I do not profess to living under a rock for the past few years :), so I am familar with the name RazorBladeKisses. And I also adore their debut album 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Scar', and a lovely title too..So I just had to interview Azadeh and Layla, the sisters that make up this band, so here goes....
Can you give the visitors to this website a little history about yourselves and how the band came about?
Azadeh: I joined RazorBladeKisses in 2001 when I first moved to UK, the band only consisted of Andy and Layla back then.
Layla: I was playing keyboards in another of Andi's bands in 1999 and one day he heard me sing along with Frozen by Madonna and loved my vocal style. It didn't fit with the kind of music he was writing for his other band so we decided to start a different/side project, just the two of us focusing on the kind of spooky innocent sound that works well with my vocal style. That
became RazorBladeKisses.
And what made you get into the music business in the first place?
Azadeh: Music was always a part of my life, I used to play classical guitar in Iran and I also took singing lessons. I was also a part of our school choir group.
Can you introduce us to the other members of the band?
Azadeh: Layla my sister is the other vocalist. Andi my brother in law writes
most of the music and plays the Bass. Jacqui is our guitarist and Steve our drummer
I understand that 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Scar' is your debut album, and indeed, I have fallen in love with the promo copy that I have reviewed on my website. Can you tell us more about the songs on the CD, and how would you describe the music on the record?
Azadeh: The album consists of some of the songs we have been doing since the
birth of RBK. The theme is based on old fairytales and Persian folktales and nursery rhymes.
And I am curious as to how you came about the title of the cd and indeed the name of the band?
Layla: Actually, an old friend of ours came up with the title. It was just a play on a nursery rhyme title. So the star turns into scar. Scars shine to show their presence to tell the world they were created for a reason. There is no denial to them so they twinkle and twinkle.
Was the recording of the album simple or did it give you major headaches?
Azadeh: It was easier than I thought. My parts took only one whole day to record which was a relief Layla: Minor problems like lack of studio and departure from our label didn't help things, but we pulled it together at the end.
What was the studio experience like nonetheless?
Layla: Well we recorded it in our own home studio. Four poster bed..lots of duvets and fluffy covers.. cosey :)
Cool :) Have either of you been involved with any other musical projects, band or solo that you would like to let us in on?
Layla: I have some secret ones going in the background right now for me, but I used to be the keyboard player of Andi's old band D>vilution.
I believe that you have done a few gigs this year? What has the reception been like generally?
Azadeh: Whitby gig was by no doubt our best gig of this year so far. The reception was amazing and we were bombarded by fans when we were at our merch-stall which was nice.
As females in the music business and although there shouldn't be, is there ever a problem with being taken seriously within what is still seen by some people as a male orientated genre?
Azadeh: I think it's got more positive points than negative. It's what makes us if you like individual as we are one of the few bands that are female-fronted by two sisters and this seems to be a part of our appeal.
Layla: Not really. If anything it works in our favour..we have many fan boys/girls :)
Musically and spiritually who are your inspirations, and what sort of music are you currently listening to when you chillax?
Azadeh: A wide range of genres all the way from classical to black metal. These days I only tend to listen to Classical composers such as Bach and Mozart.
Layla: My mood and people surrounding me at the time are my main inspirations. I listen to anything from Baroque to 80's synth pop to j-rock, metal, doom and black metal. Sometimes even good Jazz or trance makes my hips move. Currently listening to Depeche Mode.
I knew the Depeche Mode lads back in the 80s while working in Essex. Anyway, do you enjoy any hobbies away from the music business?
Azadeh: I'm also an alternative model.
Layla: Modelling, designing/making clothes, playing computer games with my son, and not to forget causing nuisance and breaking hearts.
What band/artist would you just love to tour with and hang out with?
Azadeh: Last Dance are great fun to gig with.
Layla: the GazettE, a japanese Visual Kei band.
Finally, what hopefully are your future plans, music or otherwise?
Layla: Can never tell the future..I go with the flow, it's more exciting that way.
Well, that is it folks - their new cd 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Scar' hits the shops on October 26th. Meanwhile, check them out at www.myspace.com/razorbladekisses
Dave Smith (Oct 15, 2009)