If you haven’t heard one of Ladyhawke’s more popular tunes doing the rounds on adverts, catwalk shows, Skins (probably) or Hollyoaks (definitely) then you need to get yourself to Spotify quick-sharp.
Her self-titled debut album, a delicious mix of nostalgic '80s synth, pulsating beats and savvy vocals, was released last year and has been a slow-burner in the UK; a hit first of all with the cool kids on the club circuit and then slowly but surely a hit with the rest of us with day jobs.
When I think of Ladyhawke, a mess of blonde hair and oversized clothes, I can’t help but revert to that horribly patronising, sentimental language that elderly men seem to employ when talking to five year olds.
I want to tell you how cute she is and refer to her as a ‘little lady’ – and I’m really in no position to make height-related comments, let me tell you. Why is this? After all, Pip (such an amazingly appropriate name for this little la- oh god, I can’t stop!) is a confident, talented, successful woman who decided what she wanted to do and just went out and did it. All regardless of setbacks including reluctant neighbours, health issues, pesky boys and epic back-of-the-van carsickness.
She is so brilliantly unassuming that you wouldn’t be able to stop yourself from liking her if you met her in real life. When I saw her live recently she didn’t chat much between songs. But when she did it felt like we were someone she’d met recently and hit it off with, but she was still at that slightly nervous stage where you stumble over your words and end up putting your hand to your forehead quite a lot.
Peering out from beneath that chunky blonde fringe, she somehow manages to be a popular female performer who doesn’t give off that attention-seeking vibe. As a result, people pay attention because the music is friendly, nostalgic and achingly cool, not because she wears see-through dresses or acts like she’s better than the rest of us. With her boy clothes and DIY values, Ladyhawke is a welcome antidote to the Lily Allens and Peaches Geldoffs of the world – fame founded on talent not gimmicks, fashion or famous fathers.
Image via ladyhawkemusic.com