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Q&A with New Zealand Brother-Sister Electronica Duo – BROODS
Posted On 20 Apr 2016
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Nelson-born brother-sister duo BROODS (Caleb and Georgia Nott) are the most celebrated young band to emerge out of New Zealand in recent times. Announcing their arrival with glossy synth-pop ballads ‘Bridges‘, ‘Never Gonna Change‘ and their self- titled debut EP, through a tireless work ethic, commitment to excellence and unshakable senses of self, they’ve established themselves as an in-demand proposition globally.
“Touring has made us realise how important it is to not just be yourself, but back yourself,” Georgia says. “If you’re not being true, you’ll never stand out.”
Over an ever-growing itinerary of performances across the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, their sound and live show has become increasingly crucial. To evoke an underrated cliché, BROODS have learned how to dance like no one is watching, and sing like no one is listening.
“We’ve loosened up a lot,” Caleb says. “We’re in the moment, and we’re focused on making it special every time.”
Along the way they’ve shared stages with Ellie Goulding, Haim , CHVRCHES, headlined their own sold-out appearances, and set the internet alight with their third single ‘Mother & Father‘. Things went white hot for them with the release of their Joel Little produced debut album Evergreen.
Pristinely polished and perfectly poised, across Evergreen , BROODS deploy vividly atmospheric textures and heady rhythms in counterpoint to measured pop hooks, all delivered with a stadium-sized sense of melody and harmony. A record of euphoric peaks and intimate valleys, it’s the sound of youth maturing into adulthood. Young people growing up lost in the world, and figuring out what that means while finding themselves along the way. Debuting at #1 on the New Zealand Albums Chart and #5 on the Australian Albums Chart, Evergreen’s release was followed by sold-out shows on both sides of the Tasman, leading into their current US tour in support of breakout English pop star Sam Smith.
With equally impressive Soundcloud, Hype Machine, iTunes and YouTube figures behind them, as well as key tastemaker support from Zane Lowe (of BBC Radio 1), preeminent new music blog Pigeons and Planes, and the recent nomination of ‘Bridges‘ for the APRA AMCOS 2014 Silver Scroll Award, Broods are turning their wide-eyed teenage dreams into sustainable realities.
“We’re not taking any of this for granted,” Georgia says. “We keep active and work 24/7,” Caleb adds. “This is what we do now. It’s our life.”
BROODS just released their new single and video for the song, “Free” with more music on the way very soon!
Read more as All Access Music writer, Nicole DeRosa catches up with singer, Georgia Nott between shows. Enjoy their chat below!
You guys got to work with Grammy-award winning producer, Joel Little (Lorde, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, Elliphant) on your debut album, Evergreen (Capitol / Polydor Records). What was it like working with Joel? How did that relationship come about?
We met Joel about 4 years ago through a competition called Rockquest. It’s a battle of the band type thing that runs through all the high schools in NZ. We worked with him through that and then just kept in touch until Caleb and I started writing the EP which Joel produced.
You have scored big chart success with the song, “Bridges,” and now your latest single, “Mother & Father.” What was the inspiration for those tracks? What was the mood that you wanted to capture?
We write about our own experiences so the inspiration behind all of our music changes to what is relevant in our lives at the time. At the time of “Bridges” it was leaving school and friends and being confused about whether I’d handled everything that surrounded that the right way.
“Mother & Father” is pretty self explanatory though. We are extremely close to our parents and being away from them/finding our own way without them always being physically present all the time is really hard.
I understand that you guys have performed together since childhood and grew up in a rather musical family, going along with your parents to performances. Those are some cool parents right there exposing you to the wonderful world of music so early. What was the most memorable show that you’ve been to growing up that had the biggest impact on you?
Mum took me to a Brooke Fraser concert when I was about 11. She was my biggest influence in the way of music at the time and one of the main reasons I wanted to be a song writer. She was impeccable live and my sister, cousin and I snuck back in to meet her afterwards. I was so excited I hugged her way too many times.
Was it only natural that you always wanted to write and perform music? You’re still both very young (Georgia, 20 yrs / Caleb 22 yrs) Was there any other career that you thought about or have thought about pursuing or is music in any capacity it for you both?
Caleb is very into visual art and was studying industrial design before all of this happened.
For me I’ve wanted to be a lot of things. Actress, film director, author, teacher, baker, Silver Fern (the New Zealand netball team), but I never felt more myself than I did when I was singing and writing songs.
Your voices combined create a unique ethereal sound. What is your approach to songwriting together? Do the lyrics or music come first? How do you capture the inspiration when it comes?
It’s always changing because we’re always learning. Caleb naturally leans more towards drum beats and instrumental details, and I’m very much all about expressing myself through lyrics and my delivery of the vocals.
As siblings, I have to ask…How would you describe one another growing up? Did you always get along so well?
We’ve actually always been best friends. When I was about 10 I wanted to be like Caleb so much that I wore his clothes to school one day with all my hair tucked up into a hat haha. All through high school we were still really close and if I was having a break down at school I’d go find him so he could hug me while I cried. We’ve always been extremely protective of one another.
What was your favorite song growing up and why?
Growing up we listened to a lot of Mum and Dad’s music. Every Sunday morning we’d have family breakfast which Dad would cook. He’d put on Neil Diamond or The Eagles, or Amy Grant or Brooke Fraser and sing along to it in the kitchen with a tea towel tucked into his pants.
Do you have any pre-show rituals before you go onstage?
We all just hug and tell each other we’ll be great. It’s the same afterwards, we try to make sure we tell each other how proud we are of each other.
Who is in your current music playlist that you are really digging?
I listen to heaps of Banks, Lykke Li and Bat for Lashes (oh my goodness she is amazing).
What’s on tap next for you guys? What are you most excited about for this year?
Our new album and touring with the lovely Ellie Goulding!!!
To stay up connected with BROODS, visit their socials below!
Website / Facebook / Twitter
