We chat to Nashville based indie band GEEZ LOUISE on the day they release their debut EP 'Candy Bruise' into the world......
Geez Louise are a Nashville based indie quartet made up of Sierra Torres on lead vocals, Nick Jude on lead guitar, Tyelen Gibbs on drums and Eli Slaughter on bass.
They draw influence from the likes of DIIV, Alvvays, Lucy Dacus, Claud, Momma, Slow Pulp, Wilco and Stella Donnelly but in my eyes (and ears) they carry their own unique style that nods gently to the aforementioned acts.
Within their debut EP ‘Candy Bruise’ (out 1st July 2022), you will hear a common theme of cheery or upbeat sounds intertwining with angry and/or sad messages. Life is full of mixed emotions, and this group aims to remind you that few things are as black and white as we may expect.
We caught up with lead vocalist Sierra Torres to chat about the recording process, studio time, places to go (and avoid) in Nashville and drinks containing a healthy amount of rum, read on for all of this and more!
You’re based in Nashville, I’m guessing that the competition there is pretty fierce with other bands
Surprisingly, no! The community we’re involved in (the indie/DIY music scene) is so incredibly supportive and encouraging. For the most part, it’s a bunch of friends just trying to make a creative lifestyle possible and accessible.
Your debut EP ‘Candy Bruise’ is released into the world on 1st July, you recorded it in Savannah, Tennessee and Nashville, it was produced by Parker Forbes and Engineered by Brandon Kelly, looking back over the recording process, which phase did you enjoy the most?
Gosh, that’s hard! The entire process gets me so wired, but I think I personally like doing the final touches the most. On our way down to Savannah for the first time to record ‘Solipsism’, Nick had to hop out of the car since it was a couple hour drive on a solid stretch of country and, when he was coming back to the car, we saw he was really excitedly brandishing some rock he found. He happily explained that it was slate. I poked fun at him, but we ended up using it for a tiny bit of background noise at the end of the track (Solipsism). If you listen closely, you can hear something that sounds like a muffled shaker. That would be the slate that Nick found whilst taking a leak….
Are you ‘hands on’ when it comes to being in the studio or do you tend to take a back seat and let the producer/engineer work their magic
Nick and I are back seat producers to the point of probably being infuriating. Parker and Brandon are very patient fellas!
What formats will the EP be available on? I’m hoping a limited edition record with each of your DNA injected into the wax and a super limited hipster cassette tape in lime green….
Oh shoot! How did you know?
The EP covers subject matter including coming of age issues, reconnecting with your youth, paranoia and solipsistic thoughts, trust issues, domestic abuse, romance, toxic relationships, can I ask if these are based on your life experiences or are the tracks based on you looking in from a 3rd person perspective?
I usually write from my own perspective, sometimes with a bit of hyperbole, but generally pretty specific to my experiences. Bomb Shelter is the only track in this EP that I wrote the lyrics (with permission) from a friend’s perspective. My poor boyfriend has gotten a touch stressed at shows about people potentially assuming he was the real life antagonist from that song. He is 100% not.
I’ve been to the US a few times on holiday but have never ventured to Nashville, what would you recommend I do if I were to pay the great place a visit in the future?
Oh man! Well, do NOT go downtown, unless you enjoy dodging puddles of puke and getting squished up next to screeching bachelorette parties. You should definitely check out East Nashville. Several great bars, record stores, coffee shops, etc. It’s where a lot of our local DIY scene tends to flock. The Groove record shop is one of my favourite haunts in East.
We’re coming round to yours for dinner tomorrow night (surprise!), what will you be offering us?
The only thing I can make is salsa, you’ll probably want to eat a small something beforehand.
To say thank you, we’re taking you to a bar, what would you like to drink?
If it has an obscene amount of rum in it, I want it. Thank you.
Where is the best place to keep up to date with your musical movements?
Our most active updates will be found on Instagram
We’d like to thank Sierra Torres from the band for sparing her time to chat to us and we wish her and the band every success for the release of their debut EP ‘Candy Bruise’ which is available from 1st July. To keep up to date with their musical happenings, head to their socials below….
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