LIVING WITH EATING DISORDERS

Andrea Kerr speaks on the band's forthcoming debut EP, responses and why they're about as "in" as a circus freak show

Left: LWED - Andrea suddenly realises why most bands don't do photoshoots in sewers

London quartet Living With Eating Disorders are currently making a name for themselves on the gigging scene in London, as well as receiving a barrage of positive responses to their demos from music fans and independent press alike (See Rock Midgets.com 5/5 review of the band's gorgeously ambient Autumn release HERE - Ed.); nesting contently in the underground London goth scene but appealing to a wide variety of music fans. Chris caught up with Andrea Kerr (vocals) through the wonders of modern technology (e-mail) to see what's going on in the LWED camp right now... a debut EP, a mini-tour and John Fryer.

So who are you and what exactly do you do?
We are your saviours, angels from another dimension sent to save you from the evil of conformity. Well in reality we are just another band doing the best we can, the only way we know how. I am usually singing (and usually Andrea), Jared is usually playing keyboards and samples, Mark plays guitar and bass and Jamie plays drums and steals our records.

I know you've answered this question so many times, but for the benefit of the people who've never heard of you before - the name Living With Eating Disorders isn't intended to reach out to people using shock appeal is it?
Nope! To be honest if I had realised the attention it was going to get I would never have used it. I find it really aggravating to be honest and would much rather people talked about the music. I have read posts on forums saying things like "I won't even listen to this band because I think that making fun of eating disorders is wrong"! Why people assume that I would ever do that shows that they know nothing about me or the band, in which case they should keep their f**king opinions to themselves. In fact I was really hurt by something I read on a forum recently. In a thread about our band I was referred to as a "mascot" only a few posts after someone else had a go at the name and said something about showing people more respect. I guess that's everyone except me then!

What's it like being such a young band based in London where there are so many opportunities, but so many other bands to compete with; especially as there's always a constant stream of bands from London playing the "in" styles of music, which Living With Eating Disorders can in no way be accused of doing?
We are about as "in" as a circus freak show! If we were offensive we would be banned. I find the competition really exciting. I don't think I would feel such a sense of achievement if we were guaranteed success. The struggle makes you hungry and the harder you work at it the hungrier you get, and London is a great place to be in a band, there are endless facilities and opportunities available every day and night of the week.

Are you aware that you have a pretty unique sound? Is it something you aim for, or just something that happens?
It's definitely something that just happens. We have never aimed for a particular sound and I don't think we sound like anyone who has influenced us personally to make music either. I wasn't aware we were unique, as I don't really listen to anything like the music we do. I guess it is unique or people (including myself) wouldn't have trouble describing it.

Do you think this is why you seem to appeal to a wide variety of music lovers?
Maybe. I was thinking more along the lines of music lovers being nice people and not wanting to say anything nasty about us! Ha, you know "tell the crazy people there music is great and they will leave us alone". We have some fantastic fans though, all really individual interesting people, wonderful people. If there is one thing I didn't expect from making music it's the friends I've made.

You should be releasing your debut EP in June. Should we expect more of the same kind of stuff that's on your demos or something different?
Well the demo's were exactly that, just demos, so the e.p. and the album will be the full recordings of those songs. It should sound different, as there will be two extra people making a noise on them and some of the arrangements will have changed. All of the songs with the exception of 'lullaby' have been re-recorded from scratch.

Have you finished recording it yet? Where was it/is it being recorded?
That is a little bit of a sore point at the moment! A pain in the neck on my part you could say. We have nearly finished; I have a vocal to record, which is being a bad tempered little bitch. I just can't get it right and the more I try the harder it gets. We have recorded most of it in our house apart from the really noisy stuff like the drums, and my vocal for Horsemilk, which were recorded in a confidential location in west London (top secret middle of the night stuff).

What tracks are going to be on the EP?
If I can take control of my own vocal chords for a full three minutes before the end of the week there will be six songs. 'Lullaby', new recordings of 'Arm' and 'Horsemilk', and a remix of each track.

Is there a set release date yet? What about a working/set title?
There is a release month (fingers crossed) but no date. We hope to release the e.p. in June this year (when I say this year I'm not being funny) to coincide with the gigs we have in London, Winchester, Colchester and Swindon.
I have been trying to come up with a name for it and there are a few I like but we haven't decided yet. So many wonderful words and such little space on a cd cover! I have been referring to it as the S.I. E.P due to the gloomy subject tackled in the songs 'arm' and 'lullaby'.

And it's going to be released on somethingtolistento records?
Yes, Mr. Wonderful, AKA John Fryer, will be releasing it into the wild through his shiny new label something to listen to.

What's it been like working with John Fryer? - a vastly experienced producer that's worked with bands that are far bigger than Living With Eating Disorders (Nine Inch Nails, Stabbing Westward, Cradle of Filth, HIM and loads more)?
Living hell! We are changing the name to 'living with the devil himself'! John is fantastic to work with, for someone who has really worked with so many professional bands he is never patronising where he could be and never jaded. He is very child like in his approach to things and the word "can't" isn't in his vocabulary. The only thing I can compare it to is playing make believe as a kid. John said he was going to start a label, I said it was a great idea and he did it. He works really hard too, every day!

Did he approach you, or you, him?
Well I'm not sure. It goes back a bit of a way now. I first met John a few years ago when he was working with 'Rico' in a studio I was working in. Jared was the assistant engineer on that session so he has worked with him before. More recently we met again through a mutual friend and I gave John a demo, which to my surprise he liked so much he offered to help us record.

You're putting a small tour together for June. What kind of responses do you seem to be getting live so far from what are mostly fans of the other bands that you play with?
I think that's what I will name it, the small tour!
We have always had a great response from people who see us live. Occasionally someone gets a little worried about me till they realise I have lived through the performance but I think a good way to judge the response is by the fact that people come back to see us again. With more people!

Do you have any plans for once the EP has been released and the touring is over?
We need to finish the album. It's started but there is a long way to go with it. We have another 13 or 14 songs to finish and then we will choose 10 for the album. We are also dying to get some more writing done, Jared and I have been doing a little but there has been no time to spare lately.

I don't think I've actually read one negative review of your demos or gigs. Is a good and consistent press response important to you considering how fickle the music press is known to be?
It does affect the way I feel about things most definitely, but I'm not sure if that makes it important to me or not. I must admit there isn't one review I haven't loved and we have been lucky with our press so far. I think being relatively unknown helps, I don't think there is much need to review something you don't like unless it's popular, which we're not. I anticipate some nasty reviews if we ever become well known and then you can ask me again how important it is to me.

Where do you see Living With Eating Disorders in a few years time?
Fat and bloated and not talking to each other! I haven't a clue. If I don't get a move on with my vocals we won't have a deal! Probably doing more of the same wondering where the time has gone. I hope!

by Chris Impey

Further links

Living With Eating Disorders

Home to the female-fronted ambient group

Something To Listen To

Home to LWED, Esoterica, Audiodummi (feat, Ville Valo)