Artbeat: The Bloom Twins

Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking with the Bloom Twins, aka actual identical twins Anna and Sonya Kuprienko. Having moved to London from the Ukraine three years ago, they have been steadily capturing attention with their self-described style of ‘dark pop’ – merging genres with distinct, seductive vocals and even the flute. Having seen them play at Acoustic East and the crowd reaction, I knew they were pretty special. Read on to find out more about the lovely ladies!

Describe London in three words
Sonya: Diverse, friendly but honest – people in London are very honest!
Anna: Sweet, bittersweet, challenging – you experience all sorts in London

What/who inspired you to do what you do?
Everything and everything! It can be the weather, other music, our parents. 3 years ago, we sang a couple of songs to Lenka (Chubuklieva, their manager). She asked us to move to London and we remember our parents wishing us good luck and hoping we would achieve what we wanted. Our mum even came for 5 days to make sure we settled in! Lenka herself is very inspiring!

What was the song of your youth?
‘Help’ by The Beatles. Everyday when we woke up, we would sing it as a family even though we didn’t understand the words!

What do you love about what you do?
A: I enjoy every second of it, the ups and downs, because without challenge, there is no creativity and I really love the challenge
S: I love that music is a language everyone speaks, music has no age. Everything else, like Facebook will fade away, but music itself is timeless

And hate?
A: Love and hate go together, without one, you can’t have the other so the difficult moments are just as important!
S: I don’t like how people put a premium on the way we look rather than how we sound, especially because I believe everything except the music will fade away.
A: It’s true, when you see a person, how they look gives you a first impression. Only then do you think about the person themselves. Someone like Adele is inspiring because she makes people notice her voice.

What makes London’s arts and culture scene unique to you?
S: Our free museums! Art belongs to everyone in the world, not just those with money. Everyone has the right to experience art and have an opinion.
A: I love the underground, the tube! It’s an exhibition in itself with all the different people, the diversity and what you can see!

Who should we be keeping an eye out for (on the arts and culture scene)?
Joshua Kane Bespoke. He used to work with Burberry and is now his own designer creating bespoke clothes. He is incredible, very cool. Also, Suli Breaks (spoken word poet). He spoke after we had performed at a show and he was hypnotic, the way he interacted with the crowd. And we found out he was on TED talks!

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
Moving to London without our parents and not having the language. And we wanted to conquer London. At some point we realised, we are alone here, we will have to work very hard and figure it out. Initially, we were so lazy! To teach us English, we remember one day Lenka said to us here is a postcode and you will have no phone – meet me at this place at a particular time. We panicked and realised we had to ask for help. And speak English!

Share something about you that would surprise us!
A: We both used to work for Starbucks. Actually, people treated us well, way better than the coffee! Lenka decided we need to work there and help us to practice our English and it worked.
S: I watched Star Wars for the first time a couple of months ago! I have to say it was a bit weird and I didn’t get it….

What’s your favourite spot in London?
A: One of my favourite coffee places is Shot Expresso in Fulham Broadway. That is my ritual every morning!
S: I love a pub called Paradise (by way of Kensal Green). We met our drummer (Paul Love) there too… Wednesdays are the best as they have an Open Mic night.

Who do you love to follow on Twitter/Instagram?
A: On Twitter for me its James Blunt. The way he talks and interacts; his sarcasm and irony are too funny.
S: On Instagram I follow the United Nations, Adele and Pam Hogg (fashion designer)

What’s the last country you visited?
We were in Ibiza playing at the Heart closing party. People so chilled and relaxed, it was so easy to talk to everyone and no time to sleep! We were able to experience a lot.

Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
Both: My sister!

What are you doing after this interview?
Today is Friday, which means our neighbours are out and we can practice. Friday is definitely a practice day, quite chilled but we have our own party!

The Bloom Twins are next playing:

Friday 23rd October at Positive for Youth Awards 2015, 310 Uxbridge Rd, London W12 7LJ. Doors: 7.30pm onwards, Bush Hall (Shepherds Bush).

Friday 6th November at Proud Camden, Doors: 7.30pm – 2.30am. Tickets: £5 OTD or buy online at www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/abi0611.

Follow the Bloom Twins at: http://www.bloomtwins.com/