“When we first started, having an all female line up felt like a hindrance. People were so negative towards us. Every review was about our gender; we encountered casual sexism at every show we played. We had to prove ourselves, and we did. We can play as well and as hard as any men. We’re a tough bunch and nothing will stop us.” -PINS
Faith Holgate, vocalist and guitarist for Manchester pop-punk darlings, PINS, has certainly proven this assertion true over the four years they’ve been together. Since 2011, they released their debut album, formed the cassette label Haus Of Pins, and played all over the world. Their sophomore full-length, Wild Nights, came out last June to high praise. Of the album’s creative process, Faith counts a seminal female literary figure as having central importance. “To me, it’s a coming of age record. I’ve learned a lot of life lessons; a lot happened between starting and finishing it…I often read lots of poems and lyrics when I want to feel inspired, most notably would be ‘Wild Nights’ by Emily Dickinson. So much so that we named our album after her poem.”
Though they credit shoegaze pioneers like The Jesus And Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine as having made an early impact on their sound, it’s the Riot Grrrl movement that PINS considers influential to their ethos as a band. “The music industry in general is rightly criticized for its lack of female artists. The Riot Grrrl movement was incredible and made some massive waves, but it still feels like we’re fighting to get a voice.” Their admiration of those early female bands came full-circle this year when they landed a European tour supporting the legendary Sleater-Kinney. When asked for stories from the road, however, Faith maintained her decorum: “What happens on tour stays on tour! Just kidding, it wasn’t that sort of tour; it was a large-scale production – really professional. We were on our best behaviour. Although in Germany we all got tattoos and took a bath together.”
Expect big things to come from this talented crew as they prepare to embark on a headlining tour across Europe and the UK this year. “You can expect to see a lot more of us,” says Faith, while PINS guitarist Lois McDonald sums up what’s on their horizon in three simple words: “Noise and glitter.”
PINS photographed by Erica Bergsmed for The Untitled Magazine #GirlPower Issue
Stylist: Rhona Ezuma
Hair by Steven Riashi
Make-up by Wai Kan
This article originally appeared in The #GirlPower Issue of The Untitled Magazine (2015). pick up a print edition of the issue today!
