Tuuli talk about embarrassing moments, UK weather and being freeeeaks....
First off, How has the tour been so far?
Jenny: Yeah it's been really really fun. We didn't really know what to expect. But there's been a lot of people at the shows, so yeah it's been fun!
What has been the best gig so far?
Jenny: to Naomi What do you think?
Claire: Scotland was good!
Naomi: I liked the one gig where the stage was so small I was almost at the front of the stage. Always have more energy being at the front.
Jenny: Oh was that Southampton! Even though I was really really drunk...It was fun right?
Naomi: That was cool, as I wasn't far far at the back as usual. We should set up like that more often! Felt like I was part of the crowd.
Jenny: That was fun fun. Really fun! Drunk fun.Even thoughme and Jen were wasted.
What about the worst?
Jenny: Ooh! That stupid gig in Scunthorpe where the sound crapped out on us, and everyone was saying stupid things. Everybody misses their boyfriends.
Naomi: There was one where the crowd were kind of dead, just standing there. It was like 'Hi!"
Jenny:The microphones cut out and half the people left as they thought we were done standing there. They were on our website like 'oh you guys are so unprofessional, you left the stage like twenty minutes early!' and I'm like, 'dude, the mics cut out'
Claire: The whole sound system cut out actually! It wasn't our fault!
Is there any particular meaning behind your name?
Claire: There's no meaning.It's unique.
The videos that have been shown in the UK as well as the press that you've received all feature Dawn and Jen, so some people may not have known that they left the band . What have the reactions been like, do you feel like you've been accepted by the fans, or has it not been a problem?
Claire: Naomi and Jen are more accepted than me! Somebody came up to me today and they were like "I've seen the videos, and you were definitely NOT in the video!" and I'm like "No I was". He was like 'Call my friend, call him.' and I was like "But you don't believe me".
Jenny: Yeah that's a good point, people don't recognise us from the pictures, they're like "that's not really you!""that doesn't look like you." People don't know who's who anyway so it's not a problem. People go crazy anyway and want your autographs and her drumsticks and things anyway!
Naomi: No they don't!
Jenny: Yeah they do! Every night!
Naomi: Yeah but after they come to you first!I'm the drummer.
Claire: No! Every night I get kids coming up to me like "Can I get a drumstick?"
Naomi: I bought drumsticks to give away!
How would you describe your sound?
Claire: We're a rock band with punk influences.
Jenny: Moreso live than on record. I wanna do the next record as we'll have more of an idea as to what direction we want to go in and what we sound like.
What is your favourite song of yours?
Claire: Of ours? Wake up.
Jenny:I don't have one. I wanna write new ones! I'm so stuck on like writing good new songs.
Naomi: The new songs are gonna kick ass.!
Do you ever worry that people concentrate on your looks than your music?
Jenny: Not when they come up and they're like "You don't look like your picture!You just wear what you wear and do what you wanna do, I don't care what people think. I don't caaaaaaaare anymore!
Do you find that the fact that you're female goes against you in a male dominated industry, do you ever feel like people aren't taking you seriously?
Naomi: drum roll
Jenny:Most popular question ever! I have got the same answer everytime. Here you go, again. I don't know what it's like to be a guy in a band, I don't know what its like. Its hard for any band to be taken seriously, doesn't matter if you're a guy or a girl. Its tough to get noticed anyway. Maybe if people take notice because you're a girl, maybe it's a good thing.
Naomi: I'm forgetting my answers! It is tough. I've always been in bands with guys, this is my first all female project which is awesome, but it's hard. Cos y'know cos people look at you and girls don't generally take the time to get serious about music. So guys just look and they're like "Oh, how could she be, shes's just a chick, they're just gonna see if she can play". I've had experiences where people can totally blow you off. You just have to push yourself out there and say "You're gonna listen to me, whether I have male or female parts!"
Where do you get inspiration for your songs from?
Jenny: Everywhere. Anything. Life. Other songs. New pair of shoes. Pokemon. Pikachu. Anything.
The song "Where are you now" seems to be about bullying, what was school like for you?
Jenny: Good lord. For me it was a nightmare. I had no friends, I was a goth, I was a freak, lived in a small town. I didn't have anything in common with anyone so I didn't want friends! I was a loner.
Claire: It was kind of the same for me. Except I wasn't a goth.But I lived in a small town. But I got picked on. And I didn't have any friends.
Naomi: Same thing. Except i wasn't goth. I was a hippy. It was all about being a version of Marsha Brady and Janis Joplin in one.
Jenny: So we're all versions of what people call "freeeeaks."
What do you prefer, making videos, recording in the studio, or performing live?
Jenny: Liiiiiive. We all agree. Who loves making videos!!!
Claire: Videos are awful! I hate videos, you have people touching your hair all the time!
Jenny: and stupid directors with their stupid visions that don't make any sense. You feel like such a boogerbrain standing there gotta look nice! It's stupid, you feel really fake.
If you could tour with any band, past or present, who would you choose and why?
Claire: That's a good question...
Jenny: I wanna tour with King Adora!
Naomi: I say Foo Fighters or Stone Temple Pilots.
What song do you wish you had written?
Jen walks in.
Claire: Ooh good call...erm....
Jen: The whole world of songs? Any Tiger Army songs.
Jenny: That's a hard question. No, I'd rather write our own and be proud of them.
What has been your most embarrassing moment as part of Tuuli?
Jenny: Oh my god.
Claire: We can definitely not speak of mine!!!
Jen: Me and Tom from the Wayriders were having a waterfight, I was trying to be really clever and sneak up behind him. I went inbetween their car and their caravan, TOTALLY drunk, didn't even think there was a latch attaching the caravan to the car, I didn't even jump over it, I smashed right into it and skidded my body across the pavement and everyone laughed. After they checked to see if I was OK though, of course.
Jenny: It was pretty embarrassing when you took a picture of me and Claire peeing. everyone laughs
Claire: I said you can't talk about that!!!
Jenny: I was there!
Jenny: We were both just standing there leaning against this huge billboard taking a pee.
Naomi: I don't have any moments. I'm good as gold!
Jen: They tell me I talk in my sleep.
Jenny: That's true, you did that last night! You were really mad at someone!!!
Are there any differences in how the crowd reacts here in the UK, and in America and Canada?
Claire: So far here it's been more receptive. But it all depends on the night, the city, the show, the venue. It depends. but overall it's been amazing here.
Jenny: People here are more into it, they've been singing along, not embarrassed to have fun.
What are your favourite bands?
Jen: Any rockabilly or psychobilly band.
Jenny:The Clash, and Jesus and Mary Chain, and Manic Street Preachers, and The Cure, and King Adora.
Claire: I like a lot of seventies punk.
Jenny: I like a lot of brit pop rock.
Naomi: I like the progressive rock funk and jazz, I like Level 42, and Jamiroquai.
What are your plans for the future?
Claire: To come back here.Back to the UK.
Naomi: If George Bush doesn't blow up the whole world first!!!!
Jenny: I love England, I lived here for a year.I love it.
Even the weather?
Jenny: All you english say that. What's wrong with it?
Its cold! And raining!
Jenny: WHAT??? Cold? It's not even winter!
Claire: Go to Canada! It's warm here!
Jenny: I've been like ' It's so nice out!' everyday.
Finally, have you got any advice for anyone who is just starting out in a band, anything that you wish you had known when you started out?
Claire: My only advice is be persistent.
Naomi: Know how to play an instrument. And practice. A lot. Don't think about it, do it.
Jenny: It's hard to find a group of people who have the same ideals and same vision as you. Don't give up, you might have different members come and go, but don't beat yourself up about it.
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© 2003 Jen Thomas
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