Skip to main content

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






Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular

‘Make Tattooing Safe Again’: Sheffield Based Tattoo Artist Exposed for Indecent Behaviour

 by Emily Fletcher TW: SA, Animal Abuse, Transphobia Photo Credit: @ meiko_akiz uki Recently, an  Instagram account  has been created to provide a  ‘space to safely give a voice to those who want to speak out about the behaviour of one, Sheffield based tattoo artist’. A  total of 40+ posts have been made by the above social media account regarding  one of Sheffield's most popular tattoo artists .  Thankfully, all posts are prefaced with a Content Warning prior to sharing screenshots of the messages that have been sent anonymously to the page. The majority of Content Warnings refer to sexual behaviour, abuse, and sexual assault. It is clear that there is a reoccurring theme within each submission, as many clients appear to have had the same experiences with the tattoo artist. Women, mostly, are being made to feel uncomfortable while being tattooed. One of the most vulnerable positions anyone can be in, tattoo artists should make their clients feel comfortable and safe during the pro
Post a Comment
Read more

Single Review: ‘Tell Me’ - Jay Moussa-Mann

by Ilana Hawdon The feeling of pure betrayal and heartbreak is perfectly captured in Jay Moussa-Mann’s latest single, ‘Tell Me’. Jay Moussa-Mann is the folk dream we have been waiting for. A favourite on BBC Introducing, Radio 6 and BBC Radio Tees, Jay ’s sound is easy on the ears but delightfully addictive. With a background in writing and film, she began her solo musical venture when she released her debut album, ‘Little Deaths’ in late-2019, and since then, Moussa-Mann has defined herself as an artist with unbelievable range and promise.    ‘Tell Me’ is completely timeless; with notes of Carole King and Joni Mitchell, Moussa-Mann creates a folk-inspired track which is simultaneously heart wrenching and strangely empowering. Beginning as a simple guitar tune, ‘Tell Me’ builds with layers of luscious strings and twinkling piano, tied together with Jay ’s vocal line which is equal parts melancholic and divine. The song feels unwaveringly intimate; the lyrics ask, ‘what was I worth?’
Post a Comment
Read more

Eurydice’s Last Words

by Kate Bradley I do not want to return To sit in the stalls, Of an empty black box Strewn with petals Leave the ghost light on, Let it shine like a call home, But I will not come back To turn it off alone. I learn this as we walk Our ever so solemn path Our thudding funeral march, You think we’re going back. As I trace my old steps, I fear of the day When the symphony swells, And I land my gaze On you, yet you will be Enraptured by the sound, If you did twist To turn around, You would not see me. So I am not sorry, I speak out into the empty air And I am not sorry. “Turn Around.” You do, you look You think  I fall But I run on, Arms wide open To fall in love With it all “Perhaps she was the one who said, ‘Turn around.” On the X45 bus, back from the Tyneside Cinema, I wrote a poem entitled “Eurydice’s Final Words”, after having seen “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”.  That poem was terrible, so I wrote a new one, as my response to the beautifully poignant film.  In one scene, Héloïse , an 1
Post a Comment
Read more