GROOVES: The musical odyssey that's brought four talented sisters to Camden
Published: 29 March, 2012
by ROISIN GADELRAB
WHEN the Live and Unsigned music talent competition came to Camden earlier this year, such was the appeal that more than 800 musicians turned up to try their luck.
Among the select few that made it through to the next round, which takes place at Dingwalls on Sunday, are The Fourfits, a quartet of talented sisters who play a multitude of instruments, all sing, don’t want to be compared to The Corrs, and specialise in their own compositions mashed up with popular songs.
Guitarist Charlie Moss, the eldest at 23, lives in Camden Road. The band is completed by her sisters, lead vocalist Harriet, 21, who studies English at King’s College, keyboardist Becky, 18, studying art foundation at Camberwell, and drummer Alice, 17, who is still in school in Brussells.
The girls have an international background, having lived in Rome and Brussels as their scientist father moved for work.
Charlie said: “That made us tight as a family. When you’re travelling, home is where your family is. We’re used to being a self-sufficient unit.”
They learned to play from a young age – Charlie learning guitar from her father – and take their music wherever they go.
Charlie said: “We love busking on holiday. We busk outside restaurants and bring more customers. We earn wine and a bit of money, but when you divide it by four it’s not a lot, so we think it’s better to earn wine.”
The girls formed a band around their youngest sister, Alice, when they realised she was a naturally skilled drummer.
Charlie said: “Harriet asked for a drum kit but didn’t use it. Alice picked it up. She’s one of those people who’s got natural rhythm. We started the band because Alice was a great drummer, she’s often our showpiece. We didn’t want her to play along to a recorded soundtrack CD. She wants to apply to the Royal Academy to be a jazz drummer.”
It didn’t take long to identify Harriet – the loudest according to Charlie – as the lead singer. “She wasn’t allowed a microphone until she could sing over the drums. She used to sing over this tiny drum kit but when her voice was strong enough all the electrical equipment came.”
The girls quickly became masters at covers, putting their own twist on songs and specialising in harmonies.
Being sisters does come with its own hazards. “We do fight. Some of our best songwriting sessions were when we weren’t speaking to each other,” said Charlie.
“We all storm out, have a fight, then we go back in and start treating each other like normal band members.
“When you’re sisters you can tell someone something’s rubbish. You don’t have that kind of tentative encouragement that you would in other bands. It’s very much brutal honesty.”
These days they rehearse in Denmark Street, where they bought their guitars and are regulars on the Camden circuit.
On moving to Camden, Charlie said: “We play in Proud and Enterprise regularly. I wanted to be somewhere you can walk out and play a gig.”
For Sunday’s Live and Unsigned show – they are scheduled to play at 4pm.
• Further information visit The Fourfits’ facebook page and www.liveandunsigned.uk.com