The second most significant step a band must take in achieving musical fame is choosing a catchy band name that will be well received and well remembered by an audience. The first step, which should be pretty obvious to all you music fans, is recording original tunes that will bring immediate attention to an up and coming group. To accomplish both of these tasks lays down a solid foundation of pavement for a band that is just beginning their journey. So, congratulations Slutever, your path is fresh and we can foresee several more layers of cement to be poured down in your future.

We have introduced this duo once before, but we would like to present Slutever again, so you get the point just how unique this girl group really is. The Philadelphia twosome, Rachel Gagliardi and Nicole Synder, create music that is unlike tunes that are popularized on the radio waves. The originality of their tunes is infectious and utters back to the days of the 60s, but continues to incorporate hints of the current music world as well. The garage punk band recorded their debut EP, Sorry I’m Not Sorry, in a bathroom. Slutever released their debut record, Pretend to Be Nice, on March 29th via Bantic Media. The group upgraded to recording in a studio for these tunes.

Slutever likes to talk and sing bluntly. Their tracks off of Pretend to Be Nice are lyrically raw and their responses to our questions are just as pleasantly honest. Simply put, they are a badass group of girls, who will stand up for what they believe in despite the negative backlash that might come their way. We must admit that we continue to read our interview with Nicole over and over again. With every answer our eyes skim through, we build up an immense amount of will power that reminds us how influential our opinions can be on society. Build up some courage with Slutever by checking out our interview with Nicole.

What’s the meaning behind the band name?

Nicole: It’s our boredom and our angst and our apathy all rolled into one goofy portmanteau. Plus it’s just fun to say. Some people think it’s like “slut” and “forever,” but it’s not. It’s “slut” and “whatever.” We thought that was pretty obvious, but maybe it’s not.

Is it great to continue to be making music with your childhood friend?

Nicole: We’ve actually only been friends since the end of high school, but it’s so great, yeah. At this point we really know where each other is coming from and we work really well together. I’m too self-conscious to be bouncing song ideas off just anyone, so it’s nice to have someone I can trust to work through some of those ideas.

How helpful has it been having an educational background in the music industry?

Nicole: It has been incalculably helpful. We know enough about most aspects of the industry to do it ourselves. And prior to working with Bantic, we have done everything ourselves. Not to mention the relationships we’re building with professors who have considerable experience in the industry, like Darren Walters, the founder of Jade Tree Records, who just put out our 7″ in a class. I can’t imagine doing the band thing with absolutely no knowledge of what you’re about to put yourself through. The program at Drexel is really helpful to anyone considering trying to make the band thing work, but it’s also really helpful to anyone who wants to start their own record label, or manage a band, or whatever. It’s totally awesome; Way more fun than majoring in chemistry or something.

What was it like recording your debut EP Sorry I’m Not Sorry in a hot bathroom? Do you prefer to record in a bathroom or in a studio?

Nicole: Recording Sorry I’m Not Sorry was a blast. We just did everything in our own time, in our own space, and it was very comfortable. It got sort of ridiculous when we moved to the west coast and had to send the tracks back and forth and back and forth a hundred times, but I loved it. Recording in a studio is cool because you get a higher fidelity, and it’s fun to be around all that expensive gear and immerse yourself in a creative environment and push yourself to make something happen. I love the way the EP came out, but I’m a control freak, so it was kind of scary to step back and let other people put their hands all over everything, and I definitely missed the hot bathroom vibes.

What is the meaning behind your EP title?

Nicole: I try to be a nice person, but sometimes I’m just not and I’ve learned to accept that.

And the title meaning behind your new 7-inch EP, Pretend to Be Nice?

Nicole: We were driving ourselves crazy trying to come up with a name for the EP. One day we were watching Josie & the Pussycats, and they started playing “Pretend To Be Nice,” and we just looked at each other like “Yup, that’s it.”

What personal experiences have influenced your music?

Nicole: My songs are kind of fictional, whereas Rachel’s are definitely more autobiographical. “No Offense” is about realizing it’s alright to grow apart from someone you used to love. It took me a really long time to realize and accept that people changing is out of your control, and that song is the closure I needed from my first experience with that.

As an up and coming band in the music world, what challenges have you faced being “newbies?”

Nicole: I think our trip to SXSW opened our eyes to what we’re really in for. There were so many bands there and it’s extremely intimidating to be new in this super over-saturated scene. I think the hardest challenge is standing out in the crowd without sacrificing what you truly believe in. But so far, we’ve just done whatever we felt like doing and it’s working out pretty nicely for us.

Where do you see your music taking you in the future?

Nicole: We’re not dumb, we know this doesn’t last forever, especially in the fickle age of the internet. So I’m trying not to think about the future, I just want to stay focused on playing rad shows and writing new songs. We’re having fun and that’s about the only thing we can control.

by Lonnie Nemiroff

By lonnie

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