Rose Elinor Dougall Interview: SXSW 2010

In 2008, Brighton, England singer Rose Elinor Dougall left successful trio the Pipettes to follow a solo career. After many hours cooped up in her home creating new music, Dougall delivered several innovative tracks. WIth influences from Joni Mitchell to the Cocteau Twins, Dougall soon formed a live band called the Distractions to further explore her rich, cinematic tunes. Her band included sibling and Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong guitarist Thomas Dougall. WIth her debut album, 'Without Why,' due in 2010, Dougall looks to make a splash at SXSW for her American debut.

Describe your sound.

Melody is one of the main focuses in my music. I guess there are moments that are quite pop, but also broader, more cinematic moments. People have said that my music is quite melancholy, but I hope it is uplifting, whilst still being personal and intimate.

How did your band form?

When I left the Pipettes, it only took me a few months before I was desperate to start playing with a live band again. Firstly, my younger brother Tom offered his services. I'd been talking to my friend Ralegh for a while about doing some music together, and then he introduced me to his drummer, Alex. And I had recently reunited with my very old friend Georgia, who was looking for people to play with. We all hooked up in a studio down the road and it just kind of came together very naturally.

What are your musical influences?

Quite wide-ranging, from more traditional singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell, John Martyn and Sandy Denny to bands like Broadcast, Silver Apples, My Bloody Valentine, the Cocteau Twins, with a lot in between such as Eric Satie or Al Green or ABBA.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I don't really have guilty pleasures. I truly love 'Take My Breath Away' by Berlin, which people have tried to make me feel guilty about, and failed.

Beatles or Stones?

Beatles.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

Singing karaoke in Tokyo with James Blunt was pretty f---ed up.

When someone says "SXSW" and "Austin," what comes to mind for you?

Margaritas, red meat, dry heat, no sleep, walking down little side streets and stumbling across stuff like an Ariel Pink show at 3AM.