Life In The Jungle

What with nominations for ‘Band of the Year’, Neon Jungle are rapidly becoming one of the most popular girl groups of the moment. Anthony Gilét chats with member Asami about awkward flirting, socialising with the stars, and sunbeds.


 

The group’s called Neon Jungle, that comes from the upcoming single ‘Welcome To The Jungle’, is that right?

Yeah, that’s right. We were given that song, gosh, so long ago when we didn’t even have a name, and we sort of liked the way jungle sounded, but thought that we needed something before it because jungle wasn’t strong enough on its own. And we thought of neon, not necessarily because we wear bright colours but we think that we’ve got quite bright personalities.

Yeah, it sounds like a euphemism for your lady bits.

Oooh! Yeah it does, doesn’t it? I can’t even lie, I always joke around with ‘Welcome To The Jungle’, like ‘Welcome To My Jungle’.

[laughs] That’s sick. A lot of girls when they’re younger dream of being in a pop group, whose posters did you have on your wall, as a kid?

Oh my gosh. Every single boy band that has ever been on this earth, because I’m a boyband fanatic. I can’t lie, I did have the Spice Girls, I did love them Fall Out Boy, Jonas Brothers.

Oh, so quite American taste! And is it everything you expected and hoped it would be to be in a girl group?

You know when you think of your dream job, you think it’s gonna be like so simple, and it’s not. But it makes me feel better that it’s not because I’m working to get where we are.

“I want Harry Styles to flirt with me again”

So, you’ve been nominated for a Glamour Award too, it must be really nice to have that kind of recognition this early on in the group’s career? 

Yeah, it’s so strange! Because it’s happening so quick. So many people have told us that it just doesn’t happen this quick for some people. But, I don’t know, I feel like it’s strange! Little old me from Suffolk, little old Shareem from Scotland and little old Jess and Amira from London, and it’s just crazy! All these opportunities that we’re getting, and being nominated for awards – even if we don’t win any of them – just to be up for them is crazy.

And it’s for ‘Band of the Year’ too! Obviously people knew you from your first single ‘Trouble’, but when you brought out ‘Braveheart’, that was like a really big hit. It’s on my iPod…

Aww! Yes, Anthony! You are the best! Nah but that’s what I think made people think, ‘ah they’re here to stay’.

What celebrity are you hoping will be there to chat you up? I want the juice!

Erm… Oh Lord. Harry Styles, because everytime I meet him he’s always a little bit of a flirt, so I want him to flirt with me again.

Mhmm, womaniser… 

He’s just so charming,  he’s a flirt but I don’t think he means to. Like he’s not actually flirting, if that makes sense?

Sure, it’s just like his natural charisma? 

I know, that’s when I’m like shame. Teach me your ways! I am literally the worst flirt you will ever meet. I’m the worst dancer, I’m the worst flirt…

Aw, I like you too! I’m coming to see you perform at G-A-Y.

Yes! I cannot wait to do G-A-Y again.

I was gonna ask you how you were feeling about it? 

I can-not-wait! Sometimes club gigs can be a bit funny because everyone’s drunk and they don’t really care, but G-A-Y is a-maz-ing! The crowd, uh!

There’s always an energy there, isn’t there? 

Yeah, always. Every time someone asks us about a gig, the first one that pops into my head is G-A-Y. Everybody is so welcoming, and they’re like crazy. It’s the best.

 

• Neon Jungle will be at G-A-Y at Heaven (under the Arches, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2H 6NG) on Saturday 19th April. 4-Day Free Entry Wristbands available from G-A-Y Bar. 

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