NE Build A Playlist #02 Robyn Walker

Photo - Ryan Young

Playlist

Hey! Robyn here (she/her). I sing with my bands PICNIC and bigfatbig and generally make a lot of racket about the amazing music scene we have in the North East. The next song I’m putting out is with bigfatbig - it’s called Don’t Wanna Be Sad and it’s out on the 25th of this month... there are so many influences that have gone into our sound, but here are the 5 most prominent.

Kate Nash - Made of Bricks

TRACK FOR PLAYLIST: Skeleton Song

It’s hard to believe that this album came out in 2007 as it still just feels so poignant today. Kate Nash has always been towards the front of the pack of the riot grrrl movement, and whilst we wouldn’t necessarily consider ourself one of those bands, it’s still bloody inspiring to see badass women paving the way for others. She just has a knack for writing catchy songs that are often tongue-in-cheek, but inevitably paint such a story and leave you thinking. She is always so true to herself and the authenticity of everything she writes never fails to shine through.

The Subways - Young for Eternity

TRACK FOR PLAYLIST: Oh Yeah

This band have been such an influence on every facet of me as a person. I was introduced to them at around age 15, and the exposure to such raw, politically-charged rock music at such a pivotal time in my life was really important. Musically and personally, The Subways are so inspiring to us as a band - their records are captivating and their live show is one of the best I’ve ever seen - and they’re a band I come back to time and time again. I also think it’s invaluable to see women like Charlotte doing their thing in more obscure bands, showing that you don’t need to be at the top of the charts to be successful.

Alanis Morrisette - Jagged Little Pill

SONG FOR PLAYLIST: Right Through You

I mean, you don’t need me to tell you to listen to this album. An absolute classic, by one of the best to EVER do it. Emotions at totally opposite ends of the spectrum are captured and divulged so articulately, and the narratives are told with such energy (whether that’s anger, love, or anything in between) that listening to this album truly becomes an experience. I believe every word that comes out of her mouth, and feel all of the emotions that she does. Consistently telling such believable stories is a really rare talent and for that reason Alanis is an enormous inspiration to us.

The Front Bottoms - In Sickness and in Flames

SONG FOR PLAYLIST: Jerk

Anyone that knows us knows how much we love The Front Bottoms. They’re one of the main reasons we make music at all. I’ve absolutely loved everything they’ve ever put out, and although it seems to be an unpopular opinion, I truly believe that each release is better than their last, and which band doesn’t want that for their music? Brian Sella is a poet through and through. No band make me feel my feelings as much as this band - whether I want to or not. The thing I love most about The Front Bottoms is the dichotomy in their lyrics: one second there are a million and one metaphors encasing the true meaning behind the lyrics, and the next they are saying what they mean so explicitly it feels... almost too easy. TFB will always be one of my favourite bands and In Sickness and in Flames is an amalgamation of everything I love about them.

Darwin Deez - Songs for Imaginative People

SONG FOR PLAYLIST: Alice

I think Darwin is another artist that I found at a really important time in my life. His third album, Double Down, was actually the album that sent me head over heels, but over time SFIP is the one I love the most. Listening to his music was one of the first times I’d experienced this take on the indie genre: jazz chords, a LOT of lyrics, strange time signatures and polyrhythms paired with the signature drawled out American accent - on paper it doesn’t work, but in practice it’s a perfect contradiction. Upon listening to our music in comparison to Darwin’s, you may think there’s no similarities, and you may be right! However, although we LOVE his sound, it’s not what inspires us as such. What does, is 1) his disregard for the rule book, 2) the years of practice which have so obviously been dedicated to his craft and 3) the musicianship and pure talent at his fingertips as a result.