Theoretical Girl: Theory Test
Artist:
RWD
Her real name is Amy, but you can call the Southend singer Theoretical Girl. Hattie Collins talks stilettos and songwriting with the up and coming new act.
“I didn’t realise that I was hotly tipped! Very nice of you to say so,” says a bemused Amy Turnnidge when RWD points out that she’s becoming a name on everyone’s lips. “I don’t really get much attention, if I have been, I’m oblivious to it,” she insists. “It’s always flattering if people write about you, even if it’s not so positive - at least they know I exist!”
We should count ourselves lucky we do know the XL signed singer exists; initial ideas saw Turnnidge plan to disguise herself behind the Girl moniker. “A friend of mine wrote some lyrics about being a Theoretical Girl and I stole it from there,” she laughs of the name. “I initially thought that I would never play live shows, or play them in some form of disguise so that no one would ever know who I was.” Er, wow. “Yeah,” she laughs. “Luckily I realised it was a bit of a rubbish idea, but the name stuck.”
Something that didn’t quite stick was staying in her borntown of Southend. For a girl who likes rocking round in crazy clothes, the Essex hamlet wasn’t the one. “I’ve escaped now, but at the time it was a miserable place to grow up,” T.G. remembers. “It’s a town full of clones. I was yelled at in the street for looking a little different countless times!” It seems like things have improved recently, though? “Yeah, you have These New Puritans and The Horrors, a little scene has sprung up.”
Nowadays, she keeps her east end residing to Zone 2, but her sound is spreading all over. The strangely dressed singer is getting rave reviews thanks to tracks like Red Mist and forthcoming single Another Fight. Combining a range of sounds played by herself, her music is best described as indie, but with a whole lot of kooky soul. “I have lots of different sounds and styles,” she agrees of the alternatively shiny and sinister tracks produced by Luke Smith. “He makes what’s in my head a reality. He’s extremely talented,” she says of the Clor sound-sculptor. While not influenced by other music makers as such, it’s little surprise to discover that Theoretical Girl is into the likes of Nick Drake, Dusty Springfield, The Specials and Fleetwood Mac. “I read a lot,” she adds. “Classics mainly, such as Dostoyevsky and Hesse, perhaps that’s reflected in my darker songs!”
Damn straight - just check out lyrics like “The Red Mist controls me...” What gets the Girl really riled? “Bad manners. Bands who succeed because they are stylish, rather than because they have good songs. People who sweat the small things too much,” she decides with a nod.
Something that Theoretical Girl couldn’t be accused of is getting her ’60 style knickers in a twist. While she’s signed to XL, it’s only for two singles, but she’s chillin’. “The search for an album deal continues,” grins the girl who is an occupational therapist working with teenagers with mental health problems. “I only want one so that I can be a full-time musician. I’m not interested in selling lots or being famous. I would just like to have the opportunity to have a creative job that I love, even if it’s just for a little while.”
We have a strong feeling that the only occupation she’ll be doing for the next few years will be music related. Just have a listen to Another Fight if you don’t believe us. “It’s a simple, melodic, poppy song about that horrible moment when you’ve just had a fight and want to make everything alright again,” she says of the single. “We can all relate to that! Hopefully, after that the album will come. Even if I have to do it all myself and release it for free to those who want it!” A good idea in both theory and reality wethinks!
What watch do you rock?
“I’ve never owned a watch. I’m not sure why, but because I’ve managed without one this long, it seems silly to get one now!”
Another Fight is out 19 May. MySpace.com/iamtheoreticalgirl
RWD Magazine
Her real name is Amy, but you can call the Southend singer Theoretical Girl. Hattie Collins talks stilettos and songwriting with the up and coming new act.
“I didn’t realise that I was hotly tipped! Very nice of you to say so,” says a bemused Amy Turnnidge when RWD points out that she’s becoming a name on everyone’s lips. “I don’t really get much attention, if I have been, I’m oblivious to it,” she insists. “It’s always flattering if people write about you, even if it’s not so positive - at least they know I exist!”
We should count ourselves lucky we do know the XL signed singer exists; initial ideas saw Turnnidge plan to disguise herself behind the Girl moniker. “A friend of mine wrote some lyrics about being a Theoretical Girl and I stole it from there,” she laughs of the name. “I initially thought that I would never play live shows, or play them in some form of disguise so that no one would ever know who I was.” Er, wow. “Yeah,” she laughs. “Luckily I realised it was a bit of a rubbish idea, but the name stuck.”
Something that didn’t quite stick was staying in her borntown of Southend. For a girl who likes rocking round in crazy clothes, the Essex hamlet wasn’t the one. “I’ve escaped now, but at the time it was a miserable place to grow up,” T.G. remembers. “It’s a town full of clones. I was yelled at in the street for looking a little different countless times!” It seems like things have improved recently, though? “Yeah, you have These New Puritans and The Horrors, a little scene has sprung up.”
Nowadays, she keeps her east end residing to Zone 2, but her sound is spreading all over. The strangely dressed singer is getting rave reviews thanks to tracks like Red Mist and forthcoming single Another Fight. Combining a range of sounds played by herself, her music is best described as indie, but with a whole lot of kooky soul. “I have lots of different sounds and styles,” she agrees of the alternatively shiny and sinister tracks produced by Luke Smith. “He makes what’s in my head a reality. He’s extremely talented,” she says of the Clor sound-sculptor. While not influenced by other music makers as such, it’s little surprise to discover that Theoretical Girl is into the likes of Nick Drake, Dusty Springfield, The Specials and Fleetwood Mac. “I read a lot,” she adds. “Classics mainly, such as Dostoyevsky and Hesse, perhaps that’s reflected in my darker songs!”
Damn straight - just check out lyrics like “The Red Mist controls me...” What gets the Girl really riled? “Bad manners. Bands who succeed because they are stylish, rather than because they have good songs. People who sweat the small things too much,” she decides with a nod.
Something that Theoretical Girl couldn’t be accused of is getting her ’60 style knickers in a twist. While she’s signed to XL, it’s only for two singles, but she’s chillin’. “The search for an album deal continues,” grins the girl who is an occupational therapist working with teenagers with mental health problems. “I only want one so that I can be a full-time musician. I’m not interested in selling lots or being famous. I would just like to have the opportunity to have a creative job that I love, even if it’s just for a little while.”
We have a strong feeling that the only occupation she’ll be doing for the next few years will be music related. Just have a listen to Another Fight if you don’t believe us. “It’s a simple, melodic, poppy song about that horrible moment when you’ve just had a fight and want to make everything alright again,” she says of the single. “We can all relate to that! Hopefully, after that the album will come. Even if I have to do it all myself and release it for free to those who want it!” A good idea in both theory and reality wethinks!
What watch do you rock?
“I’ve never owned a watch. I’m not sure why, but because I’ve managed without one this long, it seems silly to get one now!”
Another Fight is out 19 May. MySpace.com/iamtheoreticalgirl
RWD Magazine
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