In this interview feature, we get to know the most radicalist up and coming stars on the planet.

This time we speak with scuzzy South London champions Goat Girl.

Rising victorious from the scene that's cultivated the careers of HMLTD, Shame and Sorry to name a few, Goat Girl have proven themselves to be one of the most important guitar bands around with their wry, socially-aware lyrics and warped country sound.

Bursting with effortlessly catchy vocal melodies, formidable guitar hooks and jaunty bass lines, the unrelenting sarcasm of Goat Girl's early singles 'Country Sleaze' and 'Scum' set the tone for a band with bags of potential, who are not afraid to speak their minds. Consisting of Clottie Cream (Lottie), Naima Jelly (Naima), L.E.D. (Ellie) and Rosy Bones (Rosy) on guitars, bass and drums respectively, the quartet's commitment to gigging and loyalty to their local musical community has seen their popularity continue to increase without losing sight of why they started the band.

Goat Girl's latest offering 'The Man' saw the band smashing gender stereotypes in a brilliant tongue-in-cheek video directed by their frequent collaborator C.C. Wade, which depicted an ingenious twist on 'Beatlesmania'. Goat Girl's highly-anticipated debut album is described by the band as "an album that comes from growing up in London and the first-hand experience of our city’s devolution". The 19 track self-titled affair was produced by audio wizard Dan Carey and is set to be released on the April 6^th via Rough Trade Records.

We caught up with drummer Rosy Bones to learn more about the album's making.

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TMR: It felt like there was a definite air of mystery surrounding you guys in the early days with no music online or social media presence. We’re curious, could you tell us a little bit about how you formed and if it was a conscious decision to stay offline?

Lottie, Naima and Ellie formed the band when they were 15/16. Then I (Rosy) joined a few years later at The Windmill. It wasn’t a conscious decision to stay offline we just didn’t see the need for it. We didn’t see it going anywhere really we just did it for the enjoyment.

TMR: Goat Girl is a pretty unusual band name and you've just announced that your debut album is going to be self-titled. Can you tell us how you came up with it and why you've decided to give the album the same name?

Goat Girl is a reference to Bill Hicks’ sketch ‘Goat Boy’ which is actually quite disturbing. Its more an ode to his way of writing and outlook on life, RIP.

TMR: 19 tracks is a brave outing for a debut album and we can't wait to hear all of them. How did you find the recording process and what was it like working with Dan Carey?

It was great, couldn’t have asked for a better, more understanding producer. Dan’s the man. We tracked all the songs in day one, so had the rest of the two weeks to experiment with Dan’s array of weird instruments. The reason it’s so long is cos we decided to put in interludes, which were recorded a month after the album was. That was a fun experience, we got drunk and turned the lights off and just improvised most of it on top of piano ideas that I had.

TMR: Are there any non-musical inspirations that made their way onto the record?

Hm maybe the circus. We’re into films, Lottie likes Lars Von Trier. There’s some spoken word on it by our friend Swamp Dog, I’m into poets like Jock Scot.



TMR: Your video for 'The Man' is one of the best music videos we've seen so far this year. What was the best part about filming it?

Being chased by men.

TMR: If you could create the perfect environment to listen to Goat Girl in what would it be and why?

On the edge of a volcano, surrounded and being circled by flying vultures, with a side of aspic.

TMR: Talking of your sound, do you all have similar musical influences and are there any stand-out artists that have shaped the band you are now?

We all like different stuff, I love Erik Satie and The Residents. Lottie likes Blonde Redhead, Deerhunter and Jane Weaver. Naima likes Gilberto Gill. Ellie likes Woodbine. Things we can all agree on would be country singers like Karen Dalton.



TMR: It's been well documented that despite your increasing popularity you still regularly play intimate shows at The Brixton Windmill. What is it that keeps drawing you back?

Tim Perry, Seamus, Roof Dog.

TMR: As a blog specialising in new music, we'd love to know if you've seen or heard any exciting new bands recently that you'd like to mention?

Suitman Jungle, Black Midi, Great Dad, Broen, Primordial Soup, Pet Grotesque.

TMR: Finally, after the release of the album what does the rest of 2018 hold for Goat Girl?

Spreadin' the good word around the globe, writing and I kinda want a snake too.



Goat Girl is slated to be released April 6^th via Rough Trade Records and catch the band on tour this year.

-Holly Mullineaux