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Issue 107

Monthly newspaper and online publication targeting 18 to 35 year olds. The ultimate guide to the hottest parties, going out and having fun. Music, fashion, film, travel, festivals, technology, comedy, and parties! London, Barcelona, Miami and Ibiza.

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How did you get started as a band? Kat: A few years ago I was doing some solo stuff under the name 'Peach Hex'. I realised how much I wanted to be in a band so put posters up around our hometown and Becca responded to me! Becca knew Charlie through sixth form and I met Amanda through an old musical friend! We had a few band practices using my own material and slowly started to write stuff together. What for you is the ethos of riot grrrl scene and how does it come across in your music? Kat: Riot grrrl to me is using a musical platform to spread an inclusive feminist message. Riot grrrl isn't necessarily punk all the time, it's more of a political movement. We write lyrics about things that matter to us, subjects that we're very passionate about and that's how we promote our message. You call yourselves an activist punk band. How does the activism come into play in what you do? Kat: Again, it's our lyrics. We don't hold back and we don't sugarcoat anything that we say. All of our songs have a specific message and doing so is activism in itself. We're not afraid to use our platform as cis (identifying with their birth sex), white women, to lift the voices of those who need our help. We use our social media platforms too to spread a feminist message. For the past few years we've witnessed a rise in strong female artists globally. How do you see the riot grrrl scene in relation to this? Becca: I see the riot grrrl scene as a more political side of music and punk being its' genre. Playing music being a girl doesn't have to have a message but it's a message in itself. Kat: I agree with Becca, a woman in music doesn't mean you have to make music about feminism. The Riot Grrrl scene is definitely reviving though, but we're yet to break into the mainstream. Is there a hope that through the revival of the riot grrrls you will not be seen as 'women in punk' but just as 'punk'? Kat: That's the dream. Although we make music about feminism, being women is not what defines our music. It'll be nice when we get to a point where we're no longer asked about what it's like to be in an 'all-girl band' and actually asked about our musical style. While riot grrrl movement was widely credited as a feminist movement, not all artists previously felt comfortable with the label. Are you? Kat: To be uncomfortable being called a feminist is to be uncomfortable being seen as someone who supports feminist ideologies, which is totally backwards. Feminism has developed and changed a lot through the years and has become a lot more inclusive. I'm proud to be a feminist and I am 100% comfortable with being called a feminist. What are some of the revisions you wish to make to the original feminism scene? Becca: White feminism is sometimes an issue and we want to remove this. Feminism is for everyone, not just for white women. Kat: Yeah, just to make it way more inclusive. Originally the scene was very white and a lot of women of colour felt incredibly excluded. We want this modern version to include EVERYONE. If it doesn't speak about issues to do with all races, genders, sexualities, riot grrrl will just be about helping white women and that's just white supremacy. Your EP Cherry Baby is out now. What are some of the themes in the songs? Kat: 'Death Becomes Her' is about taking control in an abusive relationship. I was in an abusive relationship when I was very young, and this song reflects how I felt when I finally got the courage to leave. 'Venus' is about being left unsatisfied by a sexual partner, the most frustrating feeling. 'Oh My God' is a song about, basically doing what you want and not giving a shit. It's about those people who think you're rude or a 'snowflake' for finding offensive things offensive. 'Bad Bitch' is another song about leaving a relationship, but more about how you feel after you get over your ex: fresh, bad as hell and like you can take on anything. 'Cherry Baby' is a story song loosely based on the life of Cherie Currie from The Runaways. What kind of future do you envision for yourselves and female artists in general? Kat: I hope it'll be easier for all non-male artists to break through and be taken seriously by people. I hope we continue to be given more chances to show how talented we are and how much we deserve to be where we are. We want to play festivals and travel and inspire people all over. We hope we can continue for as long as possible. 2018 / ISSUE 107 INDIE 47 Peach Club are a girl group with a mission. Dubbing themselves as a activist punk band looking to revive the riot grrrl scene with their music. We caught up with the band to talk feminism, their new EP Cherry Baby and what true activism looks like to Peach Club. " ALTHOUGH WE MAKE MUSIC ABOUT FEMINISM, BEING WOMEN IS NOT WHAT DEFINES OUR MUSIC " follow @ppeachclubb Hanna Sarsa | Guestlist INTERVIEW: PEACH CLUB

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