Neu Get To Know… she’s green

Describe your music to us in the form of a haiku. 
shimmering water
sometimes still, sometimes stirring
float on the surface

You hail from Minneapolis - musically, what was it like cutting your teeth there? Is there much of a ‘scene’ to speak of, or any key venues/bands/promoters who shape its identity? Give us a bit of an insight into the birthplace of she’s green. 
We owe so much to the music scene in Minneapolis and the greater twin cities. Scene wise, it really punches far above its weight with a rich diversity of talent, a great network of venues and local promoters, and most importantly an incredibly strong DIY underground that goes back decades. Most of us first crossed paths attending the same local shows in backyards, basements, and garages. The band first got started with the intention of playing Liam and Zofia’s music at these kinds of shows. All of us have made so many friends in this underground circuit of DIY music, and even though we’re on the road a lot these days, we still try and make it a point to keep supporting that scene and our friends who inspire us every single day. There’s nothing like the energy of these shows, and we definitely wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Twin Cities DIY.

As a band, you draw a lot of inspiration from nature; can you tell us a bit more about the relationship between your surroundings and your artistic output? Why do you think this strong sense of place figures so largely in your work? 
Zofia: We’re all very impacted by our environment, especially Liam and I. I get overstimulated easily and nature is where I can start to deconstruct my life and it helps me express myself more freely. Sometimes it’s like we’re living in a fake, plastic world that doesn’t feel safe and real. Art and nature brings me back into myself and reminds me of all the good things about being human. Even if I’m stuck in a practice space without windows, closing my eyes and pretending puts me in my own body and words can come out. We try to emulate that environment with guitar textures and hope it takes you somewhere you want to be for a while; lying in a field or running through trees.

You’re due to play Reading & Leeds fest this summer - an event that’s a proper rite of passage for British teenagers. What were your first festival experiences like? Any disasters / highlights / standout memories? 
Liam: In Minneapolis we had Soundset, a huge hip hop festival. I remember going from 2016-2018 and it was always a huge party - that’s where I first saw Playboi Carti. The crowd surges for the headliners were insane; I distinctly remember my feet were off the ground and I was just floating around with the crowd, stuck between people. That was unreal.

As a band, I would say recently playing Slide Away fest was huge for us. Getting a chance to play with Hum and Chapterhouse is something we never saw coming. The Chicago date was on Raines’s birthday, so we plotted and after our third song we faked some technical difficulties and got the whole crowd to sing him happy birthday, and Nicky from Nothing brought out a cake.

What’s your party trick? 
Making beers disappear.

Who would be your dream collaborator (and why)?
We’d all love to work with Beach House. Their records are so inspiring and have made us all feel so much, and live they’re one of our favorite shows we’ve ever been to.

Finally, DIY are coming round for dinner - what are you making? 
The most Minnesotan delicacy would be frying up some fresh caught walleye for you guys, then we’d serve it with a European potato salad and some broccoli. We love broccoli.

‘swallowtail’ is out on 10th July via Photo Finish Records. 

Tags: Get to Know, Neu, she’s green