Louise Distras recently released her new single Outside of You and played a string of shows at Slam Dunk Festival last weekend.
Louise’s path from hardship to heart-felt anthems began when she ran away from home, aged 16, armed with a guitar and the few chords she knew. Inspired by Nirvana and the punk-rock gateway the Seattle legends provided, Louise turned her back on the bullying that had made her life unbearable and decided to play music for anyone who’d listen.
Inspired by Nirvana and the punk-rock gateway the Seattle legends provided, Louise turned her back on the bullying that had made her life unbearable and decided to play music for anyone who’d listen.
Outside Of You is released as a taster for Louise’s as yet untitled sophomore album and you can check it out below!
Louise will be playing Camden Rocks tomorrow (3rd June) and we managed to catch up with her before she plays as she talks about the festival, Slam Dunk, latest song and more!
So how was your weekend at Slam Dunk Festival?
For me Slam Dunk isn’t a festival, it’s more of a movement that personifies everything
Nu-Punk stands for. It’s an event that celebrates the coming together of a
new generation with new ideas, a new sound, and a new way of doing things.
It’s hard not to be excited when you’re experiencing so much positive energy and creativity
under one roof, I’ve loved every second!
Would you say it was the best you’ve played?
It’s been wicked, the response has been fantastic and the audience have
been connecting with my songs in a big way. So I’m really happy!
Do you find it different playing at festivals rather than live venues?
To be honest I don’t care where I play, I just love to play music. They only let me have 25 minutes last weekend so after finishing
my last song at Slam Dunk South, I asked the audience if they wanted to hear more songs and they said yes so we had a singalong in the street. That’s the beauty of being a solo artist, you can rock up and play anywhere anytime. It’s so much fun!
How has the release of Outside of You gone so far with fans?
It’s been great so far, thanks! It’s an amazing feeling to see and hear that so many people are excited
about the new songs I’ve been playing at shows. Outside of You is just a small glimpse of what’s to come from the second record,
and I can’t wait for everyone to hear what’s next!
Will there be a EP/Album released this year?
Yes there will be another single released later on this year which will coincide with the launch of my street poetry project.
The next track is a big one that alot of people have been really excited about at the shows, so very excited to release it!
What was your first ever gig that you went to as a kid?
I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere, so I used to sneak out for underage drinking and local bands at this place called
Players in Wakefield. My Mum used to call the police and they’d come in the bar looking for me, and then when I eventually went home
I’d get in big trouble but it was totally worth it.
So you have Camden Rocks coming up now, how pumped are you for this?
Again, it’s hard not to be excited about playing festivals and Camden Rocks is definitely up there as a highlight for me
I had a great solo show there last year and I’m looking forward to coming back in 2017 with my band. We will see you at Blackheart, 8pm!
If you could work with any band or singer on a new song, who would it be and why?
Probably Barry Gibb, because he’s Barry Gibb!