Doomed Confessionary: Lise, Anna & Alice (Pythies)
Photo by Apolline Grane
Pythies is an all-female grunge punk band from Paris (France), created by Lise.L. At the end of 2022, she decided to form a new musical project lead only by women, which included influences of the grunge culture of the 90s (L7, 7 Year Bitch, Babes In Toyland, Hole) and her taste for witchcraft.
The band is formed of three very strong personalities which make a fierce alliance: behind the drums Anna brings a bit of craziness and a wild grunge energy, Alice embraces a punk and witchy attitude with noise guitar & Lise (who writes and composes all the songs) knows how to mix sensuality, melody and an intense need to riot.
The trio embrace themes that were already present in their earlier releases, such as feminism and esoterism, but with the challenge to incorporate some noisy and dissonants sounds in the music while remaining a little “bitchy”.
Pythies just released their debut EP »Disillusion« today, September 20th, 2024 via Icy Cold Records.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Our band is a female-only witchy grungy trio, which has been formed by Lise.L, the bass player and singer of the band. Anna B. Void is the drummer and Alice Adjutor is the guitar player, they both do backing vocals.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
I think the biggest challenge is to be an only women band, first of all. It is still very much of a burden to wear, even in 2024, we are surrounded by men and by the patriarchy which is particularly prominent in this industry.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Lise: I think we can be proud of what we’ve accomplished in so little time. We’re very grateful for the people that put their trust in us, thanks to them we’ve been able to do things we only dreamed of, like touring the US or even playing big venues in Paris.
Anna: I am really proud of the progress made with Pythies, proud of the sincerity of our speech and music.
Alice: I only joined the band a few months ago but I get to see how audacity, hard work and mutual trust led Lise and Anne to fast results so far : a well-engaged audience, gigs every week, international tours, an upcoming EP. This is all very exciting and I’m proud to be part of the team.
What was your biggest regret?
Lise: I trusted the wrong people, multiple times, and it’s been disappointing, especially when it comes to work.
Anna: Same as Lise. I think I gave too much time to people who were revealed to be very bad. I wasted time and health. Now, I pay more attention.
Alice: Having done certain things too fast and too hard in the fear of being forgotten or unproductive. The rules of the music industry can blind you sometimes. But lesson learned. Quality work takes time and it’s ok.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Lise: My favorite tour was the one in the south west of France when we played the Xtrem festival, cause it was the first one with Alice, but I’m pretty sure the upcoming US tour will soon be my new favorite.
Anna: I loved our show at the Vilain Festival (Brittany) mid-September, because we had so much time to do the concert and the audience was very receptive, the show was transcendental. Otherwise, any concert where young girls come to talk to us after the show, I love exchanging with them and encouraging them to make music.
Alice: I absolutely love the Femme Rebellion Fest (feminist German once-in-a-year tour, go check them out!). With Pythies, everything was fun so far, and I especially enjoyed the UK tour! Cause it was a full mini-tour experience: shopping, finding the best place to eat, figuring out who’s sleeping on the couch, talking for hours in the car, visiting places…getting to know each other and enjoy each other’s company.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Lise: I think what surprised me and still continues to do so is how our music can affect people, and especially inspire younger women, you never think that you can actually do that until it really happens.
Anna: I really appreciate when people count down the drumsticks with me or accentuate the cymbal hits. The first time I saw it, it was like an explosion of pleasure for me, so now I accentuate that at each show.
Alice: The restlessness of some of us, working so hard for years and years, perfecting their skills and even helping other artists, becoming bookers, promoters, PR, to be able to make it, never surrendering despite being broke and somehow disillusioned. They participate in keeping the scene healthy and alive.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Lise: I would say Turnstile and some punk hardocre stuff.
Alice: System Of A Down.
Anna: Obituary, Death, Whourkr, Strapping Young Lad, Cattle Decapitation, Wormfood.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Lise: I don’t really believe in advice, everyone is different, you should just figure out what works for you the best.
Anna: Believe in yourself, do your best, be honest, and don’t forget to take care of yourself.
Alice: Don’t try and impress everyone, just find YOUR audience and start a love story with them. Works with life in general too.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Lise: I love ultra-pop music and slutty pop from the 2000s.
Anna: Eating fluffy pancakes in front of Troma Films.
Alice: Fine red wine.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Paris?
Lise: I think Paris is becoming a really difficult place to play and to be as a small band. If you’re not a nepo-baby, or if you don’t know anyone, it’s practically impossible now. I think the scene is totally fucked, lots of models playing rockstars and even there’s a huge lack of sorority between women.
Anna: I am very happy to see more and more events with female music bands, with a new generation of women, open-minded on gender questions and who assert themselves.
Alice: Very interesting to watch. Musicians are getting wiser, they want to be in control of their sound and their image. They are less clueless, more self-managing, more mature and responsible too. The demand for gender equality is also reshaping the landscape.
Photo by Apolline Grane
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We have a whole tour coming up (France, Italy, UK, US, Germany), you can check it out on our socials.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We have many cool things planned, working with Icy Cold Records which helped us with the making of our first vinyl, touring the US as I said before, and also thinking about our first album!
How can people best support your band?
Lise: I think the best way you can support any band, besides coming to their shows, is to buy merch. No matter what, even the smallest thing, that’s how you can help us. Bandcamp is a very good platform to do so if you can’t come to the shows, they do something called Bandcamp Friday : basically, every Friday, if you buy merch, Bandcamp is reversing the money directly to the artists with no taxes.
Alice: Come to the show!!!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Lise: Thank you for all the support! It means everything to us, and to anyone female who listens to us out there, please, support your sisters.
Anna: Yes, support your sisters!
Alice: Play it louuuuddeeeeeer!!!!!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well