The Rokettes are an indie band from East London, not too far away from Ravenheart Dave's old hunting ground of Romford in Essex. 'Burn Baby Burn' is their debut and rather catchy single (it sticks around your head for ages), and will be followed by the release of their debut album later this year. The Rokettes front woman has gained national fame under the name Elena - her previous cds being 'Glimpse' and 'Paint It Gold', the latter reviewed favourably on this very website last October. So let's find out more about The Rokettes and the stunning vocals of Elena!
Firstly Elena, what made you get into the music business in the first place? and what by and large would you class as your influences? I was always in love with music, since I was a kid I used to sit outside my brothers room while he was spinning some Zeppelin and Floyds LP. But I was an 80’ child and my influence are mainly from bands like Blondie, The Pixies and I do love some contemporary stuff like Yeah yeah yeahs.
Regards The Rokettes, can you tell us more about the band, the guys in the band and how it all came together? I’ve been playing with so many different musicians during Glimpse and Paint It Gold, but with two of them in particular I work extremely well that’s Ben the guitarists and Merjin the drummer.
As a female in the business and although there shouldn't be, is there ever a problem with being taken seriously? Not really , the biggest star in the universe is Madonna.. There you go a female!
The Rokettes debut album - how would you describe the music on this record? More electronic, more live sound then anything I have performed so far. The guitars are harder, but the drums are more disco then ever before and we’re using more synth also. Also dirtier.. With a few naughty words , its called The Fucking Queen Of Everything.
And can you tell us more about the songs on the record, and do you have any personal faves? I love Burn Baby Burn, its soooo rocking!!, The Fucking Queen of Everything is quite cool also and we’re now working on couple of tracks that are also special to me.
I see you have been compared to everyone from Marianne Faithful to Cerys from Catatonia. How do you feel about those awesome comparisons? I don’t know Catatonia that well but Marianne is one of my idols, so I’m very very please.
Back to the cd, what was the studio experience like? We’re still in the studio and its quite cool, I love writing and producing and I’m using couple of alternative technics from the previous two albums, I’m using dffent amps and for the first time we’re adding the Les Paul sound to our ever present retro Gretsch
And regards the overall recording process - is it simple or are there any major headaches being thrown thrown your away ? There’s always an headaches in the studio.. Computer crashing, amp not working , forgetting chords sequence etc etc..
Musically, who or what are your inspirations at the moment, and what sort of music are you listening to when you are chilling out or relaxing? Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Knife, some King Of Leon.. But again mostly Blondie and The Pixies
And do you have any hobbies when not making music? I ride horses, my ex partner had one that I rode regularly but now we’re spit I got to get one of my own.. And I’m looking forward to it! But also looking after and spending time with India my 14 months old daughter is the best thing ever!
What band/artist would you just love to tour with and hang out with? King Of Leon, I fancy him sooooooo much!
And what are your band's plans for the future regards a tour, and do you have any future musical ambitions? Well playing the summer festivals and couple of London shows are in the plans for the summer , as well as mastering this album and getting it released! Musically I’d like to learn the chords I have to play in this new set! i’m soo behind with rehearsing!! Get on with it Elena!
Good luck in all your future endeavours. We at Ravenheart think you and your band are awesome. We wish you and The Rokettes all the very best for the future, and if you are Birmingham way, please come and find us.
Aimee Halford (Jun 29, 2009)