01Profile
A Girl Ray Photo
Girl Ray
Musicians — London
03Interview
Photo by Laura McCluskey
Name?
IM - Iris from Girl Ray.
SM - Sophie Moss.
PH - Poppy Hankin.
Where are you from?
London Town.
What do you do?
IM - Rock + Roll.
SM - Loathe myself and play bass in Girl Ray.
PH - Shred.
Describe your style in three words?
IM - Jack Purcell vibes.
SM - Plain, warm and borrowed.
PH - Black and stripes.
If you could make a record with anyone from history?
IM - Queen Elizabeth II.
SM - Robin Williams for the lyrics.
PH - ABBA because they nail every single song.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to and why?
IM - Recently saw The Oh Sees at Field Day and it was like being lifted from the dead multiple times.
SM - Thundercat at Glastonbury. Raw shreds. Stephen Bruner’s supple legs and swinging septum. Played a heart melting slowed version of 'Oh Sheit it’s X' at the end that set my vulva alight.
PH - I gotta be honest I saw HAIM the other night and I was like f*** this is insane! I want to be them so badly. Kept imagining me joining their band and them changing the name to ‘Haimkin’.
What British music icons inspire your sound today?
IM - Cate Le Bon, she is the chicest woman in rock today.
SM - I second that.
PH - Queen.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
IM - MJ. Obvious reasons.
SM - Michelle Obama is not history yet but it would be her because she keeps it unbelievably real, I think she would have very legit advice and she’s used to meeting keen strangers… Or Joe Leader on saxophone, because, so many questions.
PH - I’m not very good with history – I guess ideally some kind of Monarch where there was a huge banquet involved.
Which British subculture means the most to you?
IM - Health goth.
SM - Roadman – just out of fascination.
PH - Definitely steampunk.
If you could share the bill with any British band in history?
IM - Prefab Sprout for the quality backstage banter.
SM - David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars just because.
PH - The Beatles because then maybe me and McCartney could become a thing.
What music did you listen to growing up?
IM - New rave.
SM - Classic family tunes. Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Beach Boys.
PH - All the stuff my brothers liked… Pavement, Dandy Warhols, Pete and the Pirates. The first cool thing I liked that they didn’t was probably Jenny and Johnny’s record ‘I’m Having Fun Now’.
Girl Ray are an indie-pop trio from North London. Girl Ray will follow up their acclaimed 2017 debut album 'Earl Grey' with their recently announced second album 'Girl'. 'Girl' will be released on 8th November 2019 and can be pre-ordered at smarturl.it/GirlRayGirl.
Girl Ray will support Metronomy on tour in November 2019 before heading out on their own UK headline tour in February 2020. Details can be found at www.facebook.com/girlraylondon.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What was the first song you played on repeat?
IM - 'I Predict a Riot' by Kaiser Chiefs.
SM - 'Precious Time' by The Maccabees.
PH - If we’re going way back to S Club era then it’s gonna be ‘Bring It All Back’.
A song from your favourite album?
IM - 'Torrey Pine' by Chris Cohen.
SM - 'Optimist High' by Christ Cohen from 'Overgrown Path'.
PH - 'Funtimes in Babylon' by Father John Misty from 'Fear Fun'.
A song you wish you had written?
IM - 'Get Lucky' by Daft Punk.
SM - 'Day Dreaming' by Aretha Franklin.
PH - When I was 12 I cried when I listened to Foster the People’s song 'Pumped up Kicks' because I thought I’d never to be able to write a song that good. I still believe it’s a tune sent down from heaven. These days I’d set my sights a bit higher with 'Good Intentions Paving Co.' by Joanna Newsom.
A song that defines the teenage you?
IM - 'I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times' by Beach Boys.
SM - 'Jezebel' by Dizzee Rascal.
PH - 'Born Too Late' by The Poni-Tails. Always falling for the Grans.
What was the last piece of music you bought?
IM - 'Sorry For Laughing' by Joseph K.
SM - 'Apocalypse' by Thundercat.
PH - 'Expect Delays' by Evans The Death.
Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
IM - 'Problem' by Ariana Grande.
SM - 'Get Like Me' by Nelly.
PH - 'Black Magic' by Little Mix.
Best love song of all time?
IM - 'Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?' by The Beatles.
SM - 'Dress Sexy At My Funeral' by Smog.
PH - 'These Arms Of Mine' by Otis Redding.
Best song to turn up loud?
IM - 'Freak On A Leash' by Korn.
SM - 'I Like It' by Debarge.
PH - 'Murder On The Dancefloor' by Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Best song to bring people together?
IM - 'We Go Together' from the Grease soundtrack.
SM - To get all women and highly respectable men in one room together, 'Love on Top' by Beyonce.
PH - 'Cha Cha Slide' by DJ Casper.
4 songs you can’t stop listening to right now?
IM:
'Another Weekend' by Ariel Pink.
Daaaang Ariel! Here comes the summer!
'Everyday' by Sacred Paws.
Another summer classic.
'Strange' by The Hipshakes.
Good fast music from Manchester.
'To You' by Andy Shauf.
Just lovely.
SM:
'Where Do We Go' by Solange.
Because it’s sparse in the most beautiful way but also super jolty at the same time and Solange’s voice gives me the shivs.
'Time Moves Slow' by Badbadnotgood.
Because it’s tense, the beats are tight and you never really know where you’re at with it
'Wire' by Omni.
Because it’s a sly booty shake generator and has an unprecedented amount of sass
'Delta Fresh N Breezy' by Sean Nicholas Savage.
Because I like it when the harmonies sweet but get loose like a goose. Kinda sounds like he’s singing along to it for the first time in the best way.
PH:
'Joey Says We Got It' by The Orielles.
This is an instant banger. Even listening to it with new ears it has that kinda nostalgic summer sound about it.
'Look At What The Light Did Now' by Matthew E White and Flo Morrissey.
Everything about this song is 10/10. The production is so incredibly tasty.
'Heaven' by Babeheaven.
I was a bit late to the game with this but it’s such an amazing song. A total summer banger. Gives me all the feels.
'Zeds' by The Big Moon.
One of the sassiest songs ever. So so good.
03Interview
Photo by Laura McCluskey
Name?
IM - Iris from Girl Ray.
SM - Sophie Moss.
PH - Poppy Hankin.
Where are you from?
London Town.
What do you do?
IM - Rock + Roll.
SM - Loathe myself and play bass in Girl Ray.
PH - Shred.
Describe your style in three words?
IM - Jack Purcell vibes.
SM - Plain, warm and borrowed.
PH - Black and stripes.
If you could make a record with anyone from history?
IM - Queen Elizabeth II.
SM - Robin Williams for the lyrics.
PH - ABBA because they nail every single song.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to and why?
IM - Recently saw The Oh Sees at Field Day and it was like being lifted from the dead multiple times.
SM - Thundercat at Glastonbury. Raw shreds. Stephen Bruner’s supple legs and swinging septum. Played a heart melting slowed version of 'Oh Sheit it’s X' at the end that set my vulva alight.
PH - I gotta be honest I saw HAIM the other night and I was like f*** this is insane! I want to be them so badly. Kept imagining me joining their band and them changing the name to ‘Haimkin’.
What British music icons inspire your sound today?
IM - Cate Le Bon, she is the chicest woman in rock today.
SM - I second that.
PH - Queen.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
IM - MJ. Obvious reasons.
SM - Michelle Obama is not history yet but it would be her because she keeps it unbelievably real, I think she would have very legit advice and she’s used to meeting keen strangers… Or Joe Leader on saxophone, because, so many questions.
PH - I’m not very good with history – I guess ideally some kind of Monarch where there was a huge banquet involved.
Which British subculture means the most to you?
IM - Health goth.
SM - Roadman – just out of fascination.
PH - Definitely steampunk.
If you could share the bill with any British band in history?
IM - Prefab Sprout for the quality backstage banter.
SM - David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars just because.
PH - The Beatles because then maybe me and McCartney could become a thing.
What music did you listen to growing up?
IM - New rave.
SM - Classic family tunes. Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Beach Boys.
PH - All the stuff my brothers liked… Pavement, Dandy Warhols, Pete and the Pirates. The first cool thing I liked that they didn’t was probably Jenny and Johnny’s record ‘I’m Having Fun Now’.
Girl Ray are an indie-pop trio from North London. Girl Ray will follow up their acclaimed 2017 debut album 'Earl Grey' with their recently announced second album 'Girl'. 'Girl' will be released on 8th November 2019 and can be pre-ordered at smarturl.it/GirlRayGirl.
Girl Ray will support Metronomy on tour in November 2019 before heading out on their own UK headline tour in February 2020. Details can be found at www.facebook.com/girlraylondon.
04Playlist Notes
What was the first song you played on repeat?
IM - 'I Predict a Riot' by Kaiser Chiefs.
SM - 'Precious Time' by The Maccabees.
PH - If we’re going way back to S Club era then it’s gonna be ‘Bring It All Back’.
A song from your favourite album?
IM - 'Torrey Pine' by Chris Cohen.
SM - 'Optimist High' by Christ Cohen from 'Overgrown Path'.
PH - 'Funtimes in Babylon' by Father John Misty from 'Fear Fun'.
A song you wish you had written?
IM - 'Get Lucky' by Daft Punk.
SM - 'Day Dreaming' by Aretha Franklin.
PH - When I was 12 I cried when I listened to Foster the People’s song 'Pumped up Kicks' because I thought I’d never to be able to write a song that good. I still believe it’s a tune sent down from heaven. These days I’d set my sights a bit higher with 'Good Intentions Paving Co.' by Joanna Newsom.
A song that defines the teenage you?
IM - 'I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times' by Beach Boys.
SM - 'Jezebel' by Dizzee Rascal.
PH - 'Born Too Late' by The Poni-Tails. Always falling for the Grans.
What was the last piece of music you bought?
IM - 'Sorry For Laughing' by Joseph K.
SM - 'Apocalypse' by Thundercat.
PH - 'Expect Delays' by Evans The Death.
Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
IM - 'Problem' by Ariana Grande.
SM - 'Get Like Me' by Nelly.
PH - 'Black Magic' by Little Mix.
Best love song of all time?
IM - 'Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?' by The Beatles.
SM - 'Dress Sexy At My Funeral' by Smog.
PH - 'These Arms Of Mine' by Otis Redding.
Best song to turn up loud?
IM - 'Freak On A Leash' by Korn.
SM - 'I Like It' by Debarge.
PH - 'Murder On The Dancefloor' by Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Best song to bring people together?
IM - 'We Go Together' from the Grease soundtrack.
SM - To get all women and highly respectable men in one room together, 'Love on Top' by Beyonce.
PH - 'Cha Cha Slide' by DJ Casper.
4 songs you can’t stop listening to right now?
IM:
'Another Weekend' by Ariel Pink.
Daaaang Ariel! Here comes the summer!
'Everyday' by Sacred Paws.
Another summer classic.
'Strange' by The Hipshakes.
Good fast music from Manchester.
'To You' by Andy Shauf.
Just lovely.
SM:
'Where Do We Go' by Solange.
Because it’s sparse in the most beautiful way but also super jolty at the same time and Solange’s voice gives me the shivs.
'Time Moves Slow' by Badbadnotgood.
Because it’s tense, the beats are tight and you never really know where you’re at with it
'Wire' by Omni.
Because it’s a sly booty shake generator and has an unprecedented amount of sass
'Delta Fresh N Breezy' by Sean Nicholas Savage.
Because I like it when the harmonies sweet but get loose like a goose. Kinda sounds like he’s singing along to it for the first time in the best way.
PH:
'Joey Says We Got It' by The Orielles.
This is an instant banger. Even listening to it with new ears it has that kinda nostalgic summer sound about it.
'Look At What The Light Did Now' by Matthew E White and Flo Morrissey.
Everything about this song is 10/10. The production is so incredibly tasty.
'Heaven' by Babeheaven.
I was a bit late to the game with this but it’s such an amazing song. A total summer banger. Gives me all the feels.
'Zeds' by The Big Moon.
One of the sassiest songs ever. So so good.
Girl Ray | Show Me More (2019)
Girl Ray | The Way We Came Back (2018)
Girl Ray | Don't Go Back At Ten (2017)
Girl Ray | Trouble (2016)