SISTRA are getting ready for the release of their six-track debut EP.
We caught up with the duo to talk about their upcoming release.
Let’s talk about your new single You’re A Lot. What does this track mean to you?
SISTRA – You’re A Lot is a song about that painful pre-breakup stage: you know you have to end it, even though you still love them. It’s our debut single, and we wanted to launch ourselves with an anthem inspired by our own experiences of loving people who are emotionally exhausting.
In the studio, do you have a fear you’d like to conquer?
In the studio, it can be scary to start the process of song-making without leaning on musical references. That said, once you find collaborators who understand your vibe and preferences (like the amazing Alex O’Keeffe – who produced our entire EP!) It feels liberating to trust each other and delve into making something that is truly original.
Where does the creation of a song begin for you?
We usually begin by identifying what mood of song we feel like writing. Then, we’ll find pretty chord patterns (either on guitar or a synth) and hum something over it – so a song might start as a rough phonetic blueprint. We also both keep lyric lists in the notes app on our phones (never look at a girl’s notes…) and so we’ll message these to each other (at all hours) or bring them to a session once we’ve found an evocative instrumental.
Who do you feel inspired by in the music industry?
We’ve got a pretty eclectic mix of inspiration – from alt-pop lyrical heartbreakers: The Japanese House and MUNA to the sonically exciting worlds of PinkPantheress’s garage tracks and Charli XCX’s hyperpop bangers.
As music artists, what are you still trying to learn?
As new artists, we’re keen to learn when to sign off on a song – particularly when it comes to the mixing and mastering. Stepping back and accepting that you (and your ears) have lost objectivity 10 mixes into the process can be important when you’re releasing songs you’ve heard over and over and over again! Luckily there are two of us – so we take turns in steering each other away from finding issues even when we’re happy!
How important is social media to you right now?
As new artists, social media is very important! We resisted TikTok initially but now we’ve found our stride – it’s all about keeping perspective, and not letting it rule your life! Making the best music we can is our priority.
What’s the funniest fan request you’ve received?
As we started our musical careers with covers, we had a fan pester us on all social media forms to release original music. He explained in great detail the type of music we should be creating – even though it was giving mansplaining, he did ultimately say our debut single was what he’d been ‘waiting for’.
Ahead of a gig, do you have any pre-show rituals?
Aside from the essential vocal and instrumental warmups – we love to blast music by powerhouses who inspire us: Charli XCX is essential. Rather than trying to eliminate nerves, we want to befriend them – with a helpful and invigorating dose of creative inspiration from musical queens.
What’s the biggest realisation you’ve had this past year?
Our biggest realisation has been to trust our gut. When you’re starting in the industry, everyone wants to impress on you the “best” way to be successful. Of course, it’s amazing to get help & advice from people who want the best for you, but ultimately, we’re learning not to second-guess our instincts.
What makes you feel nostalgic?
We’re here for noughties movies – we watched them from a young age so soundtracks in films like Orange County, She’s The Man & Princess Diaries are pretty engrained.
