In our latest Band Spotlight, we chat to Sheffield noise-pop act, Duck about their influences, and more. Duck are: Sarah Griffiths (vocals/guitar), Chris Minor (synths/beats/vocals), Evangeline Spachis (guitar/drums/vocals/keys).
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S] How do you define success as a band?
Our initial goal with Duck was to only work with people we want to work with, play with bands we want to play with in places we want to be to a fun, appreciative audience that is free of dickheads. Also, to never be part of an otherwise all-male line-up again. By our own definition of success we are currently smashing it.
S] What motivates you outside of music?
Family, friends, ending the patriarchy, telling fascists to shit off, LIDL cider..
S] What have been some band highlights so far?
Making new friends, getting to meet and play with artists we really rate (like Suggested Friends, ILL, Mayshe-Mayshe ….) and for promoters doing good things (Loud Women/Get In Her Ears/Basement Scene etc.). There are too many names to name really so apologies for the inevitable glaring omissions.
Our involvement with The Audacious Art Experiment (soon to be renamed and re-launched DIY space in Sheffield) has to be up there. We’ve helped to put on a number of women-led nights at the space including an International Women’s Day charity event this year. LIINES (another favourite of ours) headlined that and it was brilliant. Hopefully we’ll get to do that again next year.
S] What goals do you have for the band in 2019?
We’ve just welcomed our new member Evangeline into the fold having lost our beloved band mate Ange to the lure of the Highlands some months ago. We’re busy teaching her the ways of Duck, so that’s an immediate priority. Can’t wait to see what she brings to it all (initial signs are that it is going to be a blast.)
At the moment we’re writing music for an indie horror film by Sheffield film-maker Melanie Gourlay that’s going in to production next year. We’ve worked with her before on the period-related horror short “Flo”, which is ace and you should check it out. If all goes to plan we’ll release those recordings as an EP that ties in with the film. We’re also working on the follow-up to our debut LP “FaceAche” at the same time so we will definitely have a fair amount of new music coming out by the end of the year. Another big goal is to play as many festivals as possible. We will also keep putting gigs on at our local DIY space and promoting brilliant women.
S] How do you look back at ‘FaceAche’ now?
With great affection. It was such a freeing, creative time and as far as the lyrics go, a much-needed mind-dump for me, if you’ll pardon the expression. We recorded it with our ever-patient and inventive engineer/producer friend Tom Henthorn and it was just the most enjoyable studio experience me and Chris have ever had. Getting Ange in part way through was just the icing on the cake. She was a total first-timer as far as being in a band goes and her enthusiasm was so infectious. We’re really proud of it. Can’t wait to get cracking on the next release with the new line-up!
