Watermelon Sugar

MUSIC CAREER HISTORY

Who are the members of your band or what is your instrumentation?

Louise Bendall: vocals, guitar, banjo
Hypatia Kingsley: vocals, mandolin, violin, guitar

How did you come up with your band name?

From the book In Watermelon Sugar by Richard Brautigan ...a must read!

At what age did you become interested in music?

Louise: I sang in the choir and took piano lessons as a child but when I picked up the guitar in college and started writing songs I was hooked.
Hypatia: I started playing the violin when I was seven then put it down in college and picked it up again when Watermelon Sugar came together.

Was there anyone who inspired or influenced you to pursue a career as a musician/performer?

Louise: My husband, family, friends, anyone who comes up after a show to tell us how much they like our music, that’s inspiration.
Hypatia: My mother had a band when I was in high school and I played with them, even briefly considered dropping out and touring with them. That definitely had some kind of influence on me.

What project/CD are you most proud of?

Louise: The one we’re currently working on.
Hypatia: I think we get better with each CD so it’s hard to be retrospective.

What performances have you enjoyed the most?

Louise: We always enjoy ourselves. We’ve played in bars, coffee houses, coffee bars, vineyards, vintage stores and we’ve met the most amazing people, jammed with some fantastic musicians.
Hypatia: They’re all pretty darn fun but the best ones are the ones that end with Louise and I staying up to talk all night.

From your experience what qualities do you think an aspiring artist should have today to succeed in this industry?

Louise: Be creative musically and in the business of music.
Hypatia: The music connects you with people but you have to be willing to give more of yourself than just the music. Oh, and have a spine. Not everyone will connect with your music.

ON BEING A ROCKIN’ MOM

How many children do you have? Ages?

Louise: A boy and a girl, five and three.
Hypatia: A four year old daughter and another due in late September.

Did you perform/write music before you were a mom?

Louise: I wrote music and performed with a band called Total Head Confusion in college and then with the Avid Canners after college.
Hypatia: I performed a lot in high school but only started writing music with Watermelon Sugar.

How has motherhood enriched your music and affected your career?

Louise: I used to suffer from performance anxiety. I’m much braver since I’ve pushed a baby out of my vagina.
Hypatia: Becoming a mother provides you with endless creative material and endless distractions while trying to create.

What are the challenges that motherhood brings to you having a music career, if any?

Louise: Make dinner, do the laundry, kiss the scraped knees, practice, be creative, enjoy every moment.
Hypatia: We’re very lucky to have supportive husbands. We couldn’t do any of it without them. One of these days we’ll get our big break and everybody will be able to come with us on the tour bus.

Do your children come and see you perform?

Louise: They’ve seen many of our first sets and are learning to ask Daddy to help them go to the bathroom when Mommy is onstage.
Hypatia: My daughter usually gets the mosh pit started.

How have you made time to balance both careers?

Louise: Being friends has helped but living 350 miles apart has not.
Hypatia: Having a full time job in addition to music and motherhood has been quite a juggling act.

Has being a Rockin’ Mom been positively looked upon by those in the music industry?

Louise: We’ve met so many amazing musicians and everyone has been wonderful to us.
Hypatia: Why not be a Rockin’ Mom?

Any advice/suggestions/tips for other Rockin’ Moms?

Louise: Enjoy it!
Hypatia: Spend time making music with your family.

Where do you see yourself a year from now?

Louise: Working on our fourth album.
Hypatia: Louise will be visiting me in Hong Kong. Asia tour 2007!

Thank you Watermelon Sugar!

Thank you Rockin’ Moms!

For more about Watermelon Sugar visit their website: www.watermelonsugar.com