BUGS

Musicans — London

01Profile

A BUGS Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from? 
A: We are BUGS (Alice, Zhane, Bridie, Lucy), we met through studying at Goldsmiths. Half of us are from London, half from other places, but we all live in South East London now.

What do you do? 
A: Nothing.
Z: vape.

Describe your style in three words? 
L: Alice calls me ‘dyke boat captain’ and I rather like it.
Z: Poor fem aunty.
A: Unfortunate bargain bin.
B: Roller disco champ.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Z: Definitely Sona Koloyan. She sang a rendition of 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' and I was in awe. She’s recently uploaded a few sketches and they are beyond beautiful: 
B: When Moses Sumney played The Royal Festival Hall.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
L: Drag and queer culture. Especially in London right now the scene is growing so much and I feel lucky also to be here at a time when there are more options for queer womxn in terms of nightlife.
A: I was weirdly obsessed with the '60s Greenwich Village/American Folk revival scene when I was a teenager and unfortunately was one of those ‘born in the wrong generation’ teens and that is something I feel deeply ashamed about now.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
B: I don’t do well with new people, so no one.
A: Rasputin so I could show him the Boney M song and see what he thinks.

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
A: I love playing at Sister Midnight Records in Deptford. It’s a small place and you can’t fit a lot of people in there so it always feels pretty cosy and sweaty and you can just really vibe off of all that sweat. Also, it’s walking distance from my house.
L: I also love Matchstick Piehouse it's a lovely performance space with great pies.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
L: Gwenno - she’s just a genius and her music is so important it deserves to be heard by everyone.
Z: Sudan Archives. The most beautifully written songs and her vocal arrangements have definitely inspired me.

-

bugs-band.bandcamp.com

www.instagram.com/bugs_band

 

 

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
A: 'Fixing A Hole' by The Beatles. As a child, I really enjoyed digging holes in the garden. Not for any reason I would just dig them all then fill them back in again. Not sure why. Ask my mum, it’s true.
B: 'Sweet Thing' by Rufus and Chaka Khan.

A song that defines the teenage you?
Z: 'Cool' by Zack Villere.
L: 'Out Of The Woodwork' by Courtney Barnett, still my favourite song.

One record you would keep forever?
A: My oldest brother gave me 'Lady Sings The Blues' by Billie Holiday for Christmas one year and I love that record.
Z: 'Frank' by Amy Winehouse because it’s my favourite album EVER.
L: ABBA 'Gold', you have everything you need there.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
A: Either 'No Sleep Till Brooklyn' by Beastie Boys or 'Bully In The Alley' by Kimber’s Men because I love sea shanties.
L: people are always shocked to see how much I like Nicki Minaj.
Z: I guess Bollywood songs, I grew up watching Bollywood films with my family and have always loved them. 'Om Shanti Om' by Shreya Ghoshal & Abhijeet - absolute banger.
B: 'Supalonely' by BENEE.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
L: absolutely anything by Scissor Sisters.
Z: 'In My Room' by Frank Ocean.

Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Flöat, bb sway, nijuu, Tina, SURUP

03Interview

Name, where are you from? 
A: We are BUGS (Alice, Zhane, Bridie, Lucy), we met through studying at Goldsmiths. Half of us are from London, half from other places, but we all live in South East London now.

What do you do? 
A: Nothing.
Z: vape.

Describe your style in three words? 
L: Alice calls me ‘dyke boat captain’ and I rather like it.
Z: Poor fem aunty.
A: Unfortunate bargain bin.
B: Roller disco champ.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Z: Definitely Sona Koloyan. She sang a rendition of 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' and I was in awe. She’s recently uploaded a few sketches and they are beyond beautiful: 
B: When Moses Sumney played The Royal Festival Hall.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
L: Drag and queer culture. Especially in London right now the scene is growing so much and I feel lucky also to be here at a time when there are more options for queer womxn in terms of nightlife.
A: I was weirdly obsessed with the '60s Greenwich Village/American Folk revival scene when I was a teenager and unfortunately was one of those ‘born in the wrong generation’ teens and that is something I feel deeply ashamed about now.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
B: I don’t do well with new people, so no one.
A: Rasputin so I could show him the Boney M song and see what he thinks.

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
A: I love playing at Sister Midnight Records in Deptford. It’s a small place and you can’t fit a lot of people in there so it always feels pretty cosy and sweaty and you can just really vibe off of all that sweat. Also, it’s walking distance from my house.
L: I also love Matchstick Piehouse it's a lovely performance space with great pies.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
L: Gwenno - she’s just a genius and her music is so important it deserves to be heard by everyone.
Z: Sudan Archives. The most beautifully written songs and her vocal arrangements have definitely inspired me.

-

bugs-band.bandcamp.com

www.instagram.com/bugs_band

 

 

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
A: 'Fixing A Hole' by The Beatles. As a child, I really enjoyed digging holes in the garden. Not for any reason I would just dig them all then fill them back in again. Not sure why. Ask my mum, it’s true.
B: 'Sweet Thing' by Rufus and Chaka Khan.

A song that defines the teenage you?
Z: 'Cool' by Zack Villere.
L: 'Out Of The Woodwork' by Courtney Barnett, still my favourite song.

One record you would keep forever?
A: My oldest brother gave me 'Lady Sings The Blues' by Billie Holiday for Christmas one year and I love that record.
Z: 'Frank' by Amy Winehouse because it’s my favourite album EVER.
L: ABBA 'Gold', you have everything you need there.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
A: Either 'No Sleep Till Brooklyn' by Beastie Boys or 'Bully In The Alley' by Kimber’s Men because I love sea shanties.
L: people are always shocked to see how much I like Nicki Minaj.
Z: I guess Bollywood songs, I grew up watching Bollywood films with my family and have always loved them. 'Om Shanti Om' by Shreya Ghoshal & Abhijeet - absolute banger.
B: 'Supalonely' by BENEE.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
L: absolutely anything by Scissor Sisters.
Z: 'In My Room' by Frank Ocean.

Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Flöat, bb sway, nijuu, Tina, SURUP

 

05Videos

BUGS | Nick Gowland (2020)