The Femcels.
Polina Boyko / via the artist
The Opener is The FADER’s short-form profile series of casual conversations with exciting new artists.
This winter, I was introduced to The Femcels through their riveting debut album I Have To Get Hotter. Across 32 minutes of exhilarating electro-twee, Rowan Miles and Gabriella Turton examine the all-too-human sensations of living in the real world, from the stoned and sartorial to the indignities of dating as a young adult in the modern era. And contrary to their ragebaiting moniker, the British electro-twee duo are neither hikikomori shut-ins nor Lysistratan celibates – as terminally online as Gabriella and Rowan clearly are, their music only occasionally brushes up against the digital.
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Instead, the London singers’ vignettes take on an almost absurdist quality, whether trading sapphic pickup advice on “You’re Gay And You’re In Love With Me (Please Let Me Touch Your Boobs)” or dousing a lover in water the morning after “because I knew he would never text me” (“I’m So Fat”). And there's a tongue-in-cheek edge to much of their antics, like putting Adam22 on their album cover or this ridiculous cover of "Lollipop" by Lil Wayne. These gestures could come across as outright bait, but the eclecticism of the pair's taste feels more like a snapshot of how we're all versed in a little bit of everything thanks to the diffusion of taste via social media and streaming algorithms.
Produced by Ike Clateman of Bassvictim with a little help from Rowan's collaborator Leo Fincham (the pair are in a band called WorldPeace D.M.T.), it feels trite to say I Have To Get Hotter doesn’t sound like any other album. But its distinct blend of acoustic and synthesized textures, combined with our protagonists’ knack for uncanny, indelible images, helps to explain in part why The Femcels were playing early shows alongside fakemink and EsDeeKid back when they only had a few songs out. Now, they’re gearing up for a mini-tour of North America in July, hitting San Francisco and Toronto in addition to the big 3 (LA, New York, Chicago).
The FADER caught up with Rowan and Gabriella of The Femcels over email to chat about movie recommendations, the ideal level of fame, and the first concerts they ever attended.
What’s the coolest thing to do in your hometown?
Gabriella: go to the smallest pub in the world - the shed - it’s a guy’s shed
Rowan: Shoot your parents
What was the first album you bought?
Rowan: Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj, bought it in HMV with my grandma I couldn’t figure out if her legs were real or not.
Gabriella: Jayz the blueprint 3 when I was about 7. I heard he was the coolest guy in the worldz. I also liked the cover.
What was the last movie you watched?.
Gabriella: Blood and black lace 1964 European film ( it’s Italian but the actors speak different languages so it dubs extremely well)I went on to Etsy straight after and looked for a red velvet mannequin.
Rowan: The last movie I watched was 2 random episodes of succession. I feel like I’m Roman, my boyfriend is Tom. We are the perfect couple
When you’re not making music, how do you spend your free time?
Rowan: I buy and eat big sandwich
Gabriella: Eating banana splits and reading non fic
What’s a motto you think everyone should live by?
Gabriella: Ohhh it’s only money
Rowan: I would say be yourself but if you aren’t interesting maybe be someone else ?
What’s a song you’d want to remix and why?
Rowan: I have never wanted to do anything of the sort
Gabriella: “Typical Girl” by The Slits and make it actually pick me
Explain a lyric of yours that people misunderstand.
Gabriella: Someone on reels thought “Not ur Friend” was a sexual song. It’s actually about a boy I kissed once and me trying to convince him we’re in love.
Rowan: I don’t think we have garnered enough attention yet but people keep writing that we are mean ? I think we are probably the nicest girls you’ve ever met
What’s the best thing you’ve bought for $100 or less?
Gabriella: Pan flutes that Dont work
Rowan: I have never bought anything that costs more than that ? Sooo ummm maybe nice 60s dresses
Tell us about your favorite tattoo or accessory.
Gabriella: I have a 50s box briefcase bag with a hand painted poodle.
Rowan: I lose my accessories constantly and it causes me bad mental health aaaaaand I think tattoos are ugly
What’s the ideal level of fame and why?
Rowan: Get free clothes from everyone. Force people to give us the clothes off their back
Gabriella: Getting loads of free clothes. But life after 27.
What's the last meme you saved to your phone?
Rowan's choice.
Gabriella's choice.
Describe your perfect afternoon.
Gabriella: Swim. Read. Negroni. Ice cream whipped cream strawberries. Cool car. Speakers. BFF . Good news. Better weather. Even better company. Water park.
Rowan: It’s Sunny and I’m giving birth
Best advice you’ve gotten?
Gabriella: Take pride
Rowan: ‘what are you going to do to make your life magical?’ - cobrasnake ‘just remember you’re god honey!’ -Pamela des barres
Worst advice you’ve gotten
Rowan: ‘Make hyperpop’ - my bf
Gabriella: Take the next left.
What’s something you’re looking forward to?
Gabriella: Chicago.
Rowan: Huge royalty check / selling my soul
Describe the best concert you’ve attended
Rowan: probably the first evanora unlimited/ WC Sinclair I saw in Berlin in 2021
Gabriella: Oh uhhh . I saw Baby metal at 13 in Tokyo. It changed me.
What’s the last thing you wrote in your notes app?
Gabriella: Lyrics about a woman obsessed with Magic Mike.
Rowan: “During boiler room set Eat a 3 course meal”
Polina Boyko / via artist
