Altsounds - Altsounds Interviews: With ... FLAMBOYANT BELLA

Let us introduce you to My Space teen sensations Flamboyant Bella. The four piece from Hitchin in Hertfordshire, aged between 17 and 19, are a proper 21st Century phenomenon with a staggering 1.5 million hits on their My Space to date - they recently topped the indie and electro unsigned charts on MySpace - a massive feat by the band. They write songs about teenage life, love and general naughtiness. Singer, guitarist and synth player James McBreen is a brilliant songwriter who has already penned a ton of accomplished pop tunes with witty, insightful lyrics, while front woman and guitarist Flo Kirton mesmerizes with her quirky, distinctive vocals. Further members of the foursome are talented musical brothers Mitch on bass and 'Doreen' on drums, providing the perfect rhythm section to any band.

The band kindly took some time out after their wonky pop tour to speak to altsounds...

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[altsounds] Firstly, the band name? Pretty random don’t you think?
[Flamboyant Bella] Yes, fairly. You'll get used to it though.

[altsounds] Myspace has been a great credit to your success, how did this happen?

[Flamboyant Bella] It happened from day one, really. As soon as we put new music up, we were getting thousands of plays. The fans really spread the word too.

[altsounds] Number 4 in the top Unsigned bands chart, pretty successful huh?

[Flamboyant Bella] Oh hell yeah! It's so flattering. We really do owe myspace a lot.

[altsounds] Is it true you only had two weeks prior to your debut gig?

[Flamboyant Bella] It is true. The previous singer was away on holiday, so i was grabbed in as a replacement, and we just smashed it. It was sold out, and the best day of my life!

[altsounds] What has been your most memorable gig so far?

[Flamboyant Bella] Well, our first gig, but probably playing Newcastle for the first time ever no a tour last year and selling it out. I actually got nerves again!

[altsounds] Ever had any major cock-ups on stage?
[Flamboyant Bella] Many, but you learn to cover them up. I think the worst are alcohol induced. So we tend to avoid drinking too much before stage.

[altsounds] You look pretty young, is it quite intimidating fitting all this band nonsense with your social lives?

[Flamboyant Bella] We're coming up to 20. But we're "tweens" apparently. We look younger than we are... we do all have very healthy social lives. We all enjoy going out, all the time, but we appreciate the opportunity we have with Flambo so we're not gonna risk that. We're all really close friends anyway, so we're quite lucky!

[altsounds] How did you feel it went in the studio recording your album? You think it will come across how you want it too?

[Flamboyant Bella] Gosh, it was truely amazing. It was produced with Tim Bran, and he's just so lovely. He 'got' our music from day one, which many don't, and he's really helped us find our sound. It's gonna be really special when it's released.

[altsounds] The Wonky Pop tour looks great, are you all excited?

[Flamboyant Bella] Well we just got back from it cos i'm a bit late answering your questions haha... but it was incredible. We partied like hell, and made loads of new friends and fans, which is what touring's all about!

[altsounds] Headlining tour too, how does it feel? All the hard work paying off?

[Flamboyant Bella] We work very hard. People think we don't because all we do is write music, and rehearse in between gigging, but we've come on so much even since the year, and that only comes with hard work, yeah?!

[altsounds] How does it feel when you have hundreds of screaming fans singing along to the lyrics?

[Flamboyant Bella] I could never describe the feeling, because it's just too flattering. Our fans are amazing and they always put on as much of a show at gigs as we try to.

[altsounds] What made you decide to get a band together?

[Flamboyant Bella] Hitchin is a town of music. So many people are in bands here, and we have our own music festival. It's pretty much forced upon us kids.

[altsounds] Anything else you would like to add?

[Flamboyant Bella] Great interview, cheers man!

Thanks!

Jack

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