MD: How would you describe your sound to the uninitiated?

Violet: 'Gossip rock' - like the name indicates, we do like to gossip in a rock format.
Our main influences are cats, tour time, Sleater-Kinney, pork pies and Blood Red Shoes.

MD: You formed when you decided to take on the boys in a battle of the bands. Tell me more about that? What's it like to be an all girl band?
 
Violet: The Battle of The Bands was hosted at a bowling alley [a la Josie and The Pussycats] so we can now cite that amongst our list of strangest places we've played alongside a squat in Leipzig and a ship in Basel, Germany.
 
Being in our band means you are always on time [!] polite and very well organised which is probably more a comment on our meticulous natures rather than our gender. We also, have a strict 'no jamming' rule when writing songs so feel we get things done a bit quicker too rather than anal guitar wankery taking up rehearsal time.

MD: How do you think your sound has changed from your first album in 07 through your E.P’s and singles to the writing of your new record?

Violet: The recording of the new album this time around has just been amazing and a complete contrast to our previous times in the studio. We are super excited to have Dave Pye working with us on our new record, not only as he seems to really understand the kind of sounds we want to create but also, for his commendable facial hair. 'The City Is Full Of Beasts,' is being recorded at Leeders Farm so we are also exposed to delicious spring reverb and Dan Hawkins himself [which has only proven to fuel Cheri's questionable Darkness obsession]

 

 

  

MD: What has the reaction been to “C-C-C-Cat”?

Violet: Fantastic! We got back from a really successful single tour in April/May to promote the new record in both the UK and Europe and couldn't be happier with the way the new material is sounding and peoples reactions. Particularly, in Europe, they are so appreciative and welcoming - we ended the European stint of the tour in an aptly titled venue 'The Cat Cafe,' Ulm, Germany, and, with all our new friends and fans there, it was a truly great end to the whole experience!

MD: Are you looking forward to playing Hot City Sounds.

Violet: We always love our hometown gigs and Norwich crowd for their continual support and loyalty so, naturally, are very pleased to be part of this years Hot City Sounds Festival. The city has an amazing atmosphere and great gigs happening on a weekly basis, which makes something like this a great showcase of all the local talent out there at the moment. We will be pencilling many of the other dates in our diaries, as well as our own, to support the cause!

MD: You've toured quite a lot with a band called The Nightingales in Europe and America. Tell us more about that experience.

Violet: The Nightingales have been such a great help with the band, not only, with touring but their constant support and adoration for the band and all we do. We had the pleasure of playing the East Coast of America with them at the end of last year, which was just amazing, playing at the legendary 'Arlenes Grocery' in New York City as well as The Cake Shop, which, as the name suggests, was not only a great little club, but also sold delicious cupcakes upstairs!
 
MD: There are quite a few bands in Norwich with double names (like glory Glory and Fever Fever) is it some kind of challenge or obscure movement?

Violet: Or a terrible local stutter... Our name came about as part of a relatively unimaginative word type raffle but we always like to use the rehearsed, and frankly far more entertaining, name story from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory 'you're turning violet, violet!' We certainly didn't secretly meet up to discuss the double named epidemic with the aformentioned bands, but are most certainly up for some doubled name band tour time, taking our Norwich sound and stutter worldwide!