Sisters are doing it for themselves - and mum
Ayoub Sisters Glamis Prom July 15
IF timing – combined with talent, of course – is everything, the Ayoub Sisters have it to a T.
The Scots classical musicians have played the BRITS, the BAFTAs, appeared at the Royal Albert Hall and been signed to one of the country’s biggest record labels, Decca.
They’ve done all that while still in their early 20s. But a collaboration with producer Mark Ronson really propelled them on the road to success.
Their pop-crossover video of his Uptown Funk chart-topper that featured Bruno Mars was spotted by Ronson despite the fact that only a handful of people had seen it on YouTube.
“We had only uploaded it on the Monday and by the end of the week he’d been in touch,” said Sarah, 24, one half of the duo with sister Laura, 21.
“It was several months after Uptown Funk came out but by sheer luck we put it up just as Mark was looking online to pick his favourite versions.”
The girls, from Bearsden near Glasgow, featured in a special presentation of the worldwide smash at the 2016 BRIT Awards.
And it saw the sisters – both play the piano, with Laura playing the violin and Sarah the cello – get a chance to record at the world famous Abbey Road studios, something they didn’t even realise was happening until the day.
“It was a surreal experience from beginning to end,” admits Laura. “The whole thing was set up to be a surprise and we were filmed right through to capture our reactions.
“There is so much history attached to Abbey Road and it’s all displayed very proudly on the walls.
“Everyone who is anyone has recorded in there and now we have as well, which is a lovely feeling. It was a really special day.”
As well as stepping inside Abbey Road, the girls got the chance to perform on the stage at the iconic Royal Albert Hall, playing with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
That was as a result of winning a competition and the appearance, in front of music insiders, led to them getting the prized record deal.
However, the musical seeds had been sown many, many years beforehand.
Their parents came from Egypt a quarter of a century ago with no musical background, but mum Hanan’s choice of listening proved vital.
“Classical music has been around us since the moment we were born,” explains Sarah.
“Our mum had Classic FM on non-stop around the house ever since the station launched 25 years ago. And she would take us to concerts from a really young age.
“We loved everything that was going on and as soon as we got an instrument in our hands we loved that even more.
“We knew that this was what we wanted to pursue.”
The girls were inspired by the teaching at Douglas Academy in Bearsden and Laura has just completed a degree at the Royal College of Music in London.
Studying for that took her to the capital four years ago and she was joined there by Sarah 18 months ago.
Despite all the attractions and temptations of the big city, the levelheaded duo are adamant honing their craft has to come first. And Nicola Benedetti, who has become a friend, is a real inspiration.
“The practice never ends,” says Laura. “You need to work at it until the day you decide you don’t want to do that anymore.
“You can always tell those that have stopped practicing and their name carries them, not necessarily the quality of their playing.
“Nicola spends many, many hours practicing and you can tell because she’s a beautiful player.
“We’ve learned since coming to London you need to be organised to make the time to practise.”
The girls performed their new single Mother’s Pride – a version of the George Michael classic – live on BBC1 during the In Memoriam section of last month’s BAFTA TV Awards.
Their debut album is set for release in September, before which they will perform at the Glamis Prom on July 15.
They admit it’ll be great to play on home soil and with the crazy whirlwind that’s hit them in a short space of time, they says sisterly love is seeing them through.
“We’ve gone through the whole thing with no major disagreements,” adds Sarah.
“We are both patient and tolerant with very similar tastes in music, so any decisions are usually mutual.”