Veronicas happy to evolve
Talented twins Lisa and Jessica Origliasso, better known as The Veronicas, are definitely team Tay-Tay, writes Ashley Ropati.
In My Blood. The Secret Life Hook In My Blood, between DJs, producers, vocalists, different artists – you know, you see bands welding together and making side bands, it’s just a crazy expansion of minds and that’s exciting for us.’’
Asked if there’s any artists they would kill to collaborate with, they respond in unison: ‘‘Taylor Swift. I think she’s a brilliant songwriter.’’
Unbothered by the drama that currently engulfs Swifty, the duo admit songwriting and a strong written voice is paramount when it comes to collaboration and creativity. ‘‘We were working as songwriters first, so for us we really look at songwriting as a . . . mecca,’’ Lisa say.
‘‘We love working with all kinds of different artists, from anyone to Fiona Apple, we got to work with Billy Corgan – we got to work with some heavy-hitters, incredible, incredible people that we’ve loved forever. Taylor (Swift) would be amazing. Jay Buchanan, who’s in a band called The Rival Sons, very rock’n’roll, I’d love to work with Eminem. He’d be awesome.
‘‘On the songwriting front, we love Justin Tranter and Julia (Michaels) – I mean, there’s so many incredible creative minds out there these days, so yeah,’’ she says. ‘‘Let’s just work with them all.’’
They began their careers as wide-eyed teenage twins, a pianist and a guitarist, respectively. The Veronicas emerged as a sort of Vanessa Carlton-meets-Alanis Morissette mash-up. Offering insidiously hooky anthems that soon saw them expand their horizons and break new ground in the United Kingdom, Asia, Europe and later the United States.
‘‘We say the thing that really makes those experiences special are the fans,’’ Lisa says.
‘‘It is the crowds, they all do kind of differ from each other but we feel so lucky with our fans, they’re so passionate, I mean that passionate. They sing the lyrics back to you, they give us little notes, they pour their hearts out to us.’’
‘‘We really choose to immerse ourselves in the music, we’re really reactive to what’s going on around us,’’ Jess adds. ‘‘I think that for us, you know, it’s hard not to be. It’s hard not to react to your surroundings, if you’re staying on top of what’s going on in the world, and I suppose, by default, staying relevant.’’
The pair admit that after more than a decade of working closely together, the sibling dynamic isn’t without its ‘‘challenges’’.
‘‘On a personal front, I think of course it presents challenges. We’re sisters, we grew up in the public eye and in each other’s personal space,’’ Lisa says.
The duo recently dominated headlines after a Facebook commenter offered to pay for their groceries, demanding the girls were ‘‘too thin’’ and needed to ‘‘eat something’’.
The sisters took him up on his offer, sending a lengthy list of grocery items that included everything from almond milk to organic potatoes. The pair were praised for taking a stand against body shaming and online trolls.
‘‘It hasn’t always been an easy ride, a lot of therapy, and understanding boundaries – no, we’re human beings.’’
‘‘Like any career,’’ Jess adds. ‘‘I think that the dynamic in general, it’s all cyclic,’’ she says.
‘‘As far as the band and being able to interact with media and fans and the rest of it, it’s been so incredible to have each other. And obviously collaborating with someone who I think is one of the most brilliant songwriters in the industry, it’s pretty good. It’s a pretty good position for me.’’
‘‘Oh, thanks Jessie,’’ Lisa muses.
As for how they’d handle it if one of The Veronicas decided, after 11 years together, that it was time to go it alone?
‘‘We would have to kill the other one,’’ laughed Jess. ‘‘If she ever tried to leave the convent.’’
‘‘Who knows what the future holds,’’ added Lisa. ‘‘We’re always open to it, I wouldn’t want to stifle any part of her creativity or her need to break out and do her own thing. I love her more than anything.’’ ● The Veronicas’ new single In My Blood is available for download on iTunes and streaming on Spotify now.