Photo: Chris Birkenshaw
They may live to regret the name, but the unlimited scope for equine-related puns for the south London quintet seems limitless. Horsing around aside, New Young Pony Club are reclining on the PopWorld sofa at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, fresh from making their debut UK live TV performance on Channel 4’s Transmission for forthcoming single ‘Ice Cream’. Their mood has a post-coital feel to it, exuding a confidence that prompted many ahs from the audience during the performance.
It’s been a whirlwind last two years for New Young Pony Club. Co-founded in 2004 by affable guitarist Andy and charismatic lead singer Tahita, debut 45 ‘Ice Cream’ was snapped up by magpie fans in three days, but its very limited circulation saw it overlooked by much of the UK music press. This month’s re-release of ‘Ice Cream’ feels less a cynical cash-in and more a chance to get to know the Pony’s a little better, for the family has grown. Last year NYPC welcomed gigantic, floppy blonde haired bassist Igor, doe-eyed drummer Sarah, and shy but alluring keyboardist Lou to the paddock.
Despite only one release to their name NYPC’s sound takes in robot rock, soul, afro beat, funk and post-electroclash. Mostly, they are themselves, which is a melting pot of influences as diverse and idiosyncratic as their personalities. They speak in actions not words, choosing to move off the PopWorld sofa and on to the rug on the floor. Now a sprawling octopus of limbs, the band is very much led by spokesperson Tahita, save the odd remark from Andy and Igor’s booming laugh, Lou and Sarah are mute but observant throughout.
There’s a gang mentality about NYPC which outsiders might find impregnable. They insist band rows are confined to who gets the biggest portion of cake and chocolate on the rider, “And whether our Harley Street doctor is from Scotland,” Andy adds sardonically, but their explanations follow a logic only a New Young Pony might understand.
“The pony thing is kind of a double meaning,” Tahita explains in her husky, suggestive voice. “You can think about little girls and ponies and think ‘aw that’s really cute’, but I was kind of thinking about that whole fetish scene,” she adds. “That kind of double meaning captures the sound of the band, which is quite saucy and silly but quite sweet at the same time.”
As for their musical influences, NYPC offer that there’s far too many to mention, before Tahita finally elaborates: “I’m certainly a big fan of that whole explosion of punk that came out of New York in the late 70s. I think that’s a big part of our sound. Also, a lot of the dance music that came out at that time too. Everything from afro beat to funk really,” she considers. Also throw in some New Order, Stooges and Gang of Four for good measure too.
The rest of NYPC nod appreciatively at Tahita’s remarks but give little else away. It’s been a 12-hour day for the band, having been shunted from rehearsal to make up back to rehearsal, then on to live performance and now broadcast and press interviews. “We haven’t seen anyone play tonight,” offers Andy a tad gloomily. “We were locked in the dressing room earlier so we missed Babyshambles wrecking the set.” Evidently they missed stellar performances from Peter Bjorn and John and The Streets too. Still, there seems little chance that rubbing shoulders with Mike Skinner is likely to leave them, well blinded by the lights.
“We’re quite lucky because we’re signed to a sort of independent label (Modular), who are very supportive of their bands,” Andy explains. “If we’d signed to a major there might have been a bit of pressure to deliver a hit straightaway. It will take a little while, but once people get the pony love, it will happen,” he offers.
It might not take as long as he thinks. An EP is due in the next couple of months, and an as-yet untitled debut album is slated for February. NYPC have just finished recording tracks and will be debuting new material on a forthcoming US tour this autumn. Gigwise is desperate to find out more about the EP. Andy turns to Gigwise, sighs and intones disdainfully, “It’s a small collection of our songs to be released to the general public.”
Cue spontaneous laughter from all five members as they collapse in fits of giggles at the idea of having to explain in words something they accomplish in music. Still, it demonstrates a healthy contempt for knotty musical debate that will stand them in good stead. In unison NYPC tell Gigwise they’re now “off to get pissed.” Just don’t mention anything about needing a nosebag.
