anything over-thought, one of the reasons why people like Peter Gabriel and Randy Newman are two of my heroes.

You play the flute, but do you have a favourite instrument?

I love playing the flute so much – I find it one of the most therapeutic things to do. I love playing the piano too, but I am not a natural by any means – I had to practise very hard!

You’ve worked with Bloc Party/Kele and MGMT, how did that come about?

Kele and I met through mutual friends and we hit it off. I actually started giving him piano lessons and it transpired that he needed a keyboard player for his solo tour. I had already been playing keys for other bands and Kele asked me to join. I did that for a couple of years and it was one of the most fun jobs I ever had as all we did was laugh. I met the MGMT guys through their manager and when they found out I played flute they asked me to play it on ‘Electric Feel’ for a few of their shows which was a pretty cool experience.

Did those jobs come before you were in the position to be able to write and release your own music?

These things all happened before, I guess, I had the confidence to write and release my own music. I think I have always secretly wanted to write my own songs and did dabble in it previously, but after a few knock backs I kind of retreated. Touring with Kele gave me the confidence to start something again. He and Daniel Lindegren (who also played in Kele’s solo tour) were both so encouraging, it gave me the boost I needed.

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How does it feel being in control, or the focus of, this musical project, compared to what you’ve done in the past?

Pawws feels incredibly special to me. It has been a real climb and feels very exciting to finally be able to share the songs with people and know that they are songs I truly believe in and care about. I’ll always feel very privileged to have been able to be part of so many wonderful musical experiences with other people, playing in bands and touring, but there is something really amazing about creating your own music and having other people enjoying it. Being the main focus is slightly daunting, but the fact that I can be expressive is very liberating.

What influences Pawws, musically or otherwise?

I think a lot of it started from thinking back to old 80s movies that I loved as a child and that real sense of magic and hope they used to generate. I started playing around with similar synth sounds from that time, lots of bells and string pads which seem to generate a similar feeling, for me at least. That combined with honest lyrics which come from a lot of personal and friends’ experiences. I love the idea of just writing really strong pop songs that aren’t pretentious in any way. I’m trying quite hard to not pay attention to current trends and keep things true to myself, which can be tricky at times when you are constantly compared to others.

‘Slow Love’ seems to be about a long-term relationship that’s managed to keep going after the thrill of the first few months, does this come from experience? ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ seems to be a polar opposite, about the end of a relationship, are you interested in the contrasts and connections between beginnings and endings?

Well with ‘Slow Love’, it’s more a story of just trying to enjoy that initial stage of new love and not trying to push it or rush it in anyway. It comes from experience and also watching some of my friends and how sometimes we feel that need to know “where it’s going” that we forget to just enjoy it. On the other hand, with ‘Time To Say Goodbye’, I think that it is one of the saddest things when two people realise that a relationship is too broken to mend. There is always so much hope at the start of a new relationship and it is truly heartbreaking when it doesn’t turn out the way you had hoped, whether that’s with friendships or partners.

What inspired the ice skater artwork? Are you much of a skater?

I got in touch with my friend Danny Sangra who is an amazing artist and photographer and asked him if he would help me with some photos. I’d already seen some of his previous photos and knew he’d do something special. I wanted to do something quite filmic and mysterious due to the nature of themes in the songs and Danny suggested we try out shooting at the ice rink as it was something he’d wanted to try for ages. I love the way the photos came out, Danny totally got what I wanted. I am a terrible skater! It took all I had to not fall over.

You’ve been working with Daniel Lindegren, do you know him through Kele/Bloc Party? How is it collaborating with him?

I worked with Daniel when we were both touring with Kele. He’s a very talented songwriter and last year we thought we’d have a go at writing together in his studio. We wrote ‘Slow Love’ and kept going from there. He has been very supportive and a huge part of the development of this project. His knowledge of synths and production has really helped develop the overall “Pawws sound” and he has co-written a number of the songs. He totally gets what I am trying to do which is great.

Can we expect more collaboration on any more Pawws releases?

I would love to work with other people, as long as it is the right project and feels natural. There are a couple of things in the pipeline already, but I won’t say what yet as sometimes things don’t quite happen for one reason or another!

Are you looking forward to your first show this month? Nervous?

I am incredibly excited about the show. I’m trying to look at it as more of a celebration of the single and a bit of party, and then I feel less nervous haha! But yes I am nervous.

Do you have any favourite records of 2013 so far?

I love the Darkstar album that was released late last year; the production by Richard Formby is amazing. Jon Hopkins’ Immunity is incredible as well – I am yet to listen to it and not be in floods of tears by the end. Anything that Dev Hynes has done lately is always on my “most played” list on iTunes. I was a bit late to the party with Solange‘s ‘Losing You’, but bloody hell, what a perfect pop song. I have to admit that I am a bit useless with keeping up to date with current bands – I usually rely on recommendations by friends.

What’s next for Pawws in 2013?

Well after this initial show, I will be looking to start playing gigs more regularly and developing the live set up. I am thinking that I will do some sort of tour in Sept/October time. Also, I am looking to release my next single in the autumn. I am also going to lock myself away and do a lot more writing.