The Viennese supergroup about giving 150 percent, trust in a band and about blink-182.
The three musicians Mira Lu Kovacs, Nastasja Ronck and Sophie Lindinger pose with two strangely decorated dogs. It is no coincidence that this style of the new cover is reminiscent of the so-called “ugly family photos” that have been circulating on the Internet for years: “The bond between the three of us just happened to us – and it feels like a family, one chosen Family,” says singer and bassist Sophie, “the photo just fit well with an album that’s a lot about friendship and trust. Anyway, the photo shoot was great fun, we were lucky that the black dog jumped up by chance. This one funny moment suits us well because we like to play with humor and don’t take ourselves too seriously.”
Mutual trust
Making music together as friends is the indispensable basis of the band. “Making music means processing things, singing and writing about emotions. We can share this with each other because we trust each other. This is how really honest songs are created. I think that’s only possible in a friendship.”
In contrast to the debut album VITAMIN C, where Sophie was almost exclusively behind the songs, the band now works more together: “For me it was exciting to allow the others to have a say and we can be creative together.” The sound of the Albums is strongly reminiscent of the 1990s and early 2000s – a conscious decision by the band, who saw themselves musically socialized during this time. The homage to this time culminates in the video for the song “Feed Up”, in which well-known 90s videos from bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Avril Lavigne, Nirvana and blink-182 are replayed, including a cameo appearance in the Cult program “Welcome Austria” by Grissemann and Stermann.
Now there are no more blink-182 running naked through the streets
“We consciously chose to have women appear in the various, otherwise male-dominated scenarios. Especially in the video in which we run naked through the streets like blink-182 once did. This immediately takes on a different meaning when musicians do it. We see this as a statement for a new era: We are replacing you now – that’s how you can understand it!”
In terms of content, “Feed Up” is an ode to boredom and idleness, moving away from the omnipresent fear of missing out (FOMO) towards the joy of missing out: “It’s often not easy to say ‘no’ to not take part in something “Especially as a self-employed person in the music business,” says Sophie, “somehow you always have to give 150 percent to get ahead. Then it’s a statement to not do anything, just relax.”
The good life
In the record’s opener “Are You In”, My Ugly Clementine asks about the good life, the concern with what concerns people in everyday life and how one can consciously live a good life. This record definitely gives you a lot of inspiration. From a feminist perspective – and with a good dose of rock attitude.
The Viennese supergroup’s second album, THE GOOD LIFE, was released on August 11th via BMG.
Text and interview by: Katja Röckel