Berries

Name, where are you from?
Lauren, living in London but grew up in Norfolk.

Describe your style in three words?
Jeans, band t-shirt, converse.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
There are so many huge shows in fantastic venues that I have loved, so this is difficult. But I saw one of my favourite bands, Canterbury, at their last ever show at Islington Academy. It was my first gig of theirs and it just felt great that I got to see them live before they disbanded. I think it was also one of the first gigs I went to when I moved to London so I have many fond memories of the show - and it was the first of many!

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Paramore & The Runaways – two of my favourite female/female-fronted bands from opposite ends of the genre spectrum! I reckon it would make for a fairly eclectic show and selfishly I’d quite like to have a beer and party with both bands!

Which subcultures have influenced you?
The skater subculture influenced me quite a bit in terms of music I was listening to growing up and my dress sense. And definitely, indie rock, Holly (from the band) and I grew up together in the same area where there wasn’t really a whole lot going on but we would spend almost every Friday or Saturday night at a local pub that put on gigs for young bands. The scene for us was very much indie and I think has stayed with us now as a bit of a DIY band!

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’m strangely super into Viking history at the minute, and full-on binged the TV series Vikings... so I think hanging out with Ragnar Lothbrok (Viking hero/king) for an hour would be entirely fascinating. And also terrifying.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
There are so many to choose from! I absolutely love the Roundhouse in Camden; because it’s round it feels like wherever you stand (or sit) you can see the whole crowd which is just a great vibe and feels very intimate. I was lucky enough to get to see Biffy Clyro there last year which was awesome, getting to see them in a smaller cap venue was just great. We played The Village Underground last year which I loved, it’s a very cool venue and I have seen a lot of my favourite bands play there so it felt super cool to play the same stage.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Daði Freyr – He was the Icelandic Eurovision contestant this year! After hearing his track for the contest I was so hooked and instantly started exploring his other music. Everything he does is (what I think) the epitome of a fantastic pop song - melody, harmony, cracking basslines and funky as!

BERRIES recently signed to Xtra Mile Recordings and are gearing up to release some new music early in 2021.

The first track you played on repeat?
My dad had some of his records in the loft and I remember we got them down one day in an attempt to record them onto tapes! One of them was 'Paranoid' by Black Sabbath and it was distorted and heavy and cool and I instantly wanted to play it on the guitar!

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Chop Suey!' by System of a Down. When I first heard them, it was unlike anything I had heard before (kinda still is)! Then everyone else around me was listening to them, all the local bands were doing covers, there wasn’t enough room on my USB mp3 player for all of their songs and I asked my parents for an Ibanez guitar for Christmas!

One record you would keep forever?
'Hey Joe' by Jimi Hendrix. One of the first songs I learnt on guitar, the first opening bluesy riff just runs through my head all of the time.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“I won’t sit down and I won’t shut up and most of all I will not grow up!”

From 'Photosynthesis' by Frank Turner.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Pour Some Sugar' by Def Leppard.

A song you wished you had written?
'Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies' by Biffy Clyro. I feel like its an absolute symphony of a song! Some of my favourite kind of rock is heavy choppy guitars, a MASSIVE chorus and an awesome breakdown and I think this song is all of that.

Best song to turn up loud?
'Oh Yeah' by The Subways. Or anything by The Subways! Gritty, edgy, CHORUS!

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Believe' by Cher. Also doubles up as my karaoke go-to.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Around the World' by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Super excitable, air guitars, rapping loudly at each other.

Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Year Of Rage' by Deux Furieuses.
'Call Me Crazy' by Arxx.
'Flatline' by Orla Gartland. 
'Grilled Cheese' by Martha Hill.
'King Of Machines' by Tiger Mimic.