13 Days of Halloween: Horror Q&A – Pollyanna Blues
Bristol-based alt-rock two-piece Pollyanna Blue will release of their upcoming single ‘Haunted’, on October 24th.
Formed in the summer of 2019 by Zoe Collins (guitar and vocals) and Rich Earle (bass and vocals), the duo released their debut single Saviour during 2020’s lockdown, being forced to utilise the digital age to share song ideas online before being able to get together in a room to piece them together.
The band’s name was inspired by a self help book ‘Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway’, which talks about a nickname ‘Pollyanna’, typically given to a person who is deemed overtly optimistic. That ethos, combined with their ability to connect with the more difficult waves of emotions life throws at you, comes together to form the overall 90’s / 00’s alt-rock band vibe that they strive for; powerful and painful.
Their latest single Haunted, taken from their upcoming EP due in 2023, was one of the first songs Zoe had written before starting her Masters in Songwriting and Production in 2017. Feeling like it didn’t have the life in it that she’d anticipated, she took the song to Rich who helped break the song down to its bare bones and fleshed it out with a raw, heavier sonic and darker influence.
Recorded by Ash Scott (Memorist, Harper), Haunted is a tormenting track that lyrically explores processing and mentally fighting against anguish and the pressures of repetitive situations.
Speaking of the inspiration for the song, lyricist and vocalist Zoe Collins says:
In this song trauma is depicted as an unforgiving evil spirit that will come at you at night and relentlessly try to tear you down. The impactful delivery of the lyrics harnesses the real range of emotions of someone experiencing immense feelings of emptiness, sadness and anger. The lyric ‘like a headache’ depicts the side effects of dealing with large and repetitive amounts of trauma and stress to the brain, painting an unpleasant experience for the person being Haunted by their own predicament.
The track’s music video, due on Halloween (October 31st) was directed, filmed and edited by Kieran Gallop (Phoxjaw, Sleep Token) and reflects the lyrical themes of the track.
Halloween Horror Q&A
1. Happy Halloween! Tell us, what is your perfect Halloween night?
For us a perfect Halloween night would be a chilled but fun night in with friends. Listening to music and sharing new music to each other while we catch up, and then get the horror movies out and get spooked!
2. What is the perfect Halloween horror to put on?
The more intense the better!!! Can’t go wrong with an exorcism movie!
3. In our best Ghostface voice – what’s your personal favourite scary movie and why?
Have to say the 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later are a top!! Can’t go wrong with super fast vicious zombies to get your heart pumping.
4. What’s your earliest memory of seeing a horror movie?
(Zoe) One time when I was like 11 or 12 when I couldn’t sleep I would just leave the tv running. At 2am I accidentally watched The Texas Chainsaw Massacre! Which obviously scared the hell out of me!
5. Have you ever experienced something unusual or unexplainable in real life?
Would you count the pandemic? Always made me think of zombies were real, I think we’d be screwed.
6. What’s the best modern horror you’ve seen recently?
The Escape Room, like Saw, but way less gory!
7. What is your favourite type of horror?
Zombie movies are a go to, closely followed by a paranormal movie.
8. What’s a horror cliché that you just can’t stand?
When they get chased and then almost escape and then in the last moment before escaping they fall over something ridiculous and then meet their demise!
9. Freddy, Michael or Jason? Who is your favourite and why?
Freddy, cause he seems the most unreasonable.
10. 70s sleaze or 80s cheese. What’s your poison and why?
70s sleaze, because it’s the lesser of the two evils.
11. Would you rather: spend a night in 112 Ocean Avenue (Amityville) or Hill House (The Haunting/The Haunting of Hill House)?
Neither is going to be good, but I guess Hill House?
12. Would you rather: ‘play a game’ (Saw) or be ‘shown such sights’ (Hellraiser)?
Hellraiser all the way! Saw is just twisted and cruel.
13. Would you rather: have a good guy doll (Chucky) or an Annabelle doll (Annabelle/The Conjuring)?
Chucky! Cause I’m sure we could be mates!
14. Would you rather: be stuck in the Burkittsville, Maryland woods (Blair Witch) or stuck in the caves of the Appalachian Mountains (The Descent)?
Tactically would have to go for Maryland woods, just because I’m clumsy and I’d either get caught or meet me death by falling over.
15. Would you rather: be hunted by the Predator or by the Alien?
Predator! Cause I’d like the think it would be quick and also nothing laying eggs in my face.
16. What character would you be in a traditional slasher movie (the nerd, the jock, the cheerleader, the final girl etc)?
Obviously the final girl, because she’s generally the last one standing!
Links
Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
