There is an infectious energy about Talon that jumps from every answer they give. Whether they are reminiscing about Battle of the Bands glory, celebrating chaotic summer tour memories, debating dream festival line-ups or sharing stories of pre-show Secret Santas, the band's chemistry is impossible to miss. Built on friendship, humour and a shared love of making noise, Talon are carving out their own space with sharp instincts, unapologetic swagger and a growing catalogue of music that refuses to stand still.
Let’s start at the very beginning—how did the four of you actually find each other, and at what point did ‘Talon’ become the name? Was there a shortlist of terrible band names you’re relieved you didn’t go with?
MK and Mara started Talon together and from what I understand the origin of the name is actually too embarrassing to share so let’s just say they love The Eagles.
When did Talon officially ‘start’?
In 2023, we had been a band for about a year when we entered into Dave’s Lesbian Bar Battle of the Bands. We got runner up (behind Pop Music Fever Dream who rock btw); it was super fun and brought out major competitive energy from us that I think made us all take the band a little more serious than we had before. Some of the feedback we got from the judges is that we had ‘swag’ which we really took and ran with.
If we cracked open a Talon song like a geode, what bands, albums or scenes would we find glittering inside it? Who are the artists that genuinely shaped the way you write, play and scream?
Zena - A Real Romantic by ELIZA taught me how to groove. Package Pt. 2 by Gustaf taught me how to freak it.
MK - Dry Cleaning, Amyl & the Sniffers, 90s riot grrrl bands, Bully, Fiona Apple, Wolf Alice, Charli XCX
You’re handed the keys to your dream festival: where is it, what’s it called, and which three artists—alive or dead—you’re booking above your name on the poster?
Okay it’s called: “Talent”...
Mannequin Pussy, Junglepussy and MUNA.
You’re hosting ‘Come Dine With Me at the Talon House’. What’s on the menu—Starter, Main and Dessert—and which of you is most likely to burn something, sabotage the scoring, or secretly order takeaway?
MK is without a doubt the best cook of the band, and frequent host of our band dinners.
Starter is going to go ahead and be chips that Mara grabbed. We’re probably sitting on the couch gossiping, eating said chips, and waiting for MK to finish cooking (we offer to help but she says it’s ok and hums while she cooks). Then, the main course is probably gonna be “grasta”, or green pasta. It’s a MK speciality, green pasta sauce made out of veggies with some yummy pasta.
How did your summer go—were you living out of vans and green rooms, or was it more pockets of chaos between day jobs? Any festival moments that felt like, ‘OK, this is what we always dreamed of’?
We had a lovely summer! We went on a tour with our friends En Plastic to celebrate the release of our single Britney Spears. Touring in the summer is the best because the weather is perfect and everyone is in the mood for live music. An absolute highlight of the tour was our stop in Norfolk, Virginia. We went to the beach during the day and then played what was one of our best shows ever. Insane moshpit and really kind lovely people who made us feel like celebrities.
Other than that, we are frequently meeting up to film content and music videos, writing demos, or just getting a drink. There were many weeks this summer where we saw each other every day for some reason or another. It’s Talon time!
Where are you with new music right now—writing, recording, scheming?
So we’re in the process of rolling out what will likely be an EP. It’s music that we recorded last April with Greg at Peacedale Studio while on tour. That’ll include ‘Britney Spears’ and ‘I Need Care Credit’ and then a few others that are coming out soon! In the meantime, and on the low…, we’re writing nonstop and making demos in our practice space. Where those will end up, no one quite knows yet. We love multi-tasking and love having things constantly in the works.
Tell me something the average Talon fan absolutely wouldn’t know—maybe a weird pre‑show ritual, a cursed inside joke, or a secret talent one of you has that deserves to be legendary.
We used to do a secret santa before every single show that wielded some pretty funny gifts. We should really get back on that.
If each of you could thank one musical hero for getting you here—someone whose work kept you going or made you pick up an instrument—who would it be, and what would you say to them?
Zena - Honestly, Miley Cyrus. Hannah Montana was such a staple for me as a child, and I really feel like I grew up with her. I would say to her, “hell yeah, Model/Actriz”.
Lauren - Meg White from The White Stripes. My drum teacher always exposed me to women drummers and I was obsessed with her. She had a pretty simple style that was kind of unpolished but extremely high energy and passionate and I relate to this!
Mara - Historically I would say Corinne Tucker. And as of recently it’s Tom Dowse of Dry Cleaning. I would say “I love you.”
MK - When I was in high school my best friend and I became obsessed with The Staves – they were a really important band for me and the formation of my songwriting skills. I learned so much about vocal harmony listening to them, and they also sparked my curiosity around playing and writing music with other people, not just in a solo format. If I got to speak to them now I would say “hey if you ever need a sub on tour I’d love to be your girl.”
Crucial journalism now: what’s your favourite cheese, and which cheese best represents Talon as a band? Bonus points if you can explain your choice like it’s a pretentious wine‑pairing note.
Goat cheese paired with Miller High Life because one of us is lactose intolerant!
Keep up to date with their musical haoppenings via INSTAGRAM
From beaches and mosh pits in Virginia to endless demo sessions and plans for new releases, Talon are clearly a band enjoying every moment of the journey while keeping one eye firmly on what comes next. Their combination of wit, passion and creative restlessness shines throughout this conversation, proving that beneath the jokes, gossip-filled band dinners and questionable cheese pairings is a fiercely driven group of musicians. With fresh music on the horizon and plenty more "Talon time" ahead, they're a band worth keeping both ears on.