Q&A: Annie & The Jays

We caught up with Annie + The Jays to discuss how their unique origins, explore the inspiration behind their dreamy single "If You Wanted To You Would" and they tease whats to come at their upcoming Voodoo Rooms show on the 27th of September. Check out our Q&A below.

Your band has quite an interesting origin story, from meeting at a murder mystery party to university connections. Have these unique beginnings have influenced your music and band dynamics?

George: “Oh for sure! Having known the singer my entire life, it has definitely helped with how we communicate and vibe. As siblings, I can often read her mind for the drums. With the murder mystery party connection- it was mental then that we just happened to be right place, right time and I think it has taught me to never shy away from a random encounter because you just never know!” 

Annie: “In some ways the origin story goes even further back to my brother and I picking up where our Dad’s band, Bilbo, left off. For our band I definitely think that already having friendships we could turn into music has made it all very natural and fun, and George meeting Roddy at a chance encounter at a murder mystery party right when I was starting to get more serious with music kind of felt like a little nudge from fate” 

Annie, you’ve mentioned always wanting to make music with your brother George. How has that sibling connection shaped the sound and creative process of Annie and the Jays? 

George: “I know this question is meant for Annie, but as the other sibling it has been both a blessing and a curse. There are less restraints in what we think, so sometimes our ‘creative differences’ can be elevated due to also being siblings! Music-wise, it can also be amazing. Because Annie and I are so close, she trusts me and my judgement on band decisions. It allows us to divide and conquer, which is super helpful!” 

Annie: “It means the process isn’t without its petty tantrums… but no, in all seriousness, George has always been my biggest cheerleader and the first person I show my songs to anyway, so he understands my writing in such an intuitive way, and now getting to share those songs together on stage is the best. He does know all the back stories and lore from the songs too though, so I have to be nice to him!” 

You’ve described your latest single, "If You Wanted To You Would," as a dreamy, wistful track. Can you share what inspired the lyrics and the emotional journey behind the song?

George: “I knew this song from a very early stage and I think although the output has changed, the meaning has not. It’s all about waiting for someone to notice you and make a move, knowing they won’t until it’s too late” 

Annie: “Very simply, it’s a song about having feelings for someone, being so sure they feel the same way, but the electricity and angst of waiting for it to finally become something. In my case, it actually didn’t, so this is a song about those early feelings but also a tongue in cheek reminder to past me that if they wanted to, they would!” 

The track is said to evoke the feeling of a summer road trip at dusk. How do you approach creating such vivid atmospheres in your music?

George: “Sometimes with Annie’s writing it can take a while for the imagery to fully form I think, and other times it can just click. Honestly sometimes she’s like a machine that just rolls songs off! It’s both impressive and scary!” 

Roddy: “We like to start off by focusing on the feel that Annie’s lyrics evoke and coming up with cool instrumental ideas to compliment this” 

Annie: “I have quite a vivid imagination (for better or worse) so often with the songs I’ll come to the band with a sort of emotional and imagery scene that I feel the sound should be based around, then once everyone contributes it becomes a much fuller picture, sometimes changing in mood entirely as we go along” 

Given the nostalgic indie rock influences in your music, who are some of the artists or bands that have shaped your sound? 

George: “I know we all come from a very different approach on this, but for me personally it’s the classics, like fleetwood mac and eagles, mixed with the 2000s of Green Day and Fall Out Boy” 

Roddy: “For the guitar, the Cranberries are a big inspiration because of their pretty, jangly sounds” 

Ben: “Red Hot Chilli Peppers and AFI. Influence from Flea's basslines in RHCP's slower songs with rounder tones and sliding between notes, AFI's more repetitive melodic bass” 

Ryan: “For the keys the influence comes a lot from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Nick Rhodes from Durhan Durhan”

Annie: “I really love the strong melodies and evocative lyrics of artists like Stevie Nicks, Taylor Swift and more Raye, and then I also love the vibe of music from bands like No Doubt, The Cranberries and Wolf Alice” 

What has been the most rewarding experience for you as a band so far? 

George: “I know a lot of the band has said playing along Tuts, and whilst I agree I personally think selling out our first ever gig was the highlight! It was so unexpected, and I think that’s why it was so special” 

Roddy: “Getting on stage at King Tut’s. It was great to finally share our songs with a cool crowd” 

Ben: “Playing King Tuts which is so iconic and I've been to so many gigs at” 

Ryan: “Playing king tuts and generally just getting back into playing music” 

Annie: “Definitely selling out our first headline, and getting to play King Tuts which is a dream venue, but also I think in general getting to look out and see some people singing along to a few of our songs after working on them just ourselves for so long. That’s so rewarding” 

You have an upcoming gig at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh on the 27th of September. What can fans expect from this performance? 

George: “That’s a very good question! Fans can expect a great atmosphere with a bunch of friends who always seem to produce music that comes across greater than the sum of its parts. You can expect the music to be played live, with plenty of vibes and hopefully no sarcastic sighs!” 

Ryan: “A night of laughs, dancing and a bit of good music” 

Annie: “Definitely the best version of our songs that we’ll have played to date, with a couple of surprise covers, hopefully me announcing the songs in the right set list order this time, and possibly some free friendship bracelets… they’ll need to come along to find out!” 

Grab tickets to Annie and The Jays upcoming show at The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh on the 27th of September here.