Candy Says is a new band with a new sound and a determination to do things its own way. Lead singer Juju (formerly of Little Fish) teamed up with fellow Fish Ben Walker, Eliza Zoot (Black Casino and The Ghost) and Mike Monaghan (Man Without Country, Fionn Regan) in the summer of 2012 and set about recording an album in the garage of Ben and Juju’s bungalow. The result is a lo-fi chic pop sound influenced by Juju’s french roots.
After Juju’s experience in the industry (signed to Universal in the US, and Island in the UK with Little Fish) she wanted to create something closer to her heart, closer to home. “I feel like I have finally found something to feel inspired by, something to strive for and something that I believe in once again. I have that same magical feeling about what I am doing now that I had when I first started writing songs” The rest of the band were drawn in by her musical vision, and Juju's fans are rallying in support of this new musical adventure.
It sounds like a garage band recording a version of an electro band playing Velvet Underground songs. They recorded the entire album in their garage with two microphones, some dusty instruments and an old laptop, but the end product is a flawless production that captures Juju's quirky imagination and unexpected twists and turns.
It’s pop, but with a real focus on the finer intricacies of the music, which boasts complex arrangements to keep the sound fresh. At times the beat is almost tribal, and at others it’s layered with melodies, the sounds and vocals harmonising and blending until picking out each element becomes impossible.
First single Melt Into The Sun could in many ways been seen as a reference to Juju’s former experiences, and as she sings ‘everybody turn back time and start all over’ she hints at a desire to change her past. Later, as she sings ‘now that you’re in my boat we can rock it together,’ there’s also a sense of hope, and of new beginnings.
The video was envisioned and directed by avant-garde Albanian artist Bekim Mala, and was filmed in a stone barn with no heaters on a snowy morning in November. Juju likes to do things her own way, so she got hold of actors, crew, a location, costumes, a boxing ring and a load of hay bales to realise Bekim’s vision. This short film isn't your average pop video, but then Candy Says aren’t your average pop band
