Green Curtains x Thanks Mom Interview
How was the band formed?
The band started in 2022 as a solo project, before I (Erica) convinced Grace to do the big busk with me because I was so nervous. I think I practically begged her to join the band in P.E. After lots of nerve-wracking acoustic gigs, we decided we wanted to expand the band. We put up little flyers in music shops looking for a drummer and a bassist, and found Cillian and Amelie. Now we are all besties <3
How did you come up with the band name?
Unfortunately, there's no really cool and interesting story for the band name. I (Erica) had a group of random band names I'd come up with, and I just let my friends pick their favourite, which was thanks mom!
Who plays which instruments?
Cillian plays the drums, Amelie plays the bass, and Grace and Erica sing and play guitar.
Who are your biggest musical inspirations/ influences?
Cillian: My biggest inspiration when it comes to drummers are John Bonham, Bill Ward, Tom Coll, Ringo Starr, David Lovering and Stephen Morris. My favourite bands are Joy Division, The Beatles, The Pixies, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Fugazi and Queens of the Stone Age.
Amelie: David Bowie's 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust' was what made me realise how much bass could do for a song. I think the artist on that album was Trevor Bolder. I just remember being really fascinated about the fact that if you pay close attention to the basslines on that album, it's like whole new songs are being played underneath the tracks. I don't think I've achieved Bolder's level yet but it's definitely an aspiration.
In the meantime, I'd say I was listening to a lot of Interpol when we were recording the new EP. Carlos Dengler's bass has a real drive and precision and I kind of tried to emulate that on certain tracks like Emo Song or Miss Me Please.
But my biggest inspiration will always be Marceline the Vampire Queen from Adventure Time!
Erica: I love all different types of music! I'm really inspired by the insane production of Magdalena Bay, particularly on their last album 'Imaginal Disc'. I love the songwriting of artists like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, and I absolutely adore noisy and chaotic bands like Car Seat Headrest and Neutral Milk Hotel.
Grace: I'm really inspired by Adrianne Lenker and Alex G when it comes to my songwriting and guitar playing. I also love Mannequin Pussy and Radioheads' music; both of their sounds really inspire me when it comes to writing music.
What is your favourite memory from working together?
Our favourite memory is probably when we got to open for 'The Go Team!'. The moment wefound out about it we were so insanely excited to be playing such a sick gig with an amazingband. The gig itself was in The Button Factory, and was by far the biggest crowd we ever playedto. It was just such a fun and exciting day, with some nerves thrown in too.Also, when Grace wanted to cover Bodies by The Smashing Pumpkins, Cillian went ''Ohyeah I know that one'' and started playing “Bodys” by Car Seat Headrest.
Writer: Sophia O’Connor
Copyeditor: Mia Craven