Issue 4: Pretty Creatures
Issue 4: Pretty Creatures
Welcome to The Band Bible! I’m truly glad to have you here. If you’re a new reader, purpose of this newsletter is to address, break down, and shine a light on the business of being in a band. Each issue, we do this by interviewing (and celebrating!) someone who is making waves through their incredible work with or for independent artists. Learning the business of being in a band is something that is often inaccessible or shrouded in mystery, and it shouldn’t be, so I hope The Band Bible is able to play even a small role in helping to change that.
This issue, we’re straying a bit from our usual format. For the first time, a Band Bible interviewee is, well, a band! Glasgow-based trio Pretty Creatures spoke about their new song, “It’s Coming,” their perspectives on the industry, advice they have for fellow artists, and more. Read on, and be sure to stream the new track – you’ll be glad you did.
What’s something that even your longtime listeners would be surprised to know about Pretty Creatures?
It’s not something we’ve considered, however after talking to other musicians we have discovered that our writing process is unusual.
Usually people begin writing a song either with a melody or a lyric and while we have done this our preferred method is to start with a drum beat and then build from there.
For us, if the drum beat, by itself, doesn’t make us want to move then we don’t pursue the idea.
What can you share with us about the new single?
‘It's Coming’ was the first song we wrote in the new style.
As a band, but in particular Rory, we’ve always been attracted to dark and ethereal sounds and it feels like as the band has evolved, we've found the ability to express that more in our music.
‘It's Coming’ epitomises our approach to how we write and what excites us the most. Lyrically and sonically it's the exact space we want to inhabit.
Over lockdown we were lucky to meet and connect with our good friend Joe Lomax after seeing some of his work, we feel he has brought the songs to life visually in a way that we never could.
We're incredibly excited to set the song loose.
What's something you wish the industry understood about what it's like to be an independent artist?
We wish the industry understood the importance of well-run and properly funded local venues. Music is a cornerstone of British culture and without these small stepping stones you’ll never have the next Oasis.
We certainly wouldn't be here without such venues as they were critical in allowing us to cut our teeth and develop our craft. Music is so essential in all of our lives and we must do whatever we can to help it survive.
That being said the industry needs to realise that even new musicians need recompense for their time.
Is there anything you wish you knew before forming a band that you know now?
Being in a band has taught us our worth both as musicians and as people.
At the same time, it has shown us how little regard musicians are treated with and the lack of value placed on the time and effort musicians spend honing their craft.
If we could give our younger selves one piece of advice it would be to NEVER play pay-to-play shows.
Lastly, which "commandment" would you like to leave behind in The Band Bible?
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!
Also, realise that you and your bandmates will have to sacrifice a lot of personal time to be a part of your band so respect that time, don’t ever let anyone feel like they are wasting their time.
A huge thanks to Pretty Creatures for taking the time for the interview. To follow along with their work, keep up with them on Instagram, Facebook, or via their website. The band is represented by Ghosted PR.
That’s all for this issue, folks. The next one will be out on September 1st.
With happiness and hedonism,
Lindsay Teske