Words by Art Jefferson
Images courtesy of Nova Twins
Nova Twins play by their own rules – no musical restrictions, no visual restrictions, just pure freedom of expression. The South London-based pair comprised of Amy Love and Georgia South are the now generation of rebel rockers carrying on an organic punk ethos and a sound that is shaking up the industry.
Whilst Nova Twins set the tone of their sound performing a track titled ‘Bad Bitches’ back in 2014, the duo kicked open the door with no apologies last year with their raging single ‘Bassline Bitch’. Punchy with aggression, the track’s impact hit with full force, propelling a wave of excitement around the group. Nova Twins quickly began making rounds on platforms such as BBC Introducing, London News and more. They were championed at BBC 6 Music and established support by iconic brands such as Underground shoes.
Turning up the heat, Nova Twins brought forth the follow-up track to ‘Bassline Bitch’ entitled ‘Hitlist’. Fierce and bold, the dashing deliverance of rock was the writing on the wall that Nova Twins were here to stay, continuing to heighten their already rising tide.
If Nova Twins’ last two recordings represented two parts of their musical body of sonic alchemy, then their self-titled debut EP is the full-figured formation. Five songs in total, each cut is a delivered ball of energy, growing by the track. With that flaming sphere can only come a full explosion when touching down. The world better brace for impact.
You are both guitarists. Can you give a little insight into your musical history?
Georgia – I was always drawn to music as I come from a very musical family, I was probably humming along to bass lines in the womb! But from since I was 7 or 8 my dad taught me how to play the piano and loved doing that for years, but as soon as I hit my early teens (around 12) I wanted an instrument I couldn’t hide behind, so I chose the bass when I started my first band so I could be louder and more upfront. Between the encouragement of my dad and me teaching myself, I grew to where I am today. I left my first band and became a Nova Twin, and that’s where my love for pedals and crazy sounds increased as I had the space and responsibility to be as creative as possible and create as many huge sounds as I want!
Amy – I haven’t been a guitarist for very long, Georgia’s dad also encouraged me a couple of years ago. I’ve always been a singer/song writer working with different musicians but found it hard to settle/communicate my ideas. It came to the point where I wasn’t enjoying the music that I was creating and became lost for inspiration, that’s when I decided to learn the guitar. It was a very frustrating time but as my fingers made sense of it all, it all clicked and I gained the confidence to take it live. Georgia accompanied me on my first open mic night…which was exciting as hell! After doing that gig we new that we had stumbled on something special. Shortly after we decided to become an official band and here we are today.
When did you decide to come together to form Nova Twins?
Amy & Georgia – We have been a band for 2 years but spent the first year writing enough songs to actually gig with. We have always been good friends and have worked together closely, whether it’s us going around the London circuit together gigging in our separate projects, or generally me never leaving her house (I basically live there). We have always shared the same interests whether it’s music or not, and when our previous projects went to pot, very quickly we came to the realisation that we had everything that we ever needed between the two of us to form the dream team!
Who were some of your musical influences growing up?
Amy – There was no one in particular, I went through stages of listening to different artists at different points in my life. As a kid I started on Disney and The Spice Girls but we must all grow up at some point and I discovered all different types of genres and artists like The Raconteurs, Kate Bush, Rihanna, Missy Elliot (all the R&B classics) to Mc5, New York Dolls, Talking Heads, etc. I love James Blake and Hiatus Kaiyote – There are so many, whilst some albums have stayed with me over the years, others were very much “phases in my life” but all of them had a part to play. I don’t really have preference, whatever suits my mood.
Georgia – When I was younger the first albums I learnt inside out were Stevie Wonder’s ‘Innovations’ and Mariah Carey’s live album from 1996! I was also introduced to N*E*R*D, and rap artists like Eminem and Kanye West. I shared my iTunes library with my dad and brother so I had a constant mix of genres from Donny Hathaway, The Black Eyed Peas, Eminem to Missy Elliot! Now I listen to music like Skepta, Lola Wolf, Rihanna, Royal Blood and Slaves.
Your music is fiery and exciting. How long did it take you to build and craft your sound to what it is now?
Georgia – We took about a year to get to what our sound is now. Throughout that year my pedal board tripled in size as I was constantly searching for bigger sounds and experimenting with combining sounds together. We always had the fundamentals of the Nova sound from day one, but it mutated and developed as we delved further into it. We’re always still growing and thinking of new ways to further the Nova sound to keep it fresh!
Amy – Our sound was there as soon as we wrote our first Nova song. We didn’t consciously decide on it, it all naturally evolved. When we first started out we had a few people trying to get involved and dictate what we should sound like because of a look they thought we portrayed. They expected us to be more ‘pop’ that’s how they would put it! When you first start out it’s easy to be swayed in different direction, that’s why it’s so important to know who you are as an artists and trust in your decisions. Anyway, we didn’t take any bit of notice of what those people had to say and continued to make the music that we wanted to make, “If you don’t like it, there’s the door.” If anything, we just got edgier and heavier as time went on.
The lyrics for your song ‘Hitlist’ are definitely in your face with attitude. It’s one of those tracks that pumps the listener with adrenaline. Can you talk a bit about that cut?
Amy – It’s about playing on stereotypes and gender roles. Men get a free pass when it comes to talking about sex, women, being their own boss etc., but when the coin is flipped and women talk about that stuff, they immediately get labeled and can be seen in a negative light, which is absurd in this day and age. When I first started writing the verses, I wanted to take the piss out of that stereotypical attitude, switching up the roles but saying it from a woman’s perspective, but by the time I finished the song I realised that I wasn’t taking the piss at all. My thoughts and what I say are my own, gender aside we all take pleasure in the same things. It just depends on how upfront you want to be about it!
Georgia – We want people to have the freedom to be themselves – embracing their individual qualities. We wanted to make an anthem for people to chant, feel liberated and empowered by! I love using gritty and gnarly tones, the dirtier the better.
You will be playing a number of dates with the ROAR tour. The very idea of empowerment fits perfectly with what Nova Twins are about. What do you feel is needed to help create a more gender balanced placing in the music industry?
Amy – There are so many women in the music industry, but they’re not always seen or they are not always credited for their work, as the face of it all still seems to be dominated by men. When you look at the mainstream culture, all you see is young girls exploited by the idea of what it is to be sexy and sell records, that will influence the younger generation to feel that they have to live up to those expectations and beauty ideals, and trying to fit that particular mould when it’s not realistic. We need more diverse women brought to the front of things, until it becomes the norm and reflects on what is really out there. The day women in bands stop being labeled as ‘girl bands’ is the day we can all move on.
Georgia – Yeah we can think of a million times where people have come up to us, asking if we’re going to sing to a backing track even if we are clear as day carrying our guitars on our backs. There is always a sense of shock when we pull out our bass and guitar like it is unheard of. At first the only comparison people could make was comparing us to other female fronted bands who sound nothing like us, but now we feel like there is a slight breakthrough where people are referring to what they think our music sounds like as apposed to what we look like.
With you two there is an authenticity of what punk was and still is. Whilst there may not necessarily be a ‘tribalism’ like it was in the earlier days of punk in the UK, do you still feel that the spirit is alive among the youth of today?
Georgia – The spirit of punk is very much alive today, you see it with a lot of grime/Hip-Hop artists as they express themselves unapologetically and that’s what I love about it. They’ve created they’re own movement similar to how punk was back in the day and now the youth have something to say! We are following in their footsteps.
Amy – We have taken on their DIY spirit and culture. Through suppression, these types of genres where born and made way for diversity. People needed a voice back then and we still do today but it doesn’t just live through punk, whilst it was inspired by it, it comes from a less segregated place now as we have knocked down those barriers. We don’t have to belong to a category, genre or put a label on it, we can all be individuals, sharing a common interest.
I remember when you played a show for Underground shoes. From that point on I was personally hooked. Underground is a brand that has a long history with punk and seem to be aligned with your movement. How did you enjoy performing that night?
Amy – We had a great time. Playing on their office roof in the middle of Shoreditch was quite something, not to mention we are in LOVE with their shoes. They are always so supportive and are not afraid to be flamboyant with their designs, it’s a perfect match.
Georgia – They’re shoes are to die for! Our FAVOURITE brand of shoe. We have a lot of love for Underground and the support they give us. That night was a lot of fun! We did an “acoustic” set, which is basically bass/pedal board, vocals and cajon. It was a challenge for me as I felt very naked without a drum kit or Amy’s guitar but we pulled through. I think people enjoyed seeing the different dynamic of us being stripped back!
Finally, you have just released your self titled EP. How does that feel?
Amy – We are so excited to finally share our music with everyone, It’s been a long time coming. I feel like its Christmas or something.
Georgia – Yeah it’s a massive relief having our music finally out to the world. We couldn’t wait to share it with everyone!
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