Mandy, Indiana

Photo by Holly Whitaker

Name, where are you from?
V: My name is Valentine, and I’m from Paris (the one in France).
S: Scott, from North Wales originally.

Describe your style in three words?
V: Grungy sexy chic.
S: Casual sports funeral.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
V: Probably the Blur gig where I nearly died. If I had to pick a song I’d probably say 'Beetlebum'.
S: Couldn't possibly choose "the best", but a memorable one was Mugison in Manchester Academy 3. There were only about five people there and I think he was disappointed, but it ended up being very intimate and he casually chatted with us between songs.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
V: I’d want to play second on a bill with David Bowie opening and Rammstein headlining.
S: Two terrible Star Wars themed cover bands, the second worse than the first and then we'd headline.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
S: Definitely the current DIY scene in Manchester, like anything that Absolute Fiction put on. Attending a BYOB event, with a borrowed P.A and the drums not mic'd up, under bright fluorescent lighting in a gallery space is the most enjoyable and liberating way to experience a gig. That's what real gigs feel like for me. We’re hopefully gonna do some gigs at our rehearsal space at some point. Also, it’s super cliché for a band like us to say but I’m very inspired by the New York no wave scene. I particularly enjoyed reading Byron Coley and Thurston Moore’s book on that period, which is quite dry but the photos are amazing!
V: I kinda had my musical awakening with '90s grunge and British punk music when I was fourteen, and I never fully recovered from it.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
V: Marie Antoinette. Did you know she never said the cake thing?
S: Spike Spiegel, just eating cup noodles and sitting around looking cool together.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
V: Manchester Albert Hall, hands down. I had whisky in their shower after our set, I’m pretty sure that’s the exact moment I peaked.
S: Hard to pick a favourite, it changes all the time but I love Soup Kitchen in Manchester, I've had some amazing experiences there.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
S: Probably Pat Flegel (AKA Cindy Lee). They are making some of the most interesting music right now and giving zero f*cks about convention.
V: Can I be very soppy? My bandmate Scott. I hope he comes to be sung, but I just love his brain man.

Mandy, Indiana recently released their new single 'Bottle Episode', check it below. The track is taken from their upcoming debut EP '...' which is due for release 19th November 2022 via Fire Talk Records. Pre-order it via mandyindiana.bandcamp.com.

Mandy, Indiana will also headline their first London show at The Windmill, Brixton on Sat 30th October 2021. Details and tickets can be found here.