While this will undoubtedly be the ‘angle’ employed by every media avenue, it is important to note that Sydney five-piece Bridezilla are exceptionally young. I’m talking ‘only being allowed in a pub accompanied by an adult’ young. The refreshing thing about Bridezilla’s youth – and why I assume that the publicist doesn’t feel the need to hype the band as ‘teen prodigies’ or ‘wonderkids’ – is that their music already stands up, its ambient atmosphere and the soulful vocals of Holiday Carmen-Sparks making the band’s self titled EP a polar opposite to the ‘teen idol’ gimmickry that unfortunately defines most young-and-talented stories.

WB had the chance to do a short Q-and-A with Holiday from Bridezilla to discuss their formation, the band’s take on the ‘age’ question and plans for the future.

What inspired the band’s name?

Opposites contrasting and combining; good and bad, sweet and sour, soft and rough, vulnerable and tough, quite and loud, strings and woodwind.

Are you happy with how the EP turned out?

Proud and ecstatic are probably the right words. But there’s always room for improvement.

How did you find the experience of recording the EP?

Highly enjoyable. We felt lucky to be together writing our own history, regardless of how tense and tiring the actual recording process can get.

The band’s instrumentation is one of the things that set you apart. Was this sound planned or was the pairing of instruments just a product of who was in the band?

The latter. It was the way it had to be.

What other bands do you consider influences?
 
Pavement, The Velvet Underground, The original Fleetwood Mac, The Sugarcubes, The Dirty Three, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Hole, Modern Lovers, Big Star, Nancy Sinatra, Wanda Jackson, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf, Charlie Parker, Gustav Mahler, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton…. The list goes on, take your pick.

What was the Bridezilla’s first big break?

Playing with Gerling, I reckon. Burke Reid has one hell of a smile; it could get you anywhere. 

You’ve toured before with Midlake and Mercy Arms. How was that experience?

We are quite close to Mercy Arms musically and personally, so playing with them is always a ball. They have always been the ‘big brother’ band to us. Midlake are a bunch of well taught and knowledgeable musicians, which we appreciated immensely. We wrote them love letters as their ‘Young Bride(s)’ (like their hit single).

You’ve got some great opportunities with gigs in the next few months [the band are playing at Laneway and Homebake]. How do you approach the larger shows?

With fervour, courage, confidence and hopefully professionalism.

I had no idea you guys were so young from listening to the music. Do you think your age makes any difference to the music?

Only that we’ve got plenty of time ahead of us to develop, and perform it.

Only one more age related question: There’s been a history of people who get famous young in both music and film finding it hard to adjust to the spotlight. Is this something you and the band think about?

We’ve witnessed it, and will support each other as much as need be, if we ever encounter it.

There’s a lot of complexity in your songs (especially the end of ‘St. Francine’). Do you have a set idea of what you want to build the band into?

It’s not set in concrete, but we all tend to agree, when it happens, on what our perfect sound is.

Have any of the band members had musical training before?

Three out of five of us. Classical guitar, violin, and saxophone lessons have taken place from early ages. Vocals and drums found their own way.

Are there plans to record an album?

Hopes and dreams, and plenty of material. The rest will sort itself out.
 
What else is coming up for Bridezilla?

Whatever comes our way; Que Sera, Sera.