Big Kids interview: "I don't think we'll ever grow up"

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Big Kids


Those who are already familiar with Big Kids - a duo made up of Mr (Ben) Hudson and Rosie Bones - will be aware of the Burger King-inspired crowns they sport on most occasions.

So as you can imagine, we at Digital Spy were delighted to be handed one when we went to meet them at their recording studio in North London.

With their new album Never Grow Up out this week, we caught up with them to find out what inspired such a happy record, whether there are plans for a follow-up and whether Ben ever intends to revive Mr Hudson.

Hello Big Kids. How are you?
Rosie: "We're great, thanks! We played a show at the St Pancras hotel the other day, which was strange because it was really formal and we were all dressed up. It's the same hotel where Spice Girls filmed the 'Wannabe' video."

Did you re-enact it?
Ben: "Of course we did! It was a strangely fun event. There were lots of businessmen there waiting to get on the Eurostar. I think we just wanted to scare ourselves by doing something completely different."

Your new album Never Grow Up is a very fun record; was it as much fun to make?
Rosie: "Literally, it's been a joy to make. There's been no moment where we've felt bored or stressed."
Ben: "If we got stuck on a lyric we'd just put anything in and come back to it later. It was a great way to do it, because I'd never done nonsense lyrics and I loved it. It was a very British way of doing it."

It's quite different to everything out there at the moment; are you feeling confident about its chances?
Ben: "I don't think either of us honestly follow the charts anymore. There are a few choice acts that I like - like Alex Clare or Chase & Status - where I'll look at them and see how they're getting on. It feels less linear these days - sometimes you need to get your song on a car ad to get it in the charts.

"Our sound isn't necessarily the most chart friendly at the moment. The production is messy and we wanted it that way. We played some of our tracks to Calvin Harris and he thought we should leave it as it is. It gave us a lot of confidence."

You played a lot of festivals this summer despite being relatively unknown as a band. How did it go down?
Rosie: "I think it went down pretty well overall. Performing the songs live was something we'd always factored in when making the record, so it was a lot of fun. Although I did get kicked out of Lovebox."
Ben: "Did you?"
Rose: "Yeah, I got chucked out of the artist bar. I think they thought I wasn't supposed to be there!"

Big Kids


You've both been in music for a while; does this feel like starting out all over again?
Ben: "Definitely for me."
Rosie: "Probably more for Ben, I never really started."
Ben: "What feels especially new is that I've only just learnt to play the piano. I'm only grade one! I wanted to do something that was nothing like Mr Hudson, so I decided to learn a new instrument."
Rosie: "Before this I was spending all my time d**king around in Camden! Honestly I don't think I'll ever grow up. I don't think either of us will."

You've worked with some great writers on the album, including Cathy Dennis and Eg White. What was that like?
Rosie: "Being able to work with those sorts of people for me was just incredible. Cathy Dennis was always very sweet and dignified, and Ben always likes working with Eg White."
Ben: "I've learned a lot from that guy. Working with him is like going back to University! In terms of process, he really turned the light on for me - he literally knows what all the buttons on a mixing desk do. He knows all the cheats."

Is this just a one-off album or are there plans for a follow-up?
Rosie: "We haven't started doing anything for the second album yet as we've been busy gigging, but hopefully we've got another record in us."
Ben: "We've spent all our time recently sorting out the album artwork and mixing it. We're our own label as well, so there are so many forms to fill out."

Big Kids


Rosie: "I'm really sorry, but I have to take off now!"
Ben: "Shall I give us all a lift to the train station in my car?"
Digital Spy: "That would actually be very handy, thanks!"

We're now sitting in your Jaguar, which is rather nice.
Ben: "Thanks. This is my life at the moment - cruise down to the studio, croissant and a cappuccino on the arm-rest and then we make what I think is some great music. It's been a thrill."

You worked on the score for Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music album Cruel Summer. Is there any truth in the rumours of a Cruel Winter album?
Ben: "Who knows? I was out there working on some stuff with them a couple of weeks ago and those words weren't mentioned to me. To be honest, I shouldn't really talk about it, but if I had any beans I couldn't spill them anyway! He's so busy, he's always making music and working with people. He's a passionate guy - he's a force of nature."

The last Mr Hudson album was 2009; will there be another?
Ben: "Where did the time go!? I'm still keeping all that on the table. I suppose Mr Hudson has become about 11 different things now - singing, writing, producing, DJing and reluctant modelling. The production has been a big focus for me with setting up my own studio and learning how it all works."

Now Rosie has gone, is there any dirt you want to dish on her?
Ben: "Big Kids is my real focus at the moment; it's not just a flash in the pan. I really believe in her and I think there's a gap in the market for us. When I first saw her in a pub in Camden I saw raw talent - she's got it. She deserves a punt so I threw my hat in the ring. I'm excited to see what she does next, with or without me."

Big Kids' album Never Grow Up is out now. click here to buy the album.

Watch the video for their single 'Heart Sing' below:


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