02 September 2017

Fred Perry interview (2017)

Name?
Marnie.

Where are you from?
Glasgow, Scotland.

What do you do?
Singer/Songwriter.

Describe your style in three words?
Prudish with ruffles.

You can make a record with anyone from history who would it be and why?
Michael Jackson, because I was somewhat obsessed and amazed by him. When I was a kid my next-door neighbours swore he was a robot. I kind of believed them.

What British music icons inspire your sound today?
My other band, Ladytron.

You can spend an hour with anyone from history?
I like divas, so this is a hard choice. But perhaps Maria Callas. She was opera's controversial star, unique in her singing style, beautiful, and scandalous. I reckon it would make for a good chat.

If you could share the bill with any British band in history?
I've been lucky enough to share bills with a lot of brilliant bands already, but probably Broadcast. Their record The Noise Made By People was a constant for me at university and their lead singer left this world far too soon.

What music did you listen to growing up?
I listened to pop and rock along the lines of Madonna, Guns N' Roses, Prince, and ABBA.

What was the first song you played on repeat?
"Joe Le Taxi" by Vanessa Paradis. I taped if off the chart show on the radio and used to prance around my room imagining I was a little French pixie like VP.

One record you would keep forever?
"Some Velvet Morning" by Nancy & Lee. I was introduced to this album towards the end of my university course, and I guess it was a game changer. I loved how the voices worked together.

A song from your favourite album?
"Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac. It's so easy to just lose yourself in this song and believe you're capable of anything.

A song you wish you had written?
"Video Games" by Lana Del Rey. It's so simple, it's brilliant.

A song that defines the teenage you?
"Slight Return" by The Bluetones. When I was 17 I discovered The Bluetones. When you find something yourself at that age, it feels like you own them. I got the bus from Aberfoyle in Stirling, to Paris with a friend, just to see them. It was my 18th birthday present.

What was the last piece of music you bought?
"Naive to the Bone" by Marie Davidson.

A song lyric that inspires you?
"We don't have to take our clothes off to have a good time." Jermaine Stewart.

Is there a song you like that people wouldn't expect?
I'm not sure what people expect really because the music I've made or been a part of has been quite diverse. "Maneater" by Nelly Furtado.

Best love song of all time?
"Tiny Dancer" by Elton John.

Best song to turn up loud?
"Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode.

Best song to bring people together?
"You Got the Love" by The Source & Candi Staton.

4 songs you can't stop listening to right now?
"Body" by Bossy Love
They are one of the best live bands in Glasgow right now and keep putting out tracks that are great fun.

"Familiar" by Agnes Obel
This song is beautiful and I was blissfully unaware that it was not a duet. Only later did I realise she has manipulated her own voice to create a deeper, male-like vocal.

"Stupid Face" by Haley Bonar
I've had on repeat in my car for months. I find Haley's voice so soothing against the indie guitar sound.

"Dust & Dirt" by HQFU
I happen to be friends with HQFU (Sarah J Stanley) and she also plays with my band, however, I am not biased. She makes brilliant electronic music and I love the juxtaposition of the music and her sad, soft, voice which sounds like Tracey Thorn's sister.

Source