Sassyhiya are real-life as well as musical partners Kathy Wright and Helen Skinner. Shortly after meeting at a Rollerderby game (where Kathy was skating for the amazingly named Ultraviolent Femmes), the couple had their first date at an Austra show in 2011 and have been bonded in music ever since. A mixture of Television and The Sundays, Sassyhiya are the sweet spot between post-punk and indie pop. They know their way around a melody but still keep it wonky. Their influences range from the Breeders and Broadcast to The Go Betweens and Dolly Parton. After Helen finished playing bass in Boys Forever and Basic Plumbing (much missed Veronica Falls musician Patrick Doyle’s final projects), the couple joined with friends Bart McDonagh and Mark Amura to create the cult South London LGBTQ+ band Barry. As Sassyhiya, they released an EP in January 2022, Gum demos, which was written, played, recorded, and mixed themselves at home in Peckham over lockdown. A second EP. Live at Paper Dress Vintage, followed in November 2022, showcasing the band’s new live line up featuring Pablo Paganotto (of Punching Swans) on drums and Neiloy Mookherjee on guitar. They have recorded a live session for Resonance FM and were featured on an episode of cult YouTube music programme Cutscene TV. They have also been included on compilations for Loud Women and Related Records. They have shared bills with the likes of Fat White Family’s Brian Destiny, Big Joanie, Mr Ben and the Bens, Cable Ties, Fightmilk, Breakup Haircut, Lande Hekt and Snoozers. Their debut album, Take You Somewhere is out now via Skep Wax.

What Kathy Says: “I wanted to write a song in the style of late 70s / early-80s female-fronted post-punk bands like Delta 5 and Oh-OK – arch, spiky and sweet with a playful, scrubby guitar solo. The lyrics of the first few lines are taken, somewhat improbably, from letters between the poets Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell. It’s a conversation between two people, one of whom is a bit obsessive and love-sick. The other isn’t impressed with their advances, though, so decides to reject the angst. It’s about opting cheerfully and without regret for the single life.”

What Kathy says: “This song was written while travelling through Scotland, near Skye. In the car we were passed by someone towing a boat with the name ‘Predator’. A lot of the woodland there is dominated by rhododendrons, an invasive species. It was weirdly jarring to see something so ornamental and domestic running rampant in the wild. I was thinking about living away from civilisation, living an itinerant life, and how that can be very freeing in a way because it makes you anonymous.”

What Helen says: “I wanted to do a song about Kristen Stewart because I think she’s ace and makes great choices when it comes to roles. She’s grown up in the public eye and has still managed to become the person we absolutely hoped she would – someone proud of her queerness plus she’s really cool and fun.” The song features a section about a real-life near-encounter with the star, when Helen saw her filming a scene for Spencer at a nearby Kentucky Fried Chicken on the Old Kent Road. “I stood right next to her while she was dressed as Princess Di but chickened out (pardon the pun) of saying hello.It’s a catchy fun song that everyone can enjoy but I really hope it resonates with queer people. I love the idea of putting something out there into pop culture that reflects the love that the LGBTQ+ community have for Kristen, and that puts a queer spin on the celebrity-inspired pop song. I would love, love, love to hear it played in a queer space or at a lesbian club.”

Their Mixtape: “We are so excited for our debut album “Take You Somewhere” to come out on November the 8th. It’s being released by Skep Wax records, the very excellent label run by Amelia and Rob of Heavenly / Swansea Sound / The Catenary Wires. The fact they said yes to us is an absolute honour and it’s been a pleasure (but not a surprise) to find out what lovely people they are too. The album was recorded by Toby Burroughs of Pozi (one of our favourite bands) in his Rhumbaba studio in South London. There are indiepop moments, spiky post-punk bits, a heartfelt tribute to Kristen Stewart and an even more heartfelt tribute to our cat Crayon. Can’t wait for you to hear it! 🙂“

Helen’s picks

The Mekons – Ghosts of American Astronuats

The Mekons are one of those bands lots of different phases and I pretty much love them all, from the agitpunk of the early stuff (especially “Where were you”) onwards. But my absolute fave era was the So Good It Hurts album from 1988 when they mixed folk and country with post-punk and their heartfelt left-wing politics. They also by that point had Sally Timms on vocals who has one of my all-time favourite voices. “Ghosts of American Astronauts” is haunting and beautiful with strange, evocative lyrics and it’s a once heard, never forgotten kind of song.

Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers – Abominable Snowman In The Market

There are so many Modern Lovers / Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers / Jonathan Richman records it’s mind boggling. I always think I have them all and then another one will pop up while I’m record shopping. But you can never have too many hats, bags or JR albums. Hearing this tune makes me so happy. I love that he can be completely and unashamedly silly and fun in his music. I love silly (as you might realise from some of our tunes haha). My fave lyric: “Well, there’s an abominable snowman in the market / Now he’s down by the peas and carrots”. So good!

The Cardigans – I Need Some Fine Wine And You, You Need To Be Nicer

I feel like the Cardigans don’t get their props, people don’t look past the shiny exterior to find the depth and melancholy under the surface! Half of them were previously in metal bands!! And they love covering Black Sabbath!! Their songs / arrangements / riffs are always so good. Peter Svensson is an amazing guitarist and writer and ended up leaving to write for massive pop people like Ariana Grande and The Weeknd. My good pal Bart introduced me to Nina Persson last year at her show with James Yorkston* and I was embarrassingly star struck! Lol.
*The James Yorkston, Nina Persson and The Second Hand Orchestra’s album The Great White Sea Eagle is also highly recommended!

Dorothy Carter – The Squirrel is a Funny Thing

This is something I discovered not long ago, when a couple of her albums from the 70s were reissued. She played the dulcimer mainly I think and performed traditional, folk and contemporary songs. There’s a really spooky, magical atmosphere to her stuff and I particularly like this one as it name-checks lots of animals!

Kathy’s picks

Lal Waterson & Oliver Knight – Flight of the Pelican

I love folk music and I’m a big fan of Lal Waterson. I just think she was a genius – so imaginative and singular in the way she crafted songs. This one is from Once in A Blue Moon, recorded with her son Oliver Knight. It’s a brilliant album, minimal and enigmatic and haunting, as is this song.

Sondheim/Bernadette Peters – Losing My Mind

This song describes perfectly the state of limerence – an overwhelming infatuation with another, usually unreciprocated, to the point where every routine detail of your day reminds you of them. I love the delicacy of Sondheim’s lyrics, contrasting with the intensity of the theme: “The sun comes up / I think about you / the coffee cup… / I think about you”.

Moondog – High On A Rocky Ledge

In this song, Moondog, aged 62, describes the struggle of climbing a mountain to see his heart’s desire, the Edelweiss flower. A spirit tells him that to truly be with his love, he must throw himself from the mountain – duly he does this, then grows as another flower next to her, allowing them to live together in endless happiness. “Dying to be with her wasn’t any sacrifice”. (I have a fondness for the theatrical, can you tell?)

Dolly Parton – Here You Come Again

I feel bad choosing a Dolly Parton song that she didn’t write herself – this was written by songwriting duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. But this is such a beautiful, hopeful song, with a key change so subtle you hardly notice it. When Dolly sings “and here I go” over the swelling strings at the end, it actually makes me feel like I’m falling in love. How brilliant is that?!

Take You Somewhere is out now via Skep Wax Records. Look HERE for more information on Sassyhiya.