If you're looking to kick off a whole movement around joy and generosity, there's no better band for the job than MisterWives, the five-piece, New York City-based ensemble that pumps out poppy, infectious dance tunes you can't help but do '80s aerobics moves to. (Full disclosure: I've got a whole choreographed routine to "Reflections.")
Before their set Wednesday for #KiplingMakeHappy, the handbag and accessory brand's new initiative, we sat down for a warp-speed interview with the tree-house-building, pun-making pals.
How much fun was it filming the video for "Reflections?" I can't stop watching it.
Mandy Lee: "Aw, thank you. That felt like summer camp and it was our first legit music video, so we had the best time ever."
That whole atmosphere of "school's out" and rebellion—that feeds into your music a lot, doesn't it?
Lee: "Yes, rebellious music all the way. We're a rebellious, silly band. The song is about heartbreak, and we didn't want it to be a cliché, boy and girl fighting, crying—which is a lot of the video treatments we got—so we came up with this idea. A lot of people wanted shattered mirrors and things like that, but that was too literal. So this was a very loose interpretation of feeling like you're trapped in heartbreak: It's the last day of school and everybody's free, but you're stuck in detention."
We really appreciate the wordplay on "sister wives." Were there any other names in the running?
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Lee: "Will had a real close call—it was almost a tie."
Will Hehir: "I had booked a show at a pretty horrifically terrible event venue—the worst dive bar in the world—and they wanted a name. At the spur of the moment, I came up with the name "24-Hour Party People." We played a show as the 24-Hour Party People, which is what we're about, definitely, but I don't know as a band name. It's harder to chant than MisterWives, so we decided to opt against it."
How did you come up with the animals for each person on the cover art for Our Own House?
Lee: "Those are actually our real spirit animals that we already had before the band, and they're coming out of the tree house, which is what Etienne built back in high school. And I wrote the whole album in that tree house."
Jesse Blum: "I'm the squirrel. I love squirrels. They're ridiculously adorable. "
Hehir: "I love dinosaurs. I have since I was a kid, so that was a natural fit for me."
Etienne Bowler: "I'm a drummer, so an octopus, obviously, made sense with the many arms and tentacles. And my name is Eight-ienne, so that's fitting."
Lee: "And he was born in Oct-ober. I've always loved elephants. I was called Dumbo as a kid. I kind of grew into my ears, but they were very big. I just find them to be the most fascinating creatures, and they're very loving."
Marc Campbell: "I'm the hummingbird because I'm constantly leaving things, and I have to retrace my steps all the time. The hummingbird is the only bird that flies backwards."
Mandy, I watched an interview with you where you said your first YouTube video was a mashup of Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry. Any other memorable early performances?
Lee: "I was 15 at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden in Astoria, and people thought I was Feist. The fliers, my mom still has one, was this awkward MySpace photo of myself like, 'Mandy Lee and Company.' And my brother played drums, and I sat at a piano with my legs crossed in a dress—very different show from what we play now."
On social media, you're always so energetic and fun—in person too. How do you keep so upbeat? What's your secret?
All: "Sugar!" Bowler: "Tons of sugar, tons of coffee, tons of fast food. " Lee: "And it's just what happens when you're with your best friends. We're a family, and we really love being together. It's kind of obnoxious how well we get along."
You should also check out:
Elizabeth Banks Took Her Alexander McQueen Shoes from the 'Hunger Games' Set Because Who Wouldn't?
With Her New Lifestyle Network, Michelle Phan Is Now Officially Taking Over the World
Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at MarieClaire.com. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.
-
All the Easter Eggs and Name Drops on Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department,' Explained
Digging through the fan theories so you don't have to.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
This Week's Best On-Sale Picks Include a Tory Burch Bag and Pretty Silver Ballet Flats
Warm weather is finally here—it's time to dress like it.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
A Sporty It-Sneaker Era Is About to Begin
Nike's next Air models are designed for Olympic athletes, but they'll soon be all over street style.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
The 60 Best Musical Movies of All Time
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
By Amanda Mitchell Last updated
-
The 21 Best Album Releases of 2022 (So Far)
Get your headphones out.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Last updated
-
The 50 Best Love Songs of All Time
The best, most romantic love songs ever written, spanning every genre.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
4 Best Sad Songs of 2022 to Play When You're in Your Feels
New songs from Maren Morris, Iann Dior, and more.
By Marie Claire Published
-
5 Best Love Songs of 2022 (So Far)
Raise your hand if you're very much here for the Avril Lavigne renaissance!
By Rachel Epstein Published
-
The 16 Best Sad Songs of 2021 to Play When You're Feeling Down
Not me still listening to "Drivers License" on repeat!
By Rachel Epstein Published
-
The 31 Best Love Songs of 2021
"I still burn for you." —Avril Lavigne and also Daphne Bridgerton.
By Rachel Epstein Published
-
16 Gifts Any Music Lover Will Be Obsessed With
AirPods beanies? Say less.
By Rachel Epstein Published