Bleached - Sound In The Signals Interview

I recently had the chance to interview Bleached. Click READ MORE to check out the interview!

For those who aren’t familiar with your background you both were in Mika Miko before you formed Bleached. Can you tell me a little about how you got started playing music and how long after the Mika Miko break-up did you start writing songs for Bleached?

Jennifer: Jess and I used to go to a lot of shows together throughout highschool and one day we were like why aren't we in a band? So we taught ourselves how to play guitar and bass, gathered friends together and that's how Mika Miko stated. Eventually, years later, we all wanted to do other things and it was hard to do while so much was going on with Mika Miko. So we all decided to disband. But towards the end in late 2009 Jess and I started writing songs together for fun just to see what we could come up with. That's how Bleached started.

You released the Carter 7 inch and Francis 7 inch a while back and people really responded to that release. What made you pick those songs for those releases and where did they idea for the artwork for each come from (they both look somewhat inspired by The Smiths)?

We first started by recording the first two songs with our friend on his 8 track tape machine. Those songs were released on the Francis 7inch. Then after that another friend wanted to try and record us so we showed him a few songs and he picked his two favorites and we recorded those for the Carter 7inch. And yes! Totally inspired by Smiths art. Or even just bands that have a continuous art theme going on. The photos are both stills from these films but I like how they are risqué and could possibly make someone uncomfortable.

You just released a new song titled “Searching Through The Past” can you tell me a little about the song writing process for that song?

Honestly, I was going through a really intense break up and months later i was still depressed over it so that song just kinda came out. But i was really happy when i wrote it because i feel like the verse reminds me of a Fleetwood Mac / Lindsay Buckingham song and the chorus reminds me of a rolling stones song.

For those who don’t know you are sisters. What is it like working in a business like relation with a sibling? Do you ever have any Oasis (Gallagher brother) moments?

Haha, I think Jess and I fought enough as kids that we got it out of our system. We never fight now. We understand each other so well. We are best friends.

I was reading some interviews were one of you spent time in New York and the returned to California. I know Bethany (from best Coast) had a similar situation. What is it about California kids moving to New York that inspires them to return home and write this great vibrant fun rock music?

I think when you grow up in California, its hard to live anywhere else because you get kinda spoiled by the weather and being surrounded by so many good cool people. Going to NY teaches you a lot but also stresses you out a lot. I think being there makes you realize what you really wanna be doing. Kinda like when you are dating the wrong boy but it helps you realize what boy you really wanna be with.

I heard during the off-time between Mika Miko and Bleached one of you were going to school for fashion. What about fashioned interested you the most and would you like to pursue a career in that as well at some point?

Yeah, I did after Mika Miko, when I felt I was done with the music world... that didn't last long though. But I see fashion as an art and a way to creatively express myself. Something about designing clothes excites me. Even fashion in general is exciting to me. I was actually saying the other day that I will probably get back into fashion once I feel too old to be playing music.

Are you currently working on a full length? If so is there a possible release date (or time-frame) you’d like to have the album out? No, we have just been writing lots of songs. Either we will release one more 7inch or a full length. Not sure yet!

What is your favorite album so far this year and why? We both love the Black Lips album. Its so catchy and fun and sounds so good. I also really really liked the Veronica Falls record that came out. I feel like the lyrics are so good and the songs hit these notes that you didn't see coming. It's so good!

I guess that about wraps it up. Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. Do you have any closing comments you’d like to make?

Every night I've been putting honey in my beer to save my voice and it works!

(Photo Credit: Ward Long)