Beth Jeans Houghton is beautiful and hot like Gwen Stefani, so after looking at her, just imagine what will happen when you fall in love after hearing her sing. It's true that Beth Jeans writes folk songs, but it's a little simplistic, because on her debut album she also sings pop, rock, gospel and opera, which incorporates her angelic voice mastered with ease even while playing live. Beth, 22 years old from Newcastle, UK, has also captivated the heart of Anthony Kiedis' who confessed his love to her music. Always accompanied by her band, The Hooves of Destiny, Beth Jeans is a volcano of energy, solar, tender and a bit crazy with bright eyes and red lips contrasting with a white as ivory face.
Can you tell me your story?
I was born in 1989 to two graphic designers and I started playing the guitar at the age of 17. Somewhere along the way, I met people who wanted to play the drums, the bass, the violin and the trumpet with me and now we have a constantly evolving band, The Hooves of Destiny.
How did you make your first record?
I had an idea and since it has stayed intact, I am open to change it now, I'm not afraid to experiment and it excites me that whenever we play live, our songs are always different, partly because our formation changes to this day, but we found a way to play in any situation. We don't like to take ourselves too seriously, nor emulate the album live. I like to think that when you're at home, you listen to it with your eyes closed, but when we're playing live, I want to see you dance!
The producer for this album is Ben Hillier, a genius of English music - what have you learned from him?
Freedom. Unlike other manufacturers who try to force you to work with their brand, Ben doesn't care about anything. It has certainly helped us get the sound we wanted, practise the ideas sealed in our minds. It's a great way to translate your thoughts.
The album is called Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose. Who is Cellophane Nose?
It depends on the day you ask me!
So who is it?
The love of my life. A dear friend of mine brought me a bottle found on the beach and there was a letter inside. It was written to me by my love of life from which I have not heard in a long time, because he had gone on a journey in search for a cheap plastic surgery, but got lost in the sea with no food or strength. The letter ends with this: I love you, yours truly, Cellophane Nose.
You have created a visual, imaginary world around your music and you said that your parents are designers. Do you believe that growing up in an artistic environment made you do what you do?
I grew up in a creative environment and have always been encouraged to express myself through art. I wasn't allowed to play video games and I watch little television, so the world I created is made of music and images.
What kind of music did you listen to growing up?
The music of the 70s. My parents are also big fans of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa. I loved The Roches, three American sisters making crazy harmonies and creating punk. Then, hanging out with the boys of my age, I discovered the garage bands and a lot of psychedelic bands. My favorite composer is Michael Nyman.
The cover and the back of the disc are black, and there are melancholic lyrics in the booklet to songs that seem happy, would you agree?
Absolutely. I just did a track by track commentary for the songs, and doing this I realized how depressing the lyrics were while the songs didn't sound quite sad. There is always an ironic side to everything we do, we are jokers.
The song structures often change, they're unpredictable - are you like them?
They are exactly like me! I think it's because we are a band made of very different elements, we like different things and we listen to different music, to funk, rock, punk. It's difficult to put the album into a single category and this is a huge bonus.
Who created the futuristic world and disturbing video for Sweet Tooth Bird?
My brother Ben directed all of my videos. We developed the idea together. I wanted something dark because I didn't want to make it look like a fairy tale. They're all colorful and beautiful to watch, but in the end they remain a little dark. He's a very good director even if he makes me die in all of those videos...
Can you tell me your story?
I was born in 1989 to two graphic designers and I started playing the guitar at the age of 17. Somewhere along the way, I met people who wanted to play the drums, the bass, the violin and the trumpet with me and now we have a constantly evolving band, The Hooves of Destiny.
How did you make your first record?
I had an idea and since it has stayed intact, I am open to change it now, I'm not afraid to experiment and it excites me that whenever we play live, our songs are always different, partly because our formation changes to this day, but we found a way to play in any situation. We don't like to take ourselves too seriously, nor emulate the album live. I like to think that when you're at home, you listen to it with your eyes closed, but when we're playing live, I want to see you dance!
The producer for this album is Ben Hillier, a genius of English music - what have you learned from him?
Freedom. Unlike other manufacturers who try to force you to work with their brand, Ben doesn't care about anything. It has certainly helped us get the sound we wanted, practise the ideas sealed in our minds. It's a great way to translate your thoughts.
The album is called Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose. Who is Cellophane Nose?
It depends on the day you ask me!
So who is it?
The love of my life. A dear friend of mine brought me a bottle found on the beach and there was a letter inside. It was written to me by my love of life from which I have not heard in a long time, because he had gone on a journey in search for a cheap plastic surgery, but got lost in the sea with no food or strength. The letter ends with this: I love you, yours truly, Cellophane Nose.
You have created a visual, imaginary world around your music and you said that your parents are designers. Do you believe that growing up in an artistic environment made you do what you do?
I grew up in a creative environment and have always been encouraged to express myself through art. I wasn't allowed to play video games and I watch little television, so the world I created is made of music and images.
What kind of music did you listen to growing up?
The music of the 70s. My parents are also big fans of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa. I loved The Roches, three American sisters making crazy harmonies and creating punk. Then, hanging out with the boys of my age, I discovered the garage bands and a lot of psychedelic bands. My favorite composer is Michael Nyman.
The cover and the back of the disc are black, and there are melancholic lyrics in the booklet to songs that seem happy, would you agree?
Absolutely. I just did a track by track commentary for the songs, and doing this I realized how depressing the lyrics were while the songs didn't sound quite sad. There is always an ironic side to everything we do, we are jokers.
The song structures often change, they're unpredictable - are you like them?
They are exactly like me! I think it's because we are a band made of very different elements, we like different things and we listen to different music, to funk, rock, punk. It's difficult to put the album into a single category and this is a huge bonus.
Who created the futuristic world and disturbing video for Sweet Tooth Bird?
My brother Ben directed all of my videos. We developed the idea together. I wanted something dark because I didn't want to make it look like a fairy tale. They're all colorful and beautiful to watch, but in the end they remain a little dark. He's a very good director even if he makes me die in all of those videos...
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Consider the fact that English is not my mother language and neither is Italian. There may be a lot of serious mistakes.
Translation: bjhandthehoovesofdestiny; if you want to post the article on your website, remember to give me a credit and let me know
Author: Marco Cresci
Photos: Simon
Source: Toh!
Date: May 2012
Original article: HERE
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