ROMONA FLOWERS IN BLOOM.
Tipped to be the next big, UK rock/ electronica combo The Ramona Flowers’ lead singer, Steve Bird tells us about their love of ’80s music and Sydney Mardi Gras.
DNA: We love The Ramona Flowers’ new album, Strangers.
Steve: Thanks very much. We think it is a progression from the first two and a more cohesive piece of work. There’s a groovy ’80s influence on this record.
We used ’80s synths, so that’s where the sound comes from. We love a lot of ’80s music – it’s an influence – but the album has a contemporary twist, too.
The video for Strangers features an amazing dancer and not the band. Why?
A lot of our songs are about what’s going on in the world and relationships. For the video we wanted to do something a bit fun and light-hearted and not as serious as we’ve been on previous albums. The guy was in the final of America’s Got Talent and has a real individual way of dancing, which we liked. He did a great job, but we never got to meet him.
Did you pick up any of his hot moves?
I don’t think I’d do them justice! We are in the next video, though, Ghosts, which is really cool.
Is there any pressure on the band, now, with big expectations for this record?
We definitely put the pressure on ourselves. We are really ambitious this time and want to get to the next level, to get to playing bigger venues, bigger tours and letting more people hear our music.
Do we hear the influence of Coldplay in your music? We’d love to play some of the venues Coldplay play! The electronic side of synth bands like Phoenix and Everything Everything is more where we come from. U2 is also an influence. The lyric in one of your new songs, Same Sun, goes: “We don’t have to hide /What’s the harm in choosing sides.” Can we read anything about sexuality into that?
It’s not directly about sexuality, but about being somewhere you don’t belong, then having the realisation that no matter what side you choose, whether it’s sexuality or anything, we’re all the same at the end of the day.
Do Ramona Flowers having a gay following?
I think so, and we welcome it. We’ve never done any big shows like Heaven in London, but we’d be up for it. I spent a lot of time in Australia when I was younger and went to the Sydney Gay Mardi Gras. It was the most incredible thing I’ve experienced! Electronic bands like The Presets have big gay followings, so we’re definitely up for that. Our genre is great for remixes, too.
What issues are close to the band’s hearts at present? We all have very strong opinions and sometimes different opinions, which can be interesting. Brexit is a complete mess and it’s a strange time with Trump and everything. The guy is a complete nutter.
Are you guys all mates when you’re not playing in the band?
We hang out. We’re like brothers. We spend so much time together on tour. Sometimes we need to not see each other for a couple of weeks. We all live in Bristol quite close to each other.
Ramona Flowers – it does sound a bit like a drag name!
Yes, it definitely could be. In fact, people have confused us – thinking we are a soul singer [laughs.] Blame the guitarist, he named us.
MORE: Strangers is released through Footstomp Music. The band tours Australia in August. For more go to theramonaflowersmusic.com
Yes, Ramona Flowers could definitely be a drag name!