One word – Astonishing! This is how I would describe the newly and upcoming band “The Jellymans Daughter”. A phenomenal band, which has such unique, different and diverse chords and use of vocals.
Accompanying them are their cellos and acoustic guitar. Such an inventive use of notes and melodies, which makes the hairs on your arm stick up and certainly a ticket grabbing moment.
“It’s a mystery… We invite people to make up their own – if you’re reading this and can think of an interesting story, then send it to us and we’ll adopt that as the official line.”
Quoted by singer and cello player, Graham Coe, when asked the meaning behind not only the songs but the actual name of the band, “The Jellymans daughter”
The group, which started back in 2011, is an Edinburgh-based band duo featuring Emily Kelly and Graham Coe. They come together with their unique abilities within the music industry, with vocal harmonies complimented by the cello and acoustic guitar. They have super catchy and upbeat tunes such as “The One You’re Leaving” and swaying notes like “Honey,” their newly released single.
Performing in small pubs and making their way through the Fringe Festival, presenting their talents, they have come such a long way and completed their first EP playing alongside Danny Kyle at Celtic Connections, showcasing at the Wide Days (Which is where I first saw them and fell in love with their use and connectional songs) Their latest single “Honey” received a 4 star review in The List. Which has brought them such tremendous success. We just missed them in Henry’s Cellar Bar in Edinburgh on the 18th of June but don’t miss them at the following locations:
- 27/07/14 – Perth – Southern Fried Festival,
- 04-06/07/14 – Largs – Kelburn Garden Party
- 19/08/14 – Edinburgh – Electric Circus supporting Samantha Crain
They are continuing to spread their love of music and ability to the world, making Edinburgh proud! More dates and spontaneous gigs will be released soon, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled on their site! Personally thinking – Scotland needs their own show of talent!
I just had to ask, one of many to come…any pets? Emily Kelly responded for all you pet lovers
“I am super allergic to animal fur, which is a bummer. Otherwise, we’d have a bunch of pugs and one old Airedale Terrier to keep ‘em in line :)”
Enough of my chitchat. Let me introduce the next biggest music act Edinburgh will see at this coming festival! Where they answer your questions, fun facts and must-know for their success! You can achieve anything if you truly want something and work hard enough for it!
You guys are so unique and creative. How did you get the idea to create this musical creation?
Graham: After meeting on the same course at university, we bonded over our mutual admiration of Turin Brakes and Early Muse while also introducing each other to new things. Eventually, we started playing music together and making home recordings in the wee hours until we were offered a gig at Hogmanay in Aberdeen, at which point we decided to be a proper band. It feels like a long time ago!
Emily, Your voice is just breathless! Did you have any professional training? If so, where?
Emily: Thank you. Yes, I’ve had all sorts of training and different teachers, some fantastic and dubious experiences. My most recent training was at Edinburgh Napier University (where my degree focus was voice). I learned a great deal from Renee Stefanie about anatomy and how to achieve different vocal styles.
How did you all start working together and wanting the same thing?
Graham: It happened pretty naturally. I don’t think we ever talked about a specific direction. A large influence on our sound was the combination of Emily introducing me to the Bluegrass cello style (specifically Rushed Eggleston – look him up fellow cellos!) and hearing the now-disbanded duo the Civil Wars and their awesome vocal harmonies. I guess we were always just thinking along the same lines. Convenient!
Do you have the best track you love to perform?
Emily: I love playing “The One You’re Leaving;” it’s so fun and upbeat and doesn’t take itself seriously at all. The A Cappella line ‘Fall on your face’ is my favourite bit.
As for shows, did anything crazy or interesting ever happen while performing?
Graham: There was one gig where Emily’s guitar strap broke off mid-song, which left her singing and attempting to play while standing on one leg and trying to hold up the guitar with the other. It was pretty ridiculous, especially as it was one of those pin-drop-quiet gigs. We can laugh now!
What have you planned for the rest of the year regarding tracks or events?
Emily: This is the first year we’ve played summer festivals (last year, we were eyes deep in university submissions). We’re doing Kelburn, Southern Fried Festival, Glasgow Americana and most likely a lot of Fringe busking. We are also releasing our debut album this year and there will be much planning around that.
Graham: The Cello and your focus to playing is amazing, having played since the age of 7 has it always been something you wanted to focus on future wise?
Graham: You are too kind. In my mid-teen years, I had a shady patch where I was too interested in heavy metal and being a rock god. The classical pieces I was learning on cello at the time didn’t allow for the same amount of grrrrrrrrrrrrr. I was lucky enough to have an unbelievably patient teacher, and around age 18, I started actually practising again. If I had the opportunity to go back in time and tell mid-teenage Graham to play your damn cello for once, I wouldn’t, though – I feel those years of excessively overdriven guitars and AWESOME RIFFAGE shaped the way I play the cello now.
As a band, have you all got the same ideas about what you want and where you are heading?
Emily: Just having two of us in the band makes decisions like that a bit easier; I’m thankful for it. The dream would be to make a comfortable living from our music. We know that will take a lot of effort and dedication, and we also have part-time ‘normal’ jobs to support ourselves at the moment, but we’re playing the long game.
If you as a band could play on stage with anyone, who would it be and why?
Graham: Chris Thile, without a doubt. He is pretty much the most talented musician in the world – bold statement I know but he really is unbelievable. He’s mainly a mandolin player and singer/songwriter, and he generally does everything amazingly, but also just seems like a fun guy. Playing with him might not work out, though; I’d be too tempted to turn around on stage mid-song and drool in awe of his ridiculous skills!
Who wrote the songs, and where is your inspiration gained?
Emily: It’s pretty much a 50/50 split in songwriting. Graham’s strength is the cool chords and solid theory knowledge, whereas I tend to write more lyrics and melody. That said, we have often switched those roles. Every idea is discussed and decided on together. Our inspiration comes from any piece of good music that has an impact on us. Bluegrass, Rock, and Pop—we like to mix them up.
Since starting as a band, what has been the most memorable moment?
Emily: Tough one! We’ve had some great gigs like playing on the Danny Kyle stage at Celtic Connections and showcasing for Wide Days, those two were special for us. The most memorable moment was when we wrote our first EP. We’d never written together before and had a deadline, meaning it all got written and recorded in two weeks. It’s manic but so satisfying. We had the riff for Carolina and 5 hours left ‘til the deadline. Graham and I locked ourselves away in different rooms – I had to write the lyrics, and he had to come up with the chorus.
Few fun questions for you! Describe each of your fashion styles in 3 words?
Graham: Beardy Bluegrass Hipster
Emily: Whatever I want 🙂
Favourite places to eat in Edinburgh?
Emily: Sushi – Kanpai (Grindlay Street) Tapas – Cafe Andaluz (George Street) Steak – Shebeen (man vs. food style) (Morrison Street) Cafes – Salt Cafe and the Zulu Lounge (Morningside)
Graham: I agree, but also Papii (Hanover Street) or Hula Bar (Victoria Street) for amazing coffee and lunch food. We are total foodies – good question hehe!
Favourite Disney film? (If you like Disney, of course)
Graham: Lion King, obviously. So epic. Fun fact: the opening lines of the Circle of Life translated to English are “Here comes a lion, Father. Oh yes, it’s a lion”. It’s a perfectly valid statement, but I’m glad they kept to the Zulu version.
Emily: Hercules! Best soundtrack ever, plus Danny DeVito 🙂
Are any music videos in the making? Or exciting events for your lovely fans?
Graham: We just released the video for ‘Honey’, which was fun to make but also pretty chilly. There’s a story about a violin, another violin, and a stone wall, but it’s too painful to remember. We have another video up our sleeve, which we’ll release sometime over the summer, so keep your eyes peeled! We were lucky to have worked with such a talented and patient team.
Coolest person you have ever met?
Emily: They say never to meet your idols, but Chris Thile exceeded expectations. How can he be so cool? So humble and lovely!
Do you have any words of advice for people who want to follow in your footsteps?
Graham: It’s hard not to say something clichéd like ‘Be original,’ but it’s sort of true. There’s far too much of everything in the music scene these days, so to keep your head above the massive crowd, it helps to have something that makes you notable. Also, attend events like Off the Record, Wide Days, and Words & Music, Go NORTH—the panels are great, but networking is essential for creating opportunities for yourself.
Emily: Be nice to the sound guy, and everybody else for that matter. Politeness goes a long way. My Grandad once told us to “keep on trucking” so we do 🙂
There you have it! I couldn’t have said it better myself! Check out the latest on their Facebook page and site! As well as their songs at Band Camp!
2014 will be an exciting year for Emily and Graham, as the band will release their debut album. Exciting stuff is in the making! Don’t miss out!
