Recently I caught Everyday Saints, as the support band for Jopy. A Brighton based band who describe themselves as ‘dingepop’. – a mix of upbeat pop rock with ‘witch of the woods occultist fervour.’ In their press release they say to expect- ‘ antlers, wedding dresses, jangle guitar, dance bass, intricate drums, and two women ignoring both you and their instruments, to sing adoringly to one another.’ So I found out more about the music that has inspired and shaped them.
1) What is your earliest music-related memory? What do you remember being played at home when you were a child?
Pip: My first memory ever is sitting with my dad and oldest sister and listening to ‘Amerika’ by Rammstein on vinyl. Other than that, metal, rock, guitar music. Also a lot of classical music.
Jade: My dad is the most musical one out of my parents, having been a breakdancer. I remember him playing a lot of Black Eyed Peas, Chaka Khan and Usher when I was younger. We used to sing a long together in the car a lot, and make up little dances to go alongside. My mum isn’t a casual music listener but she’ll request Tiffany’s ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ at every party.
2) What was the first record that you ever bought? Where did you get it and do you have any recollection of the experience?
Pip: ‘The Open Door’ by Evanescence. I think I was about twelve? I got it at HMV when I was a baby emo, and I was SO gassed about it. I scratched up that CD so badly. My favourite tracks were ‘Lacrymosa’ and ‘Good Enough’.
Jade: It was actually a Pop Princess CD – I remember it included ‘Genie in a Bottle’ – Christina Aguilera, ‘Murder On The Dance Floor’ – Sophie Ellis Bextor, ‘Complicated’ – Avril Lavigne and ‘All The Things She Said’ – T.a.t.u, so an absolutely iconic album. Still one of the best to this day. I remember it came with a DVD of the music videos as well, I used to sit and watch them on repeat.
3) When did you really start to develop a passion for listening to music? How did that come about and what were you into at the time?
Pip: I’m from a family of musicians, so I’ve been surrounded by music forever — which is a huge privilege. However I didn’t find the music I really liked until I was unsupervised on Youtube as a preteen. Bands like My Chemical Romance, Jack off Jill, Kittie, The Birthday Massacre, and Evanescence were a real
gateway for me.
Jade: I’ve always really enjoyed listening to music. I used to dance and sing throughout my childhood. But I mostly listened to the radio, or whatever my dad was listening to, until I was in my mid teens. Then I listened to a lot of different music- I’ve always enjoyed making different playlists for different moods and seasons. I listened to a lot of indie stuff as a teenager and had a big fat crush on Mac De Marco.
4) What was the first gig that you went to? Where was it and what was it like?
Pip: One of my sister’s when I was a kid! She used to sing in bands, and I would be taken to her gigs. I don’t remember it honestly; I was super young. I’m sure it was fab.
Jade: I speak about this at every chance I get. My first gig was The Pussycat Dolls supported by Lady Gaga at the
Bournemouth International Centre in January 2009. I was 9 years old, I didn’t have a clue what was going on, but I loved every second of it, and can remember it so vividly.
5) What are your memories of starting out making music? What was the first song that you learned to play?
Pip: Umm. My older sister used to make music on Garageband and put it on MySpace, and I got my first vocal feature on one of her tracks when I was like six or seven? The song was called ‘Angry Plants’ and she claimed it got sampled by DJs and used in clubs. No idea if that is true. Tragically it got purged offMySpace, so I’ll never know.
Jade: So when I was younger I did a lot of singing competitions. The first song I did was Sweet Child of Mine by
Guns and Roses, when I was 10/11 years old. The first song I ever wrote, was an entry into a local songwriting competition to win a scholarship at a local stage school, and I won. I can’t remember the song at all, I don’t think I would want to.
6) What was your first band/musical project? What music was influencing you at that time? What are your memories of playing your first gig and are there any recordings out there?
Pip: When I inherited my sister’s laptop, I used Garageband every day. When I was fourteen I tried to make an EP by myself using a drum kit, acoustic guitar, and my laptop mic: It’s called ‘Calamityville’ and I still have it on a memory stick. It’s really horrible atonal noise rock. My first “gig” was a school assembly I got bullied into playing drums for in my early teens. We did Nirvana covers, and also a cover of ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ for
some reason. I go to sleep every night praying nobody has footage.
Jade: When I was 13 I released an acoustic cover album, and the artwork was basically a rip off of Adele’s 21 (mine was called ‘13’). My first band was formed during Btec Music, in secondary school. We were called the Miss Shapes. Our debut song was ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl’ by Jet. I know there is definitely a video of that hidden away somewhere.
7) What are your memories of starting Everyday Saints?
Pip: So I started the concept of the band with our producer Matt right before Covid. It was meant to be an electronic two-piece side project for both of us — obviously it’s grown and changed a lot since! Matt and me used to hang out every week to work on our first track ‘Distress Yourself’, then Covid happened and fucked everything up. I remember listening to it in Matt’s bedroom in the dark right before lockdown, and feeling
like we were onto something really cool.
Jade: This question isn’t really for me, as I didn’t start the project. But I came to a few of their gigs before and I really loved what they were doing. I had previously worked with Pip in another project prior, and had known Amelia from uni. I think Pip initially asked me to help manage the band, but then I got more involved before I had even started.
8) Which band/artist do you think has had the biggest influence on your music ? What is it about them that inspires you?
Pip: How can I pick just one! I guess it’s probably Ghost. I’m really inspired by Tobias Forge’s pop songwriting in a non-pop genre. I also take a lot of inspiration from the theatricality and spectacle of the band, as well as the tongue-in-cheek Satanic themes. I love that it’s so theatrical and camp, while still keeping its heart and authenticity.
Jade: My biggest inspiration is Lady Gaga. I love her music, her performances and her style. I love the fact she was putting on massive pop concerts in small bars, way before her fame.
9) Who are some of your favourite current artists? What do you like about them?
Pip: I’m obsessed with Hemlocke Springs. I think she’s got the coolest witchiest voice in the world, and I love how creative she is with her lyrics and imagery. Aside from her, I’m really into Aziya, Johnny Goth, Ethel Cain, Weyes Blood, Mitski, The Last Dinner Party, and Bambie Thug, all for the vibes.
Jade: I’m really into Spiritbox at the moment, I think Courtney LaPlante is incredible. Chappell Roan is a big love at the moment as well, I love the unapologetically pop, femme vibe she has. Me and Pip have also just secured Ghost tickets for 2025, which I am very excited about!
10) If you could cover any song by any artist, what would it be?
Pip: Maniac by Michael Sembello.
Jade: Given the opportunity, I would do a full album of Lady Gaga covers.
Everyday Saints latest single ‘guts/glory’ is out now and you can stream it on Spotify
Everyday Saints online- Instagram/Facebook
Feature by Hayley Foster da Silva
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