Jess started making music some years ago and advertised for a drummer on Musolist in late 2008. Betty joined in
December that year and VP was born. After trialing other musicians a decision was made to continue on as a duo. Violet Pulp were amongst the lucky winners of a competition run by Damien Gerard Sound Studio to celebrate their 25th anniversary. The band received a free10 – hour recording session, during which the songs for their upcoming EP ‘Something New’ were recorded.
What was the first band you saw live?
Jess: Radiohead
Betty: The Fugees
What’d you learn from them?
Jess: I learnt to not be afraid to experiment with music.
Betty: How important it is to connect with the audience, it’s not just about the songs.
Got any pre-gig rituals?
Jess: I usually go around the room and talk to random people about anything other than the gig, to get my mind off it. I always get nervous before gigs but that negative feeling usually disappears when the music starts playing.
Betty: I always put on my gig shoes & my lucky nail polish!
What do you think the most important issue facing artists in NSW is?
Jess: I think there are too many bands out there and not many of us get the chance to be heard.
Betty: The live music scene in Sydney is pretty small and a lot of venues can only book solo artists / acoustic bands due to noise restrictions etc.. I have been told to play quietly at a couple of venues which really sucked.
If you weren’t musicians, what do you reckon you’d be doing?
Jess: I’d probably get stuck in a dead end job and cry on weekends =)
Betty: A musician. There’s nothing else I want to do.