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Gen and the Degenerates - Issue One Full Interview

  1. How did you meet each other and what's the story behind your band name?


I met Jake and Sean (the guitarists) when I asked them if they had a number to buy some weed. Evan (drums) and Jay (bass) had known the others since they were really young as they all grew up in the same area. It all just kind of fell into place.


  1. Which artists inspire you?


As a band we have a whole range of different influences. Personally my biggest inspirations are old school blues artists my dad used to play in the house growing up and more recently Amy Winehouse. I’ve definitely learnt my very confessional and emotional style of writing from them.


  1. How do you pick what to write your lyrics about?


I don’t really choose what I write about. It just kind of spills out. Often a feeling or an experience will have been building up inside me for a while and I’ll need a way to process it or kind of release it cathartically. I write from my own experience almost exclusively which can definitely have it’s downfalls.


  1. What is your main focus when making music?


At the core of our band is a really strong friendship. We love playing music together regardless of whether there is an audience there or not so usually we end up writing songs that we think are really fun to play. Luckily for us this enthusiasm has proven to be infectious and means the crowd have a great time too.


  1. What has your experience been as a female band member? Has this been a burden or allowed you to do more?


I don’t really notice within that immediate sphere. We’re very collaborative but I definitely take a leadership role. I don’t feel like the boys ever questioned that regardless of my gender.


  1. Do you think there has been a gender imbalance in the music scene? And if so, what can we do to reduce that imbalance?


There is definitely a gender imbalance in the music scene. When we were first starting out the only shows we’d get offered (if we got offered any at all) were the kind of “Women’s Day” or “Fierce Females” bullshit shows I’m sure all women in music are accustomed to. We ended up putting on our own shows and our attitude there really had a knock on effect in our local scene in terms of representation. Now we don’t have much trouble getting booked on shows in Liverpool as we’re more established here but we still keep running shows under “Degenerate Productions” to make sure more bands like us can get that first bit of support we never got.


  1. Are there any local creatives (musicians/artists/filmmakers) you urge us to check out?


There are so many great creatives we work with it’s hard to know where to start! Our friend Rosa Kusabi is an incredible artist. She’s designed merch for us and is working with us on a brand new project we’re really excited about. Her prints are amazing and she even sells her own t-shirts from her brand Dream Date. In terms of musical artists, again so many to choose from. I’m really obsessed with kind of folky-pop-indie stuff at the moment. Obviously really different from my roll around on the stage kind of antics but I’ve needed something a bit more chill during lockdown haha. I recommend Sara Wolff (who is a little more established) and then two pretty new acts Amber Jay and Lydiah. They all give me goosebumps.


  1. How would you describe your music in 5 words?


Blood and Thunder Rock’n’Roll (that’s 5ish right?)


Questions by Emily Duff






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