Parade - Ticking On It (Studio Version Snippet!)

In today's Parade mail-out, there's a video from the lovely Jessica where she takes us through her neighbourhood of Bow in London. It's all very classily shot and we see her driving around, going to a park, meeting the other girls for a Nando's (YUM!).

We also get to hear a new Parade song! Ticking On It got its first airing back in April during the girls' Koko perfomance - then, it was just a stripped back piano version, but playing during Jessica's video is the studio version.

You can hear it best in the last 30 seconds of the video and it shows off the same glossy, R&B tinged pop the girls do so well in current single Perfume. It's also got a very mid 90s summery feel to it and reminds me a little of this...

Introducing... Fanfair

I have to say, I'm intrigued by new girl-band Fanfair. Going to university in Reading, I get a copy of the highly informative Reading Post through my door every Friday and for the past couple of weeks they've been running adverts featuring Fanfair, in association with their partnership with local rugby team London Irish.

What Fanfair represent is a fascinating way of hopefully breaking into the pop scene. By performing at London Irish home games as well as being promoted on the rugby team's website and TV channel, they have instant exposure to thousands of potential fans. Not bad going for Jessica, Roberta, Anara and Aimee; who make up the group.

So, with a ready-made promotional avenue and model-like looks (just check out the photos on their website), what does their music sound like? Their debut track The Vaccine is a throbbing electro number, perfect for the stadium environment they are being launched straight into. Remember Hilary Duff's Depeche Mode-sampling Reach Out? Well Fanfair's The Vaccine is like that but with about ten times more oomph. The whole track is suitably fun and frisky, featuring the rather amazing line 'We're loving daily fixes of your intravenous kisses boy'. There's also a cheery cover of The Boys Are Back In Town on their site too, again, just the sort of thing to get you in the mood for an afternoon of rugby.

There's a nice little interview with the band on Bracknell News and it also serves to remind you that these girls are playing to the likes of 60,000 people per game. If you're looking to get your band out there, then that's certainly one way to do it. Managed by former Syco employee Dan Parker, it sounds like they've got a good pair of hands behind the steering wheel too.

I'm looking forward to hearing more from Fanfair as, let's be honest, the more girl-bands in the world, the better. And as a local, I feel like I owe it to them too.

You can find out more on Fanfair's website here.

INTERVIEW - Parade

Parade are Bianca, Emily, Jessica, Sian and Lauren. The feisty five-some are the latest girl-band making waves in the pop scene and with their infectious first single hitting the shops this month, they’re making sure they’re heard loud and clear.

Hi girls!  Where did you get the name Parade from?

Well, we did this mood board right back at the start of the band.  We wrote down the names of people who were musical influences to us, picked out colours - stuff like that.  And we really liked this font that spelled out ‘Parade’ so we cut it out and it turned out to be from an 80s porno magazine!  That was rather funny!  But it was just slap bang in the middle of the board and we all loved it so we decided to go for it!

It makes me think of you guys flying the flag for British pop music!

Yes!  And we want everyone to join the Parade!  That’s our motto!

Your song Louder is currently being used on the Rimmel TV adverts at the moment, how does that feel?

It’s amazing!  We feel so lucky to be associated with a well-known brand like Rimmel.  When we first saw the finished advert on the TV it just felt crazy!

And how easy was it to get into the swing of the ‘popstar’ lifestyle?

We absolutely love it!  We’ve had about ten interviews today and done a bit of filming too!  There are so many girls and boys out there who’d love to do this so we feel really fortunate.

You’re all keen users of Twitter, how does that play a part of being in the band?

Twitter has been a brilliant for us; we’ve really been able to get to know our fans through it.  It really helps with building up your fanbase and it’s great that it lets you have that element of direct communication with people.  It’s just so reassuring to see we have all those really loyal fans out there – they’re hardcore!

You’ve just finished touring with Alexandra Burke; did she have any good bits of advice for you?

She was really lovely, we’d see her in the canteen before she went on stage and she’d come up and give us big cuddles and a little pep talk.  It’s great to meet someone who’s been so successful and who is just such a nice girl.  It was brilliant to see her show too; she’s such an inspiration for us.  It was an amazing experience and we feel honoured to have been a part of it.

You’re supporting Shayne Ward on tour too – so I take it you’re all big X Factor fans?

Yeah!  We had a few favourite contestants last series like Rebecca and Cher – it was a really strong year!

So when you need to get up early for a busy day, do you have any techniques to make sure you’re all raring to go?

Caffeine!  Energy tablets!

And when you’re not working, how do you all like to chill out?

We’re so busy at the moment we’re lucky if we get a day off ha!  At weekends though we like to catch up with friends or go shopping.  We just try and relax really, oh, and sleep if possible ha!

Seeing as your song is called Louder, are you all quite loud people?  Like a bit of a party?

YEAH!  We love a party!  Yes we do!  The louder the better!

And will we be getting an album from you guys later this year?

It’s hopefully due this summer!  We’re so excited for it!  We’ve got a few more things to finish off on it but it’s going to be fantastic, we can’t wait!

As part of your promo you went on a tour round schools across the UK?  Did that feel like a bit of an adventure?

The school tour was great!  It was really good to get a reaction from kids as they don’t hold back – they’ll stand up and scream.  We’d get them to come and sing with us on stage.  And then it was brilliant going from small schools to big arenas when we supported Shakira last December.

Who’s music are you listening to at the moment?  Are there any big influences on you?

We all love Jessie J!  Bruno Mars too!  Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry - they’re all amazing.

And as a band, what do you think is the key to being a successful group and all getting on together?

We actually all live together so we’re so tight; like family really.  Because we spend twenty-four hours a day together we know each-other inside out.  It’s nice as you’re sharing everything and if any of us is having an off day, we know we have each-other.  It’s like we’re sisters!

Parade’s single Louder is out to buy now.

Parade - Rokstar

I have a big soft spot for piano ballads sung by girl bands, and the brilliant acoustic version of Rokstar by newcomers Parade are currently offering as a free download is one of the very best. The harmonies are spot on, beautiful and powerful in the chorus; which is just the way it should be. Here, the vocals feel real, the lyrics heartfelt and genuine. I love the 'I'm in love with a Rolling Stone' reference too.

There's something distinctly British about Parade and the energy and enthusiasm Emily, Jessica, Lauren, Sian and Bianca give off is undeniable. I can't wait for their album and going on the strength of songs like Rokstar and the amazing Louder - currently soundtracking the Rimmel adverts - it's going to be awesome.