What, why, wear?

Jess and Amber from Amber and The Tamborines.

JESS: Could you just briefly tell us what your wearing today?
AMBER: Cheap leggings from H&M with holes in and a vintage Biba top, from my mum for my birthday. I love how flowy it is, even though the print isn’t too girly so I’ll still wear it.

J: So do you mainly shop on the high street?
A: Yes, I like to think that I don’t but I do. I do try to shop in charity shops but sometimes it’s so much effort, it’s easier when it’s all just in one place. And I work in town so it’s convenient.

J: Are there any particular things your looking for this summer?
A: An 80s style jumpsuit. I found one in this vintage shop in St Nicks market in Bristol. It was like this abstract painterly print, with tight waist and everything, but I decided to spend my money on food instead. At the moment I’m looking for more out there stuff for when Amber and The Tamborines start gigging.

J: How did the band start?
A: I nagged a really good bass player at my college to do some music with me. And um, well yeah, that’s pretty much it. And then we got some other people in college to do it with us, as they study music with me so it was a natural progression to start working together more seriously.

J: Why the name?
A: Because I’m really bigheaded so my name has to be there [laughs] and somebody called me tamborine once and it kind of stuck, everyone started calling me it and it sounded a cool name.

J: What kind of music is it?
A: Well we’re all really into funk and soul kind of stuff. Will is always playing Stevie Wonder bass lines and things. But I think the lyrics have to mean something so I that aspect makes it more folky. And we also have a mandolin and violin, so it’s definitely different.

J: Where can we see you?
A: Around Bristol, we’re just starting to gig this summer. So places like the Croft and Louisiana. But after that who knows!

J: Is there a look for the band?
A: No. I think we’re all really different, but of course we’ll all make an effort when we’re gigging not to completely clash with each other. But I’m not saying we’ll wear matching shirts and ties.

J: Do you think a look is important for a band?
A: I think that a band needs an image so that they can be remembered, rather than just a whole confusing mess. But, if the music’s really good I don’t reckon it’s gonna be that bad if somebody’s hairs out of place once in a while

J: Anything else?
A: Can I go back to sleep now please?

Visit Jess' blog at http://www.sweatzine.blogspot.com/