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Who are Vanity Press?

Victoria Bourne on vocals, flute, piano; Chris Harper on guitars, piano electronic composition; and Michael Bird writes the lyrics.

When did you begin performing?

As Vanity Press in June 2005.

Chris: Scott Walker, Jeff Buckley, Stevie Ray Vaughan, This Mortal Coil, Nick Drake.
Victoria: Kurt Weill, Bjork, Ute Lemper and Jeff Buckley.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Michael: Scott Walker, Cole Porter and Bob Dylan.

Describe your sound?

Folktronica.

What do you make of the music scene in Leicester?

There are lots of good things going on, there are many opportunities through networks such as Creative Leicestershire and support from other local bands and musicians.

Who are your favourite local artists at the moment and why?

Echolocation and Kevin Herwick, both these guys are great musicians they are doing their own unique and individual style without compromise and in performance they are really strong and exciting to watch. They are also supportive of the local scene and other musicians.

Victoria: I would encourage people to check out their myspace sites.

Chris and Victoria are full time musicians, they teach guitar and singing. Michael is the editor of the journal 'The Diplomat in Bucharest'.

What has been your best musical moment so far?

Our gig at The Luminiare in London in February this year, everything came together, we were on great form, the sound engineer was fantastic, and we played to a full house.

The Miller in London - everything went wrong, the PA system was really bad and the sound engineer wasn't used to electronics and a laptop.

At the start the speakers started crackling then they cut out completely, during one song the sound engineer came to the stage and started talking to Chris as we were playing through all the crackles, it was hilarious so we just stopped. It was the first and only time ever we haven't played a whole set.

Best live venue that you've played or been to?

The Luminaire in London is the best venue so far we have played in, and been to is the Union Chapel in London.

It's a fantastic gothic church converted for live music and we will be performing in it in May.

What's been your most embarrassing music-themed moment?

Victoria: Sliding down a banister as a student singing to Madonna at a party.ÌýThen continuing to dance with the banister.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Chris: Touring with Goldsmiths chamber choir when I couldn't even sing.

'Bleed' because it's quiet and sleazy, loud and screaming and all the levels in-between.

Where and when was your first gig?

At the 12 bar club in London in June 2005.

Which person from Leicester do you most admire? Apart from yourselves of course!

John Merrick. He was not an animal he was a human being.

Red Leicester Cheese or Pork Pie?

Victoria: Melton Mowbray Pork Pie, I like my meat.Ìý
Chris: Red Leicester.

Most romantic gesture you've ever made?

Chris: Drinking Jack Daniels from Victoria's navel and the small of her back.
Victoria: Allowing Chris to drink Jack Daniels from my navel and the small of my back.

Which one of you gets the most attention from the opposite sex?

Victoria, and not just from the opposite sex.

Is being based in Leicestershire a help or a hindrance?

A huge help - being here enables us to make our music and meet and work with some interesting people.

Listen to 3 tracks by Vanity Press...