The teenage trio turning heads.
The Orielles are yet another band who will make you question why you spent your teenage years watching endless Hollyoaks reruns instead of starting the next coolest band around. Hailing from Halifax, Sidonie, Esmé and Henry are still only aged 21, 18 and 17, respectively, but their newest track shows skills well beyond their years.
“Sugar Tastes Like Salt” is an atmospheric funk-filled classic with hypnotic vocals and a guitar riff that will leave you wanting to get up and dance. Already establishing them as a band to keep your eyes on, it’s an exciting glimpse of what the trio can do.
Currently out on tour, we had a talk with Sidonie to find out more about the exciting new band.
When you first met Henry was it “lets-make-music-together” at first sight?
Yeah totally! We had never played an instrument properly before, let alone played in a band, but Henry encouraged us to give it a go and have a jam with him. He was the only guy at the party not getting off to “Mr. Brightside”, so we knew he was the one.
What’s it like being in a band with your sister?
I wouldn’t have it any other way, it’s seriously the best! We’re practically the same person to be honest. We can always count on one another to perk the other one up if we’re feeling a bit deflated. It’s also good because it means we can pack less when we go on tour, because we can share clothes and shoes!
Who would you say are your musical influences?
Our musical influences span a wide range of genres. I’d say the main influences are bands like Pixies, Pavement and The Pastels. But we’re also highly influenced by a lot of funk/disco and post punk music such as A Certain Ratio, ESG, Gang of Four and Sister Sledge.
“Looking out into the crowd we could just see everyone who had supported us and had faith in us from the start, it was beautiful.”
You’ve recently dropped your track “Sugar Tastes Like Salt”. What was the inspiration behind it?
Yeah! Musically, the track is inspired by pretty much every band we listen to as you can probably tell, haha! I think of all the tracks we have previously released, “Sugar” is definitely the most ‘us’ in terms of what we listen to. The title and theme of the track is inspired by Tarantino’s grindhouse film Deathproof, which we were watching on a projector whilst jamming and ultimately writing the song. We really liked the line “well damn if you ain’t so sweet you make sugar taste just like salt”, which is of course where the title came from.
Have you ever accidentally put salt in your tea instead of sugar?
We have never done this thank god! Although you can get salted caramel flavoured lattes and stuff now so maybe it wouldn’t be so bad?
You’re currently touring. What’s your favourite thing about performing live?
Ah, tough question, it’s all amazing. It’s obviously a great feeling seeing a crowd loving what you are doing and getting into the music, but I’d say it’s even better seeing Esme & Henry having the time of their lives as well. Also the rush of adrenaline you get the second you walk off stage is cool.
What’s your most treasured moment at a gig?
The other night on this tour we played in Hebden Bridge, which is pretty much a hometown gig for us. It was sold out which felt great and also all of our friends were there to enjoy it with us. Looking out into the crowd we could just see everyone who had supported us and had faith in us from the start, it was beautiful.
What else do you have lined up for this year?
Firstly y’all can expect another single in the coming months! We’ll be hitting a handful of festivals over summer, which we’re psyched about as well as spending a lot of time in the studio. Towards the end of the year, hopefully we’ll tour again and we have a few surprises we’re currently in the process of sorting out.