The Green Children is a unique European electro-pop duo that, despite the generic typecast, strives for natural and elemental influences in its music because it is their intent to take listeners on a magical journey. This is evident, and I’d say pretty successfully so in TGC’s first single “Dragon,” which has an equally ethereal video to boot (check it out here).
The two group members, Milla and Marlow, from Norway and England respectively, met at school and have been working together as musicians and friends for the past five years across several continents and countless cities. Their work has been described as “a dreamy slice of compelling electro pop with a strong sense of 1980’s power pop songwriting.”
TGC is due to drop its first album, Encounter, this month and we have several of their tracks in the jukebox ready for you to rate! We want to know which of these tracks you think have the potential to be radio hits! So continue reading to learn more about this keenly observant and well-traveled pair below, and then check out “Dragons,” “Black Magic,” and “Life Saviour,” in the HitPredictor jukebox and let us know what you think!
The Green Children interview
How would you define your music?
Although many people like to define music by category, our music has so far not been placed. Personally I have been pleased by this undefined musical observation. Who wants to be typecast anyway? Marlow and I have basically played, written and produced everything on our record so the sound will naturally be derived from who we are as individuals. We have both grown up in magical small towns blessed by exiting history and natural beauty. We humbly hope that these elements have been well reflected in our music and wish for our listeners to be taken on a magical journey. I believe a short description of our sound would be ‘ethereal electro pop’.
How did the two of you form The Green Children? How long have you been playing together?
Marlow and I started as songwriting partners in Liverpool where we met. We formed several bands together all with different names. Whilst studying at the Paul McCartney school we gigged around and rehearsed with our band members who all were great musicians, but when school was coming to an end the band decided to part ways and Marlow and I became a duo with the name TGC. We have now worked together for about five years and though the music business can be tough at times, our friendship and partnership are stronger then ever.
Where is home base for The Green Children? Are you originally from the area? What’s the music scene like there – supportive of your type of music, or do you travel a lot to play shows?
I think our living situation for the last 5 years would best be described as nomadic. Our Foundation work has brought us to places like India, Africa, China, and Bangladesh whilst our music career has taken us to parts of Europe and many cities in America.
Marlow is from England and I originate from Norway, we decided to check out L.A. and New York after our studies to see which boot fit the best. After feeling our bare feet in the California sand we decided on no boots at all! The warm weather and buzz of the L.A. show biz scene was undeniable and was an enticing contrast to our cooler existence so far in Europe. Our time in L.A. has been a mixed bag of sweet and sour candy. We have experienced great people and opportunities, but where there is good there is bad, and we have already been burnt enough times to write a book. However, we are not dead nor broken, only stronger. In L.A. I find myself surrounded by a rainbow of different artists. Everywhere you go you can hear people talking about their new script, acting role or band projects. This is fascinating to someone like me, who comes from a small Nordic fishing town.
Who or what would you say your artistic influences or inspirations are as a band?
Other than being strongly inspired by nature’s beauty and our life experiences, we have both loved artists like Michael Jackson, Enya, Bjork, and The Beatles. Filmic inspiration has also played a big part in our sound and image. Between the two of us, we have seen hundreds of sci-fi, adventure and fantasy movies. Some of our favorites include Star Wars, Back to the Future, Indiana Jones, The Labyrinth, Edward Scissorhands and Harry Potter.
Do you write your own lyrics and music? If so, what influences you in the writing process?
We write all of our music and lyrics. Most of the time I focus on the lyrics and melody and Marlow does the music and production but we try to start songs in as many different ways as possible. Sometimes an idea will begin with the piano or guitar and other times with a beat, lyric or story. The more we mix it up, the more fun we have and the more varied our tracks become!
When I write lyrics I escape to another world where my mind is free to wonder without limits; I’m incredibly visual and imagine the whole story behind what I’m writing. Marlow is very similar in the studio, creating an atmosphere where freedom and improvisation are key creative elements.
Pick a song from any of your albums/EPs to go in-depth about – a “single” if you will – and tell us about the lyrics, inspiration, etc.
‘Dragons’ is an up-tempo song about a girl who has fallen into a fever after recently losing her love. We’ve just released the music video, which continues from another song called ‘Life Was Beautiful’.
We hope people are given a glimpse into who we are and what our album will be like from this song. The video also includes imagery related to legend of The Green Children, a name and myth that literally chose us! It was actually started in a 400-year-old cottage in England. Surroundings and atmosphere are of course very important for inspiration!
It’s an atmospheric electro-pop track, drawing a little from the styles of Michael Jackson meets Enya :)
Tell us about your new album Encounter! How long did you work on it? Does it have a story to tell?
Our music is all about story telling! The title track ‘Encounter’ is definitely quite special for us, because it represents both our journey and the coincidental discovery of The Green Children legend.
Some of the songs are brand new and some are songs we’ve had for a long time. The album was made over quite a prolonged period, mainly because we were caged by different record deals for several years. Every track is like a baby to us, this is first collection that we’re truly happy with, and I feel it’s because we really decided to take control of ALL aspects of our artistic vision.
Do you have any other projects in the works?
Yes, we plan to release ‘Encounter Remixed!’, an album full of great remixes by some massively talented individuals! It is scheduled to come out in November!
Where can people catch a live performance?
We are currently booking dates in LA and NY, so please check out our website for updates shortly!
Where can people look you up online?
http://www.thegreenchildren.com/tgc/
http://www.facebook.com/thegreenchildren
http://www.youtube.com/thegreenchildren
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