Good Weather Girl are a London based band formed by my two children, Dion October (Lucas) and Shem Lucas. They have been making music together since 2007. Even as very small children music was an important part of their lives and as soon as they could walk I encouraged them to be expressive. They particularly enjoyed dancing around the room with me, rather than watching endless TV. It was something that gave us all a great deal of pleasure and togetherness and I would recommend it to parents of young children everywhere.

At the age of eight or nine Dion began writing what she described to me as ‘song lyrics’. I gently explained to her that perhaps she meant ‘poems’ as song lyrics generally had music to go with them. Undeterred by this she simply explained to me “one day there will be music to go with them”. As any parent would, I smiled at the sweetness of that comment but little did I know then that one day her words would indeed be set to music and become songs. She never stopped writing them and they are almost always inspired by true events that happen in her life. During her teenage years Dion showed an interest in drumming and was given her first lesson by Rat Scabies, during a visit to his home. Soon after, she took up drum lessons at school missing out on lunch breaks to attend. At the age of fourteen she suffered ill health, confounded by severe bullying. She was also struggling with the maintenance of an under-active thyroid gland (as was I) and despite my seeking help and support from the school there was none forthcoming. After yet another incident in which another pupil bruised and cut her in an unprovoked attack, I took the decision to remove her from school completely for her own safety. I educated her at home for the following two years, during which time I encouraged her to draw, paint and continue writing her ‘song lyrics’.

In his early teens Shem was given his first bass guitar and had quickly taught himself to play. Eventually he progressed onto guitar, buying a Flying V with his first pay cheque when he started part-time work. The first song he ever learned to play was T Rex’s ‘Children of the Revolution’. By the time he reached sixteen he was influenced by Pantera and Metallica and grew his hair long and formed a Metal band called Terrabite. As he was still at school it wasn’t long before they were phoning me to complain about his clothes and hair. I never understood how this would affect his ability to learn and I let them know that I thought such small-mindedness had been left behind in the 1970s. After constant criticism regarding his appearance (there was no mention of problems with his work) he decided he wanted to leave school and continue his studies at college and I agreed. Soon after his departure the school changed its dress code policy for sixth-formers, requiring them to wear a suit. Shem on the other hand, responded very well to his treatment at college and was a model student for the two years he spent there, something that didn’t surprise me. It made a world of difference that his tutors treated him like an adult. Terrabite continued gigging locally to well-packed venues and gained a steady following and I often went to see them play. After the four members all left college the band broke up due to work and relationship commitments. It was then that Shem formed a studio band called Nona with his childhood friend Adam Flanagan, who shared his love of music.

After Dion and Shem first began writing songs together, Nona was put on hiatus so that Shem could put his time and energy into Good Weather Girl. It seemed a logical progression for Dion and Shem to work together. They wrote and recorded a handful of songs with the intention of sharing them with their friends on MySpace. It was a big surprise to them when they were approached by German Indie label Hazelwood Vinyl Plastics, who suggested they write more songs so they would have enough for an album. It took a few months and much communication by telephone and email for Hazelwood to convince them that they were deadly serious about wanting them to record an album. Dion and Shem at first thought it might be someone’s idea of a joke!

The first live performance by Good Weather Girl was at Tate Britain, as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the day artist and poet William Blake was born. Shem wrote music to accompany two of Blake’s poems for the event, one of which - ‘Introduction to Songs of Innocence’ appears on their debut album ‘Boon’, titled ‘Innocence’.

‘Boon’ was recorded in July 2008 at Hazelwood studios in Frankfurt, Germany. The first track on the album is the original recording of ‘Don't Worry’ that charmed Hazelwood into signing Good Weather Girl in the first place. It was an historic moment captured on tape – the very first time Dion sang one of her own songs. It was recorded on a battered 4-track tape recorder using a cheap vocal microphone. Dion suffered a perforated eardrum during surgery in early childhood and being partially deaf in one ear, found that when she sang her own songs she could sing, almost in tune for the first time. This was as much of a surprise to Dion as it was to me, but of course a rather nice surprise. When she tentatively played the tape back to me when I got home that evening, it made me smile, as well as bringing tears to my eyes.

The tickets were booked for their flights to Frankfurt and they waved goodbye to me, embarking on their first visit to Germany, unable to speak any German. When they arrived at the studio they felt instantly at home and called to assure me that everything was going great. While they were in Frankfurt recording their album they were offered a short notice slot at the Phonopop festival. During their acoustic set Dion and Shem were surprised to see people in the audience singing the words to some of their songs, presumably after hearing them on MySpace. After their performance they called me to let me know how they got on and the head of their record label asked to talk to me. He enthused: ‘you should be here! it was an amazing performance and there were people moved to tears in the audience with what they heard’. There is definitely something about Good Weather Girl’s songs that moves people emotionally, myself included.
In March 2010 they embarked on their first European tour to promote their upcoming album, driving hundreds of miles in the snow but gaining many positive experiences. Their album release was delayed and came out a month later in April 2010. On their return to London they were interviewed for the German TV Music show ‘Tracks’ (Arte). I rarely give interviews but after so many people claiming a connection with me that didn’t exist in the past I decided that if anyone could claim such a thing it was the two people who had known me best all their lives – my own children and when ‘Tracks’ asked to interview me too, I agreed. A live performance at the small but legendary 12 Bar Club in Denmark Street, London was also recorded by ‘Tracks’ and the show is due to air in September 2010 across Europe.
They have both been exposed to many musical styles during their lives and have varied musical tastes. Dion has a love of Acoustic, Indie and Electronica, while Shem likes to listen to Death Metal and Hardcore. Their influences are very different but rather than chaos ensuing when they work together, they somehow manage to find a balance that is very pleasing to the ear. Dion’s voice has always sounded younger than her years and when she sings its no different. The sweetness and innocence in her voice is refreshing and when added to Shem’s thrashy guitar, perhaps such a combination would not be expected to work – but it does.
Good Weather Girl have recently added a third member to their line-up in drummer Tom Jennings. Tom is originally from New Zealand and was chosen as much for his personality as his drumming skills. At some point in the future, when the right person comes along, they want to add a cellist to complete their line-up, which will add a new dimension to the live performances.
Look out for Good Weather Girl, they have spent the past two years playing small venues in London and you may not have heard much about them up until now, but believe me – you will. I wouldn’t say that I believed in something I didn’t, not even to further the career of my loved ones, but I do believe in Good Weather Girl and I do like their music. I hope you like it too.
Soo Catwoman 2010.