Upbringing: Girlpool • DIY Magazine

Heading to London tomorrow night for a DIY Presents show at Scala, Girlpool are about to play their biggest UK show to date. With their debut ‘Before the World Was Big’ making waves worldwide, Harmony Tividad and Cleo Tucker have certainly come a long way from being crowd members at Hilary Duff concerts, and practising ‘Phantom of the Opera’ on a plastic keyboard. From Fergie singles, to the “diverse conglomeration” of live venues growing up, Girlpool talk us through their musical upbringing.

What was the first gig you ever went to?

Harmony: I would go to my dad’s gigs (he’s a jazz bassist) since i was very young

Cleo: My first concert was Hilary Duff at the Staples Center in LA when she toured her album ‘Metamorphosis’ in 2003

Were there a good supply of venues in your hometown?

Cleo: There are spots I love to go to in LA. The Smell, Pehrspace, various homes that hosted shows too. I also love seeing music at the Fonda Theater and at The Wiltern.

Harmony: Yes, in Los Angeles there was a diverse conglomeration of venues to go to.

What was the first song you developed an obsession for?

Harmony: ‘Aubrey’ by Bread.

Cleo: Oh jeez. Probably ‘Land Locked Blues’ by Bright Eyes.

What’s the story behind your first instrument?

Harmony: My parents got me a Casio keyboard for Christmas one year and i took piano classes for a little bit after getting (I really dreaded them at the time, unfortunately) and practicing songs from the musical ‘Phantom of the Opera’ on it.

Cleo: My parents bought me an acoustic guitar from a toy store that was near the house I grew up in.

What’s the first song you ever bought with your own money?

Harmony: Probably a Fergie song.

What inspirations outside of music have an impact on your songwriting?

Harmony: Everything.

Cleo: Everything I do and see and think

Best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?

Harmony: my dad says “if you can’t do it slow you can’t do it fast.” I really like this sentiment because it explores the idea of “do easy” which basically is to move with a certain self-awareness. I think it’s important to think about in day-to-day life.

Tags: Features, Girlpool, Upbringing