St. Albans duo Starseedz are Jon & Catrine, whose charming and melodic tunes have caught the attention of not just Alternative Friday, but also an influential independent label, which led to them playing an event at this year’s The Great Escape festival in Brighton. They’ve recently been featured in a Mixtape, but now they face a Q&A grilling, however what do roast potatoes, breathing underwater, and cat dancing have to do with rock ‘n’ roll, and who would take the lead roles in ‘Starseedz – the movie’? Read on to find out…
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~ What’s the background to the duo?
We have both been in various bands prior to Starseedz. We started working together in a band called Spacechik, which caught the interest of Mushroom Records and EMI, and played at the Soccer 6 celebrity football tournament which was great fun, plus we got to hang out with lots of cool people. Starseedz grew out of that after Jon and I decided to become a duo and take on a more acoustic sound.
~ You recently released your debut single – Miss You – but how would you best describe your music, and who have been your main musical influences?
The best fit would be kind of Alt Indie, folk, pop. I’m not sure if our music is directly influenced by any one band or genre but we like to listen to a range of music from Crowded House, Family of the Year, Night Beds, Blondie, Lou Reed, Bowie, Rufus Wainwright and Radiohead.
~ You’ve recently hooked up with End of the Trail Records. How did that come about?
We posted a track on Fresh on the Net, and Kelly from End of the Trail heard it and liked it and it went from there. He contacted us through Soundcloud.
~ Who were your musical heroes when you were growing up?
Jon: Thin Lizzy, The Beatles, The Doobie Brothers, The Who.
Catrine: Marc Bolan, Blondie, Beatles, Lou Reed, The Shangri La’s, Tracy Thorn.
~ What’s the most memorable gig you’ve ever done, and if you could play live at any venue in the UK, where would it be?
Jon: I played Hammersmith Odeon as a support to Saxon!!!. I’d always wanted to play there since seeing Thin Lizzy there for the first time. I’d love play The Albert Hall with Starseedz.
Catrine: We supported Paul Young at The Horn in St Albans with his band Los Pacaminos. That was quite cool. My dream would be to play Glastonbury.
~ Are there any other new musicians local to you in the St. Albans area that you recommend we check out?
Emma McGrath is a very talented young artist who is making waves in the music scene, & we also really enjoy watching Katie plus Juan.
~ If you could claim one song as your own – wiping the original from all memory – what would it be?
Jon: Our House by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Catrine: Sunday Morning by Lou Red, because it always gets me every time I hear it. I love the simplicity, yet the power of its emotion.
~ If you could collaborate with a famous musician or band, who would it be?
Jon: Neil Finn, I love his songwriting and voice, I’d like to think we would work well together.
Catrine: Lou Reed, as I absolutely love his songwriting and the rawness to his productions. I also think he would have a few stories to tell and would be a laugh to hang out with.
~ If you could curate a festival stage, what six artists would you invite to perform?
Jon: Family of the Year, Half Moon Run, Bombay Bicycle Club.
Catrine: The Mystery Jets, Sia, and The Staves.
~ Aside from music, do you have any other creative skills? (or obscure talents!)
Jon: I make the best roast potatoes.
Catrine: Cat dancing.
~ If you could have a superpower for a day, what would it be?
Jon: I’d love to be able to fly. And breath underwater. [Two! a bit greedy, Ed]
Catrine: To read people’s minds.
~ Who would you choose to play you in a blockbuster film about your musical lives to date?
Jon: Johnny Depp
Catrine: Cara Delevingne
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