Source: Laura Halbert
We caught up with Canadian darling, Billy The Kid, after her supporting slot for Against Me!. On the agenda was staying true to yourself, taking a hands on approach to music, writing books and her buddy, Frank Turner. Oh, and did we mention, this interview was conducted in the venue’s toilet? There’s a first for everything!
Hit The Floor: You’ve just finished your set here in Glasgow, how did it go?
Billy The Kid: It was awesome! I’m so excited to be here because I’ve been dying to come my whole life, and just like everybody said it would be they [the crowd] were incredible.
HTF: How’s the tour going so far anyway?
BTK: This is the third show so far and I’ve had a cold the whole time. But that’s the only bad thing I can say about it. On the first night, they [Against Me!] were like, ‘Billy, why don’t you stay on our tour bus with us?‘, so it’s been like one big slumber party ever since we first met.
HTF: A lot of artists have great things to say about touring with Against Me!, what’s it been like for you?
BTK: I guess it’s a great thing when you look up to someone personally and then when you meet them, they’re a great person too. They’ve been incredibly welcoming and kind.
HTF: You worked with Frank Turner on your latest album, what was that like?
BTK: It was pretty fun because he was the acting producer, but we just spent a lot of the time playing music. He played bass, I played guitar and his drummer, Nigel, played drums and it was all live. So there wasn’t really much telling me what to do.
HTF: You started out your musical career fronting a couple of bands, but you mostly just play by yourself, is that right?
BTK: Billy and the Lost Boys was the first band I started out in. But even now, sometimes I’ll play with a band if it makes sense. But it’s easier for me to just play by myself a lot of the time. The plan in the future is to have a band that I can take out on tour with me.
HTF: Is it daunting for you to be out on stage on your own?
BTK: Sometimes it does. Sometimes I do get a little bit nervous about it, but overall I’m just excited to get out and play shows. I’m just happy I get to do this – every day is an opportunity.
HTF: Who would you say your main influences are?
BTK: I love Ryan Adams. I look up to a lot of people who’ve become friends over the years too like, Chuck Ragan, Against Me!, Frank Turner. People who I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and get to know a little bit.
HTF: You’re pretty DIY in your approach to making music, is that an important thing for you?
BTK: Yeah, it’s always been important for me to do my own thing but luckily I’m in a world where I can continue to be myself. I never was trying to be on the radio or some kind of pop star. So I just try to stay true to myself and hope that it works out.
HTF: Your stage name is Billy The Kid, do people ever think you’re a guy, before they listen to you or meet you?
BTK: I played my first show when I was a teenager, which is why I got the name ‘Kid’ because I was always the youngest. Sometimes I think my stage name works in my favour because people think that I’m a guy and so I’ll maybe get a show or something but I like like to live in a world where it doesn’t matter, and where gender isn’t an issue. Luckily I’m coming from the punk rock scene and that’s the way it’s always been. I guess the worst thing is that some people expect a certain thing when they see me play, like when some people say to me, ‘I was expecting you to not be able to play guitar because you’re a girl‘. But the good thing is that I can hopefully show people that not all girls suck at playing guitar. That’s an awful stereotype.
HTF: Are there any female musicians you look up to?
BTK: When I was growing up, artists like Ani DiFranco as a guitar player, but also, all the Riot Grrrl stuff in the 90’s. Some of my first records were from around that time; it started with Nirvana, Bikini Kill and then Babes in Toyland, even Hole. Just all of these girls who really kicked ass with their music.
HTF: Is that something you hope to bring to the table with your music?
BTK: I hope so! That would be a great honour for me to be able to pass that on, because there’s not many of us out there, you know?
HTF: We spied your book on the merch table, tell us a bit about that?
BTK: It’s called ‘The Smallest Small Ball’ and it’s about a cartoon me and my little buddy. We go on some adventures and learn a few things. The message behind it is that you can do anything you want if you set your mind to it.
HTF: Lastly, what’s next for you?
BTK: I’ve got a show in London with Frank Turner and Billy Bragg, and then it’s the new year, new game plan. I’m hopefully just going to keep getting to play shows.
HTF: Can we expect a UK tour?
BTK: Oh goodness! Hopefully soon. I’m dying to come back!
