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Sometimes music comes from the least likely of places, but 'lo and behold, three siblings have recorded an album that would make Fats Domino smile. Kitty (16) Daisy (21) and Lewis (18) have made an album that includes playing 40’s/50’s R&B and country, western and swing, Hawaiian and rock ‘n’ roll...basically anything that your grandparents danced to...and made it fresh again. And who doesn't like to groove to oldies (even if they're really newies?)
For their self-titled debut album, the trio was dedicated to recreating that old fashioned sound. All of their recording equipment was from the 1950s and there was a computer in sight. All of the songs were recorded in one take and all of it was done in their front room with their dad on guitar and their mom on double bass. Their parents had been recruited for the band after the siblings had decided they needed a few more band members to fill out their sound...even though their mother had never played the bass before. Kitty, Daisy and Lewis will be opening for Coldplay all this weekend. We caught up with Lewis last night to talk about his new record. Here is some of what was said.
What made you pick up an instrument? How old were you?
I dunno. I can't remember.
Really? You can't remember music lessons as a kid?
Well their was always instruments all over the house. We've all been playing instruments since birth. It's like asking me, "When was the first time you brushed your teeth?" I can't remember.
Fair enough. Is it hard being on tour with your family? I mean you're around them everyday all the time.
Yeah, it can be. Yeah.
What song are you most proud of on the album?
They're all different in their own respect. I can't say that I'm more proud of one than another.
Why did you guys choose to record your album in your living room and not a studio?
Our living is a studio now. I've been collecting recording equipment for years now. I've always wanted to make records ever since I started collecting them. We did some recordings in studios, using computers and stuff like that, but it never sounded right. You don't get that same nice quality of sound like you do with tape machines. The kind of music we listen to: blues, jazz, R&B, were all recorded live in one take. In order to get the sound we wanted we had to do the same thing.
What is your writing process like?
Usually we'd be just like jammin' come to a groove or something and something will really work. Then we will just build around it and ad lyrics.
Is your band a democracy or a dictatorship?
Bit of both, really.
Who's the dictator?
It depends on who's written the song.
You and your sisters all play at least three instruments each. Are there any instruments you want to pick up?
We all want to learn how to play the saxophone, but we're going to need lessons. It's not like most instruments. You need to know what buttons you're pushing. You can't just pick it up.
What was the worst show you ever played?
I dunno. I can't remember. I guess corporate gigs and stuff were pretty bad. A lot of the audience wasn't there for the music and a lot of them were not into music at all.
I heard you were in LA for the first time ever last week. What did you think?
We were in Hollywood. I don't like that you have to drive everywhere. You can't really walk places and stuff. In England it's much easier. You can just get on the bus and go where you want. There are a lot of good record shops in LA. It's a lot easier to find stuff here than in London.
If you could change one thing about the music industry what would it be?
Um...digital music, digital formats, they should get rid of them.
Why?
Because they're crap. They've got bad sound quality.
Do you have a favorite local band at the moment?
I dunno there are a few good bands around. I dunno, like, blues bands or whatever.
If you were going to throw a party in Heaven and one in Hell who would you book?
I dunno. Muddy Waters would be good for Heaven. He's probably in Heaven. And for hell...there are loads of people aren't there? Maybe, Sonny Boy Williamson.
If you could sing with anyone in the world who it would it be?
I wouldn't really want to interfere with music. I would rather listen. They're probably good enough without me.
Fair enough. Last question, if you're in London for one hour, what do you have to see?
London is a bit crap because most of the good places are being demolished. The old markets have been there for hundreds of years are being developed and stuff. It's a real shame. I guess I would say Soho, although a lot of the old stuff has been destroyed.
Well thanks for talking with us, Lewis.
Thank you.
Be sure to catch Kitty, Daisy & Lewis this weekend when they open for Coldplay. They'll be at the Home Depot Center on Saturday and the Verizon Amphitheater on Sunday.
Want to learn more about Kitty, Daisy and Lewis? Check out their BBC Documentary here.
