Interview | Calva Louise discuss their Debut Album and how it all began!

Calva Louise tell us their favourite bands, and how it all began…

You need to get to know Calva Louise. The bubblegum rock trio are about to release their debut album, ‘Rhinoceros’, which, if their current five singles are anything to go by, is going to be huge. Following the album release, they’re taking off around the UK for a headline tour. They have even got a comic based around the tracks on ‘Rhinoceros’.

In case you’ve somehow missed out on the hype about these guys, then all you need to know is you simply have got to see them live- I promise you, you will not be disappointed. I had the pleasure of talking to front woman Jess, so you can get familiar with the band before they hit the big time.

So where’s the rhinoceros concept come from? Is it one of your spirit animals? A dream pet?

Rhinoceros comes from Eugene Ionesco’s play of the same name. We took influence from his play, where people suddenly start becoming Rhinoceros!

How did Calva Louise start?

We formed in London in August 2016. Alizon and I went to school together and decided to move to London where we played a bit together and met Ben at a gig! Then we asked him if he wanted to record some demos with us and then the band started!

What song on ‘Rhinoceros’ are you most excited for us to hear and why?  

I think we all have different songs that we’re excited about! The song No Hay is very different because it’s way more chilled than other songs we’ve released before and also it’s in Spanish!

On New Years Eve you (Jess) played with Bobby from Strange Bones and Thomas and Matty from The Blinders under the supergroup ‘Secs’. How did this happen?

Bobby and I started writing songs together and started recording some demos too almost a year ago! We had the opportunity to play Night people on NYE so we asked our friends Matty and Tom from The Blinders if they wanted to help us out and play the gig with us! We did 3 rehearsals together and played the gig! It was so fun and it felt right, I really hope we can do that again!

Who was the first artist you saw live? Do you still enjoy listening to them?

First artist I saw live was the Mexican band Molotov, and I still love them!

What’s been your favourite gig you’ve played so far?

We enjoy all the gigs! But opening for one of our heroes, Albert Hammond Jr was a dream come true!

If you could tour with any artist, living or dead, who would it be?

Queens of the stone age! It’s a band that has influenced us a lot and would love to be able to see them live everyday, or well, for as long as the tour lasts!

2018 has been a big year for you guys and 2019 is set to be even bigger, with an album release and a UK tour in the first few months. So as we move into the new year, what’s been a stand out memory for the band from 2018?

Touring with our friends, that’s been one of the best experiences we’ve ever had!

And finally, recommended us a band you’re really digging right now.

There’s so many! Strange Bones, Nova Twins, The Blinders, Kid Kapichi, Rascalton, Lucia, Snash, The Dunts, Avalanche Party to cite a few!

Thanks so much for taking the time out for this interview guys!

Pre-Order the Debut Album – Click Here

Catch Them Live!

MARCH

02 – Think Tank? Underground, Newcastle

03 – The Garage (Attic Bar), Glasgow

05 – Oporto, Leeds

06 – Night People, Manchester

07 – The Lexington (BBC Intro), London

08 – Jacaranda, Phase One, Liverpool

10 – The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

11 – The Louisiana, Bristol

12 – Clwb lfor Bach, Cardiff

13 – The Prince Albert, Brighton

Lottie Catrin

I’m an 18 year old in South Wales with a love for live music. Aspiring journalist who just wants to make a mark on the DIY indie scene. Love nothing more then a good old dance with my pals. Have a particular soft spot for animals and bass guitars. My favourite bands are Strange Bones and Enter Shikari- I love energetic artists that aren’t afraid to cross genres.