Page 73 - ION Indie Magazine MayJune 2020 Issue

Interview and Photography by Mal Whichelow

https://www.facebook.com/malwhichelowphotography/

Two or three years ago, when I was out and about at various local gigs, I kept
hearing the name MollyAnna come up. I go out and photograph quite a few gigs in
Sheffield, and I was looking forward to catching this band as I'd heard good things
about them. But unfortunately, due to gig clashes and other setbacks, I didn't get
to catch them until last March when they played a local haunt of mine called The
Royal Standard, which sadly is no longer a music venue.

I had heard that our Bernadette was a bit of a hero…or should I say, heroine? But
I didn't expect her to be wearing spandex knickers over her tights, a bra with spikey
bits, a cape, a mask, and an “M” for MollyAnna emblazoned across her chest. It
came as quite a surprise, as I'd never met someone who wore an initial
emblazoned on their chest before. The others? Well, I've met a few of them, I can
tell you. Anyway, what I've just written isn't actually true. Well, apart from the bit
about being a hero, or heroine, if you prefer.

After a traumatic childhood, and having to live with the aftermath for years, she
started having therapy to sort herself out. Why am I telling you this? Because
MollyAnna recently released an album called “Archaeology,” and this album is born
out of the songs written after coming out of therapy. MollyAnna consists of
Bernadette Dales (vox), Michael Hukins (guitar), Joshua Roberts (bass), and Andy
Warburton (drums), who replaces Laura Moakes who drummed on the album. I
spoke to Bernadette to find out how her and the band are progressing.