The Sugar Dames are in no way some pop-candy duo
looking to make it big with cute looks and adorable lyrics – and
honestly, terms like sugar and sweet have no right being anywhere near
the definition of the duo of Jenn Palmer and Christina Elen. These
musicians are hypnotizing. Sexy isn’t strong enough to describe it –
they’re mysterious, exotic – the type of artists you can’t take your
eyes off during a performance. All the little nuances, responses,
movements – they’re all part of the very unique Sugar Dames.
The studio the two refine their craft echoes their style truthfully – it’s
a private spot outside of the heart of Nashville, filled with
“taxidermy, antique carnival posters and strange medical equipment,”
typically used only well past when you and I have retired for the
evening. Now, don’t for one moment start thinking that the Dames are
only working to support a gimmick. They’re unreal talented – Voices
that flow like a calming fog through the mind – composed and confident.
Their latest release, “Sirens of the Broken Heart,” drips with style
and the essence of The Sugar Dames. They describe it as “loaded with
swimming guitars over gallons of melodies and harmonies. An entire
season of emotions and experiences. What we have seen or lived. We
wanted to translate a feeling into a melody, an emotion into a sound.
We weren't trying to write music, it was spontaneous. We don't have
writing sessions. When it happens, it happens.”
If there’s a Sugar Dames show that you can get to, get to it. Their
show pulls from the past and present (much like their music) with a
Vaudeville flair and professional showmanship. On top of that, the
music itself will allow you to get lost in time. You’ll spend hours in
your seat without a clue as to where the hands on the clock are.
Christina and Jenn are recording again and will be on the road later
this spring. Keep your eyes open. Get into the XXQ’s for so much more.
XXQs: The Sugar Dames
PensEyeView.com (PEV): Having been together as The Sugar Dames for
quite some time, was it an instant connection for the band when you
first came together? Do you remember the first time you met to practice?
SD: We were instant best friends. Very compatible and we each had a
solo career going... and going well. Actually, we were each other's
support system. We would call from the studios to compare notes and
opinions or frustrations of the day's work. Fulfilment was always just
barely out of our reach. We just couldn't translate what we were trying
to create. Then there was a job that called to write a song for a TV
show. We thought, "hey let's work on this together." Little did we
know that, with each other, we could create with such ease. That was
new to us. There was no attitude or competition and we were in musical
heaven! It just made sense. Well, to us it did. Not to the people
offering us the moon. We decided to walk away and chase the stars
together instead. And so, The Sugar Dames were born.
PEV: What kind of music where each of the members listening to
growing up? Do you guys argue on different kinds of music? What was
the first concert you attended?
Christina: I listened to a lot of classic music growing up. My
father is a concert pianist. The house was full of Debussy, Satie,
Tchaikovsky, etc. As I got older it was artists like Massive Attack,
Portishead, Tom Waits, Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich. First concert I
attended was Tina Turner at The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. It was
one of the best nights of my life!
Jenn: If it was on the radio or in church, I was listening. The kids who
tortured the DJs with call ins... that was me. I have my big brother to
thank for exposure to good music. He was always sneaking records in the
house that were forbidden like: The Dead Kennedy's,Violent Femmes, The
Smiths, 2 Live Crew, Pink Floyd, Beastie Boys... very diverse. Then it
would be off to choir practice to cast that devil's music out of us! So
we would merge the two. Very naughty ; ) The first concert would have
been when I was in my mother's womb. Starring her. I can't remember a
first. Our family was the concert.
Us Dames never argue about music. Every now and again we tease the
hell out of each other about a song we like... but those are secrets.
We'll never tell!
PEV: Tell us about your creative process… What kind of environment do you have to be in to make music?
SD: Anywhere an idea comes to us. But when it's time to lay down
tracks, it has to be dark and mellow. It's important that the emotion
translates... The moodier the better. We prefer to be alone because we
don't need to explain anything to each other. If one is on a roll, the
other knows when to be silent or chime in. We love it and get lost in
that place... sometimes for days.
PEV: Known for fantastic live performances, what can fans expect from a live Sugar Dames show?
SD: We give the audience a little slice of Vaudeville, a lot of
glamour and a huge sound. We may have a string section on stage or a
monkey playing the organ. You never know. What you can bank on is a
very unique experience.
PEV: Tell us about your first live performance as a band. How have you changed since that first show to where you are now?
SD: We have married our voices and styles so much that it's second
nature. We can usually anticipate where the other is going. It's as
familiar as our own skin now. The flow is natural and effortless. That
took time to happen.
PEV: What can fans expect from your latest release, "Sirens Of The Broken Heart"?
SD: Our album is loaded with swimming guitars over gallons of
melodies and harmonies. An entire season of emotions and experiences.
What we have seen or lived. We wanted to translate a feeling into a
melody, an emotion into a sound. We weren't trying to write music, it
was spontaneous. We don't have writing sessions. When it happens, it
happens.
PEV: How is "Sirens Of The Broken Heart" different from other albums
out right now? As well, now is it different from your past albums?
SD: We aren't convoluted by outside influences. We shut ourselves
away and create. It is ours alone (unless we are collaborating) so if
it isn't being pushed to be mainstream for corporate numbers you get a
authenticity that isn't the average music out there. We don't always
get the same exposure we would if we conformed. But you get something
that different from the normal. Something way more satisfying to us, an
original thought. Past projects had the heavy handed influence of other
people trying to tell us how our creation should look and sound.
Pulling styles out of us just because we could hit the note. Those
projects were never released. If a painter were almost done with a
piece, you wouldn't take the brush out of their hand and stroke the
canvas with different colors and styles. That would ruin it or make it
a replica. Music deserves the same respect. We don't make the mistake
of allowing ourselves to be extracted from our own sound.
PEV: How would you describe the sound of The Sugar Dames? And what
do you think it is about the band that has made you so successful?
SD: Some have said that we are the love child of Mazzy Star and
Portishead. We'll take that! Perseverance has been the key to success.
And all the musicians say, "AMEN!"
PEV: What's one thing we'd be surprised to hear about The Sugar Dames?
Christina: Hugh Hefner was my step-uncle. I learned how to swim in the grotto.
Jenn: My 6 year old daughter that passed away is my inspiration... And I'm still here.
PEV: Was there a certain point in your life when you knew that music was going to be a career for you?
SD: There was never anything else we can remember wanting to do. Or
dreaming of doing for a career. It's in our genes. It was the family
business for us like other families have Doctors or lawyers. We are all
musical gypsies!
PEV: What one word best describes The Sugar Dames?
SD: Delicious ; )
PEV: As musicians, you live a lot of your life on the road. How is
life on the road for you? Best and worst parts? Any fun stories?
SD: We are on the road now. Worst parts? Packing clothes to have
several choices and making it fit with the gear. Worst part on a bus?
The band members dropping it on the one. That is forbidden in our Sugar
Dames Handbook! Funny stories? We are a funny story! Sometimes we
steal each other's verses on stage and the other has to make something
up on the spot... Sometimes it's on purpose ; )
PEV: In all your travels, which has been your favorite city to play (US or International)?
Jenn: Chicago
Christina: Toad Suck, Arkansas. We've never played there but I really want to because of the name.
PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your success?
SD: They will never let us get too big for out britches. Though they do
scream to strangers at the gas station when we are on the radio. Our
biggest supporters. They would never let us stop.
PEV: What can we find the Dames doing in your spare time, aside from playing/writing music?
Jenn: Prayer Cloth interpretive dance moves. Oh, and gardening or
possibly a beer drinking contest at the local Pub where the prize is a
free pint. But it's my sister's Pub, the pints are always free.
Christina: I'm her score keeper. And I fix the score cards. Hey, at least we're number 1 somewhere! Thanks Jenn.
PEV: Having played with many great acts in music is there still one artist or group that would be your dream collaboration? Why?
Christina: Will Gregory (Goldfrapp). The arrangements on Felt Mountain still slay me after all these years.
Jenn: The Avett Brothers. Because they are sick they and so great! I
would love to have the chance to go for a musical ride with them and to
dance to the beat of their drum. Total ear candy. I wanna get a
bellyache from it!
PEV: Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?
SD: Neil Diamond.
PEV: If you weren't playing music, what would you most likely be doing for a career?
Jenn: Performing daily lobotomies on myself , friends and neighbors.
Or maybe changing bedpans at Nursing Homes. I'm not kidding!
Christina: A sculptor... but I would leave the leaf off ; )
PEV: Tell us what an average day is like for the members of The Sugar Dames?
SD: Our days and nights are completely turned around. While the rest
sleep, we are awake. We spend hours a day returning messages and emails
from our fans (while overdosing on an assortment of coffees and energy
drinks). We don't really like to call them fans. They are like friends
to us really. They keep us believing in what we do. Then, when the sun
goes down, we might head to the studio if the mood is right. We are
reclusive by nature so you wouldn't see us about town. Save the road
running for tours.
PEV: So, what is next for The Sugar Dames?
SD: We are recording new heartache weekly. Ha! An arsenal of love's
regrets to pour down your ears soon. We're planning a tour for late
spring. Hope to be out there in a city near you!
For more information, check out: www.thesugardames.com