Introducing Interview: Alien Chicks

Having been massive fans of Alien Chicks since first hearing funk-fuelled single ’27 Stitches’ last summer, our love of the South London trio has continued to grow since having them blow us away playing live for us at Shacklewell Arms in December, and they have continued to showcase their unique creativity and unrelenting energy with each new release.

Now, fresh from selling out a headline show at The Lexington – with acclaim from the likes of BBC 6Music’s Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson – and with frenzied new single ‘Candlestick Maker‘ out now, we decided to catch up with Alien Chicks to find out more…

Hi Alien Chicks! Welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourselves, and how you started making music together?
We are a Brixton based post punk trio. I’m Stefan – I play bass and sing. I’m Josef I play guitar and sing. I’m Martha – I play drums. Stef and Josef met in tap class, and then we started playing guitar together when we were about 17. We moved to Brixton to try pursuing music and met Martha in a practice room in Peckham.

We love your frenzied funk-fuelled sounds , but who would you say are your main musical influences?
We are really into a range of stuff, from black midi to Abba, and I think this comes through in our songs. There’s also a lot of rap influence in the vocals – Josef is really into rappers like Ocean wisdom and Denzel Curry.

You’ve recently released your new single ‘Candlestick Maker’, which is very exciting! Are you able to tell us a bit about it? And how would you say it differs from your previous releases?
‘Candlestick Maker’ is a fun song with some pretty dark themes. I think it’s different to our other stuff because it’s more dancey!

You’ve just headlined an epic sold out show at The Lexington – a fantastic night (and the biggest mosh pit I’ve seen for a while)! How was that for you? And, for those who missed it, what can fans expect from your live shows?
The Lexington was incredible! We expected it to be great, but it blew away out expectations! The crowd were wild from start to finish and it really felt like a momentous occasion – one we have been working towards since we started a band. Fans can expect high energy, erratic songs and an atmosphere like no other!

Is there a particular live show you’ve played that stands out as a highlight?
The Lexington defo stands out – it was awesome! The Windmill gigs in general are also always amazing, full of energy and excitement!

And, when out on tour, are there any particular essentials that you like to take with you to keep you going when away from home? 
Idiocy, Martha’s laptop so she can “work”, game… and Josef’s bandana. 

How do you feel the industry is for new artists at the moment? And do you feel much has changed over the last few years in its treatment of female and queer/LGBTQ+  artists? 
I feel like there’s more representation of oppressed genders and minority groups, but there’s definitely still more work to be done. We think Get In Her Ears is a great movement and really helps to promote marginalised and underrepresented groups.

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any other upcoming bands you’re loving right now that you’d recommend we check out?
House Arrest, Man/Woman/Chainsaw…

Finally, what does the rest of 2023 have in store for Alien Chicks?
We will hopefully be releasing an EP, and will be playing in The Hundred Club in November! COME ON DOWN!!!

Massive thanks to Alien Chicks for answering our questions! Watch the new video for ‘Candlestick Maker’ now:

‘Candlestick Maker’ is out now via Hideous Mink Records. Catch them live at The 100 Club on 2nd November – tickets here.

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LIVE: Ailbhe Reddy – Moth Club, London 18.04.23

“I’m a one trick pony” joked Ailbhe Reddy to her attentive crowd at Hackney’s Moth Club last week. Referring to the similar content of the songs that make up her latest album, Endless Affair – “this one’s about being hungover” – Reddy’s self deprecating remarks and tender, clear vocals charmed her listeners at the East London venue.

Opening her set with bittersweet anthem ‘Between Your Teeth’, which is taken from her debut album Personal History, Reddy was backed by a full band for the majority of her show. Pausing briefly between songs to share personal anecdotes, including her memory of the disastrous last time she played piano live – “I covered a little song called ‘Imagine’, don’t know if you’ve heard of it? It didn’t go well” – Reddy’s headline performance made up for her past mistakes.

With a setlist full of tracks from her second album Endless Affair, Reddy delivered great renditions of ‘Inhaling’, ‘Shoulderblades’, ‘Last To Leave’ and the hugely relatable ‘Shitshow’, on which she scrutinizes her drunken reflection. On record, Reddy’s poetic, vulnerable lyrics are balanced alongside her wry humour, and this translated well in a live setting too. Whether Reddy was learning to “take love where it’s planted” on the beautifully sincere ‘Bloom’, trying to get under and ex’s skin on ‘ILYW’ (‘I’m Losing You’re Winning’), or simply owning up to being ‘A Mess’, she managed to retain these key elements of her craft under the spotlight.

Songs from her debut album, Personal History, also made the cut, including ‘Looking Happy’ and the title track, on which Reddy passionately repeated the lyric “I don’t want to go on dates / and hear personal history / I don’t want to share my own / unless it’s you listening”, which proved to be a real highlight of the set.

Whilst Reddy clearly relished playing with a full band behind her, there were moments when the collective volume of the instruments overpowered her vocal. This was atoned for at the end of the set, when she played her final three songs solo. Closing the night with the emotive ‘Pray For Me’, which was dedicated to her late Grandmother, Reddy’s crowd listened intently as she shared stories about the “wordless promises” she made to her relative in the latter stages of her life. It was a poignant and powerful note to end the set on, and one which will ensure fans keep coming back to see Reddy play live again.

Follow Ailbhe Reddy on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo credit: Niamh Barry

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: The Ethical Debating Society – ‘Mutual Indecision’

Writing bubblegum pop melodies before tearing them apart with riot grrrl moxie, The Ethical Debating Society’s (TEDS) DIY punk attitude and multi-faceted lo-fi sound has been preserved on their latest six track extended play, Mutual Indecision; a collection of previously unreleased songs recorded at Sound Savers – Mark Jasper’s Hackney warehouse studio.

Produced by Jasper (Witching Waves), mastered by Dai Jones, and released by Radical Possibilities, the Mutual Indecision EP features vocalist/guitarist Tegan Christmas, vocalist/guitarist Kris Martin, and drummer Eli Tupa obliterating rough DIY indie with cathartic and justified rage! Opening with pop-punk anthem ‘Poor Liam‘, the three-piece examine the “alright-jack-shit generation” under the microscope; the “petri-dish for patriarchy”. “You have, and you are, a tool / That’s so fucking precious…”

‘Emoticon‘ – another whiplash-inducing headbanger – disturbs with distorted chaos, Tegan and Kris harmonising over obnoxious guitar riffs, frustrated with social change. Kicking over her drum kit and strapping on her guitar, Eli shreds lo-fi sludge on ‘Prawn Operation‘; screaming Spanish lyrical angst against male entitlement, before switching back to percussion for the punishing ‘Paywall’ – life as commodity: “Buy, buy, or bye bye.”

‘Pantomine‘ follows with equally irresistible visceral lyricism; challenging alpha male bullshit as abrasive riffs strain under the ferocity of raw instrumentation. Closing with ‘London Particular‘, the London-based trio implore you to look around: your estate regenerated and community lost… “…the fog clears and your heritage has gone. Now all the flats and all the shops ask you for money you haven’t got.”

Following their 2015 debut LP, New Sense, and in anticipation of their long-awaited sophomore record, Mutual Indecision delivers equally spontaneous scuzz, sounding as if TEDS got together in the studio, hit record on analog, and jammed unapologetically through the feedback – an imperfect punk record that is chaotically perfect.

mutual indecision e.p. by the ethical debating society

Catch The Ethical Debating Society playing live for us next month, on 19th May at Shacklewell Arms, supporting Hypsoline with Rom Coms. Tickets here!

Ken Wynne
@ken_wynne

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Get In Her Ears Live @ Shacklewell Arms w/ A Void, 13.04.2023

On Thursday, we were back at Shacklewell Arms with a truly immense line-up! Huge massive thanks to headliners A Void, as well as Collars and Banshi for being amazing! Thanks too to Sofia on sound, and to everyone who came down to support the bands, dance the night away, and help us raise £100 for Rainbow Migration, who do vital work to support LGBTQI+ folk seeking asylum.

Kicking the night off, Cardiff band Banshi treat us to their swirling rock anthems, each delivered with a unique sparkling energy as front person Yasmin’s incredible vocals soar alongside catchy funk-fuelled hooks.

Next up, Cambridgeshire duo Collars offer an utterly unique live experience. As Kane simultaneously pummels the drums whilst blasting out whirring hooks on guitar, Dan exudes a captivating charisma as the soaring power of their vocals fills the venue with a fierce, dazzling energy.

Headliners A Void fill the venue with their immense, grunge-fuelled anthems. Oozing a frenzied visceral energy, they treat the bouncing crowd to 45 minutes of wonderfully raging offerings as Camille Alexander’s raw, sultry vocals blast out with a captivating allure.


Massive thanks to the three amazing bands who played for us on Thursday and to everyone who came out to support them and us! We’ll be back at Shacklewell Arms on 19th May with Brighton band Hypsoline, plus support from The Ethical Debating Society and Rom Coms – nab tickets here!

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto

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