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If you believe what you see and hear in the classy videos, high-end promo shots and gorgeous, soaring singles, Say Lou Lou are bringing a little glamour and class back to pop music. So when we meet twin sisters Elektra and Miranda Kilbey in a dingy back-room at London's XOYO, sat in baggy jumpers and no make-up, the duo quickly shrug off any notion that what we've seen of the duo reflects their everyday life...
"We work in joggers everyday in the studio and we sit in our tour van with big socks and big jumpers on," says Elektra (the blonde - and more talkative sister), as she dispells our high-end fantasy of the future pop sensations.
"Being a musician isn't classy," adds Miranda. "Any venue, any place - nothing is classy. Stressing and being tired and drunk is not classy. For us, our visual thing isn't to be 'classy', we're just going with it. Anyone who knows us knows that we're quite chilled people."
Quite posh - but Say Lou Lou insist they are big fans of sweatpants
Say Lou Lou came to international attention in 2012, when their debut single 'Maybe You' offered a shimmering glimpse at how good pop music could sound in these post-X Factor times, following up with the equally sublime 'Better In The Dark', 'Julian' and 'Beloved' at the tail end of last year. The Swedish/Australian sisters then found themselves on the BBC longlist for The Sound of 2014, only to be criminally ignored on the shortlist in favour of 'safe' options such as Sam Smith and George Ezra. Of course, there's no hard feelings from Say Lou Lou, who were simply shocked to even be recognised among the hordes of rising young British talent.
"For us, it was an honour to be on the list," says Elektra. "We never expected any more than that. I think the people who made the list were great, and quite expected, we were just happy to be amongst them. Also, not being British, mostly if you look at the list it's mostly Brits or Americans.
"We're the first Swedish/Australian band to ever be on the list, and there hasn't been a Swedish act for five years, since Niki And The Dove, and Australian bands like Empire Of The Sun. For us to be accepted in the UK was just mindblowingly amazing."
"I love FKA twigs," adds Miranda, praising another hugely brilliant star who didn't place in the Top Five. "I think she is really daring, and really interesting. It's really progressive and different."
"We really like Chloe Howl," says Elektra. "We think it is going to go really well for her."
FKA twigs and Chloe Howl are two of Say Lou Lou's favourite new artists
Since their rise to international attention, Say Lou Lou have spent time on the road with some of the UK's finest talents - most notably support slots on tours with Foals, Hurts and London Grammar. However, aside from tips on band dynamics, the sisters admit they didn't pick any great secrets about perfecting their live shows from either tour.
"We learned the importance of dynamics," says Elektra, "When you're watching a band you think is great, looking at what they're doing you like, and trying to understand what's going on. I can't really stage-dive out with a guitar like Yannis from Foals, and London Grammar are quite placid, they stand still and are very majestic, so I don't think we picked up anything."
Listen to the new Say Lou Lou single, 'Everything We Touch' new
Say Lou Lou have this week revealed their brand new single, 'Everything We Touch', a beautiful and baffling song about raising dragons and turning everything into gold (it really out to be on the Game Of Thrones soundtrack), but there will be a long wait for the album - much to Elektra's annoyance.
"The album is coming out in September. I want it out now. I've wanted it out for two years, but it is on its way," she says, faking anger at the six months between now and release. "We are going to release two lovely singles before then, so hopefully that will distract people from the wait."
Say Lou Lou have worked with a who's who of pop music on the record, including former Sneaker Pimps mainman Liam Howe and pop-writing geniuses Karen Poole and Hannah Robinson, who have helped develop the sound we have heard on the sisters' singles to include a harder, more upbeat edge.
"I would say the singles are the foundation of the sound, but our album is going to sound a little more 'pizazz'," says Elektra. "There will be stronger vocals, more drums and sound a bit more hard and upbeat. There won't be as many ballads as people expect."
Listen to Say Lou Lou's Chat Faker ballad, 'Fool Of Me', below
"We do love our ballads though," Miranda is quick to add. It's understandable, their ballads (such as b-sides 'Fool Of Me' with Chet Faker and 'Beloved') are utterly perfect. We'd be disappointed if they didn't reflect the album.
Currently in the studio putting the finishing touches to the record, Say Lou Lou will emerge into the bright sun and muddy fields of the UK once more, when they return for a string of festival shows this summer. They've never performed or even attended a British festival - but already have a pretty good idea what to expect when they get there.
"Getting drunk, wet and muddy," says Elektra, with wide-eyed enthusiasm. "Losing everything and getting high. We want to find mushrooms."
We don't think she means the vegetarian options. Say Lou Lou release new single, 'Everything We Touch' on 19 May 2013. Festival dates, and that elusive debut album to follow.
