Katy Vernon has gone through a lot of musical changes in the last couple years, but like a butterfly, each metamorphosis seems like a level up. Favourite Girl is the latest iteration and it feels powerfully women-based. I saw her play earlier this summer and it sounded great. She has a single and video release coming up on September 6 at the Mixed Blood Theater. Should be an interesting show for all ages. Hope there’s room to dance!
For folks who don’t know you like I do, can you tell us a little about yourself and your music pre-Favourite Girl?
I am a British born singer songwriter. I moved to the US from London, UK in the mid 90’s and my first ever gigs were at the Loring Cafe and The 400 Bar. I have been the lead singer in a Folk/Pop band, a solo ukulele player, had my own Katy Vernon band (Americana/Folk) for 10 years, and I’m even a member of an ABBA Tribute band (ABBASolutely Fab). I really love the variety of performing in different ways. Right now I usually do a solo ukulele tour of the UK every year and then spend my MN time split between a few projects. Winning Best Acoustic Performer in the City Pages in 2020 felt like a nice acknowledgment that I pop up and play everywhere and work hard at it. I never take being on stage for granted no matter what the gig is. I also book music series in a couple of different communities and enjoy working to expand access to opportunities. I have 3 albums out right now if people want to hear what I have released so far.
How did Favourite Girl emerge? Seeing you and Barb Brynstad together on stage reminds me of some of your great performances with Lizz Winstead’s Sexist Songs Sung by Righteous Feminists.
Yes! I love those shows. I actually met Barb a few years prior to knowing about those shows. She plays with a lot of bands and was filling in at a tribute show I was doing at Brits. I loved her playing and her vibe. I’ve been wanting to play in a band again with her for awhile. Pre 2020 I was thinking of starting up a 1960’s themed tribute to British women singers, but it never got off the ground at that time.
Ever since my Katy Vernon band disbanded in 2021 I had been thinking about starting a new band. I knew I wanted it to be mostly women, mostly due to the subject matter I kept writing about. I kept writing feminist anthems. I couldn’t stop myself! I wrote a song called ‘Shine’ for the METOOMPLS record in 2020 and I was inspired to write more songs about lifting up fellow women, and also lifting myself up. I have spent a lot of my life putting down my achievements and never feeling good enough. I was tired of that attitude and wanted to encourage myself and others to just get out there and play! I wanted to have the confidence of a mediocre white man, and I have a pin that says that on my ukulele strap as motivation! So I decided to start a rock band. I called it Favourite Girl because I wanted to feel like someone’s favourite (British spelling), I wanted to be the girl with the most cake! But I also wanted to make a comment on the presumed competition between women in music and make fun of that.
I approached Jenny Case (who is also in my Abba band) about starting the new band and she initially came on board and helped me launch the project. We quickly realized it was going to be a bigger commitment than she wanted so we found the incredible Allie Pikala, who jumped in on lead guitar. We had already found Alyse Emmanuel (Kiss The Tiger) on drums and then the last piece of the puzzle was Paul Odegaard on trumpet. He’s the only guy, and also the only member of my last band to stay on board. It’s important to have people around you that are encouraging.
Please tell us about the upcoming show at the Mixed Blood Theater.
It’s a totally DIY rock and roll show!! It’s not a typical music venue so there are no built in crowds, and that is a little risky, but it’s an awesome space and the drama major in me knows it will be a blast to take over a venue for the night and make it our own. The other bands on the list: Annie & The Bang Bang, and Mayda, were chosen due to their theater experience and sheer fun power as bands. I am also excited that because the musicians are in control we can start and end when we want to. The music ends at 9pm and that makes me happy. It’s also going to be an all ages show, which I think is important. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
You are going to release a single and video at the show. The song feels like a feminist anthem. What was the inspiration? Or maybe I should ask, was there one specific experience that made you get up and say – I going to write that now.
After my band broke up in the summer of 2021 I felt pretty defeated. Not only by the breakup, but also by the state of the music industry. We had played all our rescheduled shows from 2020 but there was no excitement or plan going forward. I wondered if I would even still have a career, and didn’t know to recapture that feeling of joy and ambition that helps propel the music. So I just sat with that feeling and realized a few things. Once, that I will never ever stop singing and writing, and two, that everything comes down to the songs. If you write good music then people will respond. If you surround yourself with good musicians then you can make that song better than you can alone. I didn’t have anyone to prove anything to, but I needed to believe in myself again. Every song I have written for the new band feels like advice I need to take myself. It doesn’t take itself too seriously either.
And can you give us a sneak peek at idea behind or even the actual video? Here is a snippet : )
This debut video by new band Favourite Girl shows Katy Vernon returning to the roots of her musical journey in Minneapolis.
The song opens with her at the site of the legendary 400 Bar. This is where Katy had her first release show in 1999 in her adopted home city. As she walks the streets of the Cedar Riverside area she passes The Cedar, makes her way by Palmers, and ends up entering Mixed Blood Theatre.
These iconic venues represent the growth and longevity of Katy’s career.
You are also introduced to the new members of Katy’s latest project Favourite Girl.
Katy Vernon – Ukulele/Vocals, Barb Brynstad – Bass/Vocals, Allie Pikala – Lead Guitar/Vocals, Alyse Emanuel – Drums/Vocals, and Paul Odegaard – Trumpet. Performing live at The Parkway Theater.
The song itself is a Feminist Anthem of self belief and perseverance. No matter how long your music career may be and what challenges you face you should never give up on yourself.
The wide eyed innocence and determination that you start out with may get dimmed but music can always bring you joy and encourage others to keep going. You may not be everyone’s favourite but you will be someone’s favourite, even if just your own.
This video is a love letter to Minneapolis and its vibrant and supportive music scene. Sharp eyed viewers may notice an homage to a past newcomer to Minneapolis who was also looking for adventure!
Mostly Minnesota 