LUCIDMEDIA

On the line with Koogaphone

Written by Adam A. Donaldson Wednesday, 17 June 2009 09:58

London, UK musicians Julie Gravell and Rachael Carter were travelling around Poland when inspiration found them. They were “staying in very dodgy hotels with a clientele of mainly gentlemen,” describes Gravell of the trip, and around the hotel they kept finding cards featuring pictures of hot girls and a phone number.

They returned to England and in short order put a band together and got a gig. They were ready to go, sans one promotional consideration: they needed a name. Looking in her pocket, Gravell found one of the hot girl cards and a name: Koogaphone. “The rest of the band took some convincing, but a few beers and all was settled,” adds Gravell.

And just like that, one of the most exciting acts to come out of the UK in recent years, christened themselves after a Polish phone sex line.

The origins of the band were no less strange either. Gravell met Carter through “a crazy ex-boyfriend who happened to be dating both of us at the same time,” while drummer Matt Conyngham came to their attention thanks to an ad in the New Musical Express. “We liked the fact he had been a child model and was a fan of bingo,” says Gravell. “We knew he would be suitably strange.”

In those first few gigs, the members of Koogaphone heard the word “quirky” a lot to describe their music, even Gravell agrees that they started off more “niche” then they would have wanted. “I used to write songs that would not have sounded out of place in some dark, family, unfriendly musical,” says Gravel. “I think we have evolved into a band who is a lot more in tune with the importance of a chorus and a hook. We have also had the good fortune to have worked with some wonderful producers.”

Gravell grew up in Newcastle under two big musical powerhouses: her mum’s beloved Bowie and Joplin vinyl and her step-father’s predilection for bagpipes. “I have three sisters who all loved pop and dance [but] I preferred my mum’s vinyl,” she says.

“I used to write pages of song lyrics although really it was poetry as I could not play any instruments,” says Gravell of her musical development. “At 14 I got one of those key boards that looked like a guitar. I thought I was it!”

At university she taught herself how to play the guitar and formed a “drunken duo” with an accordion playing friend, though they “only played at three in the morning when everyone was in bed and we both played different songs but at the same time.” She then moved to London with a dream to start a proper band.

Playing with Koogaphone probably brought more success than the younger Gravell, jamming with an accordion player at three in the morning, could have dreamed about. Praise has followed the band since they started hitting the clubs around London. “We try not to take it too serious because if we did we would have a lot to live up to,” she says. “And it is a bit hard to be Mark Bolin, Joplin and the whole of Aerosmith in one gig. Although the hair helps!”

Making good music helps too, and this fact has gotten Koogaphone a fanbase that spans countries and regions across the globe, including Italy, German and Canada. “Certain songs are always received the same and seem to transcend the language barrier,” says Gravell. On the homefront though, English audiences can be fickle, but Gravell has nothing but love for Koogaphone’s foreign fans. “Canadian audiences seen more willing to get involved and I do enjoy a friendly heckle. In Europe, they do some crazy dancing and that I like.”

As for their favourite show, Gravell says that the band agrees that playing the Glastonbury Festival was indeed a highlight, although, “it was like a cider sodden quagmire and we did have a power cut on the opening chord. But the crowd were brilliant.” Still, Koogaphone also like playing to smaller crowds as well. “I love the little rock ‘n’ roll venues,” she says. “The 12 Bar in London and the Bovine [Sex Club on Queen West] in Toronto are equally rock ‘n’ roll.”

Playing North By Northeast twice before, Gravell says that the band loves the festival and this year, they’re looking forward to promoting their new album Rocket Science, which will be released in the UK and Europe this September with a North American release to follow. Gravell calls it the festival a perfect launching pad. “And more important [there’s] Canadian beer, parties and the wonderful Canadian folk,” she adds.

Next on Koogaphone’s list of things to accomplish musically is the aforementioned album in September and lots of tour dates in the UK and Europe this summer. They also recently finished the video for the single “Just Like Me,” which is currently playing on MTV Europe and they will soon be filming one for “Killer Looks.” “That is going to be cool,” says Gravell, “as we are going to be the featured band in a much hyped zombie movie. I can't say too much on that yet but expect an interesting video.”

Gravell adds that she’s also begun writing songs for Koogaphone’s next album and will demo tracks between tour dates. Near year’s end, they’ll leave for tours in Japan and Australia where they’ll undoubtedly pick up more fans. After that, it’s on to the next job, says Gravell. “If you want to call this a job,” she adds, “Rach and I have had to dress up as gorillas for money. Now that was a job!”

Koogaphone
El Mocambo (Up)
Friday June 19th, 11:00 pm