When we connect with Lambrini Girls via Zoom on a Wednesday lunchtime, it has been just under two weeks since the release of their debut album ‘Who Let The Dogs Out.’
To describe its success would be an understatement. It hit No. 16 on the Albums Chart, No. 2 on the Independent Albums Chart, and No. 1 in Rock & Metal, while also garnering significant critical praise.
Putting out an album along with all the associated promotion can be overwhelming, but it seems the effort has been worthwhile. We inquired about how they have been handling everything and their experience creating what many consider one of the year’s standout albums so far.
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You've been quite busy lately – it must be pretty intense right now. How are you holding up?
Phoebe: That’s an interesting question! To be completely honest, I'm very happy and excited about everything that's happened. But I definitely feel burnt out and overwhelmed!
I haven’t left my house since Sunday; I’ve mostly just been in bed. But that’s also my fault for going out and drinking too much when I should have been resting. Overall, I'm happy, just a bit frazzled.
Lilly: Exactly! This is the first time we've had some downtime in a while, and I worry it might be the last until September. It’s been really exhilarating – even more so than I expected with the album. So I guess we should make the most of this time and then rest when we can.
How did it feel to see the album receive such a warm reception – hitting Number 16 in the charts?
Phoebe: The predictions suggested we would be at number three, so it really threw off our expectations. Achieving number 16 is incredible. We’re very pleased, and we appreciate everyone who bought the album. Securing the number one spot in the Rock Charts means we get a trophy. Because honestly, at the end of the day, it’s not just about the artistic impact; it's about the trophies!
What’s it like to create an album compared to, say, an EP?
Lilly: Well, it means more songs! [laughs] The promotional campaign for the album was definitely more strenuous than what we’d do for an EP. Albums usually represent a pivotal moment in any band's career.
This feels like the first significant project we've released, and it's something we haven’t encountered before – the volume of press and photoshoots has been pretty unexpected. We’re thrilled about it because it’s gratifying to know people care about our album and want to learn more. Honestly, it would be disheartening if that wasn’t the case!
In terms of writing and recording, the process is quite similar. It’s just a longer time commitment in the studio, and there’s a finality to it because you recognize how crucial a debut album is in the industry, and people pay close attention. You feel pressured to get it just right. An album showcases you more than an EP does. It’s just a very intense experience.
Phoebe: I think there's more pressure because, as Lilly said, it’s generally seen as the first major step in a band's journey. The way it’s received, the sales, everything can have a huge influence.
I found it really daunting. Fortunately, we didn't face this issue, but my biggest fear was that if it didn’t succeed, we’d stay stuck in a loop of doing the same thing over and over, like going to the Netherlands for a month and playing 30 shows, with no chance for better slots.
So it was nerve-wracking to think that might continue if the album didn't do well, but thankfully it has! Now, I feel quite optimistic and excited about what this year holds.
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You have many live dates coming up; how are you getting ready?
Lilly: To be honest, I’m still recovering from this past year, trying to carve out as much ‘me time’ as I can. Living this lifestyle isn't very normal, so I wouldn’t say I'm ready just yet. I need this next month to mentally prepare and rebuild my energy levels since it’s been really non-stop and intense. If we were to perform now, I think I’d struggle.
Nonetheless, I’m eager to play consecutive shows again because we’ve mostly been doing one-off gigs, which has involved a lot of travel for relatively little playing. We’ve been busy with what I like to call extra-curricular activities, focusing much more on press, photoshoots, and interviews than on actually performing recently.
I’m definitely aiming to get rest in, prepare mentally, and find ways to keep myself grounded during the tour. I’m planning to start a new book series to keep me engaged and give me something consistent to take with me.
How do you unwind?
Phoebe: I’m not great at unwinding! When things are really hectic, I find it hard to switch off.
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When we connect with Lambrini Girls via Zoom on a Wednesday afternoon, it's been just shy of two weeks since the release of their debut album, 'Who Let The Dogs.