Interview: Frankie Rose (without her Outs)

Bursting out from the long shadows of various Brooklyn hipster bands, Miss Frankie Rose finally finds herself fronting up and facing the limelight on her own merit. This year she’s already struck a chord with her excellent 60s-girl-group-cum-garage-pop self titled debut record. More recently though, she’s just announced details of her first tour of the UK which, excitingly, is kicking off tomorrow (dates in full below). Ahead of the tour, we caught up with the former Vivian Girl, Dum Dum Girl and Crystal Stilt to see just what she had to say about life in the limelight and get her thoughts on going it alone as well as hearing what she had to say on some of her favourite records of this year….


Firstly, for the benefit of those less familiar, would you care to introduce yourself and give a reason why people should listen?


I am Frankie Rose. Listen or dont listen. It’s honestly all the same to me!


Good work on the debut album and also news of the first UK tour, where and when was your first live show, what do you remember about it?


My first live show was a generator show in a park in San Francisco. I must have been 20 or something. It was with my first punk band: “Shitstorm”.


What has been the most memorable gig that you’ve played? And how about most memorable you’ve attended?


Watching My Bloody Valentine from backstage last year was pretty incredible.


After playing in the shadows for a few bands in the past, how does it feel to have given up the sticks and finally be out front taking the limelight?


Its been a bit scary, but I get better at it everyday. I’m used to being able to hide. In the front, you just can’t do that, it’s sink or swim.


The album has a lot of high points. ‘Candy’ is my favourite track on there. What is your favourite song on the album and why?


I like the Aurthur Russell cover (You Can Make Me Feel Bad).



If you could have written any song, what would it be and why?
Hmmm. Too many to count.
The record drew lots of Phil Spector comparisons, who would you say are your main songwriting influences?
I wish I could write songs as well as Kate Bush.
It’s just gone Thanksgiving, how did you spend the holiday?
In Spain at the winter Primavera festival.

It’s getting to that time of year again, where we all become fascinated with lists, what are your top three albums of this year?
Tamaryn The Waves
Wild Nothing Gemini
Deerhunter Halcyon Digest

Catch Frankie Rose and The Outs during their brief UK tour:
December
10 – Manchester, St. Philips Church w/Wooden Shijps
11 – Sheffield, The Harley
12 – Glasgow, Nice n Sleazy
13 – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
14 – London, The Luminaire “Memphis Xmas Carol” w/ Banjo or Freakout and Elephant