With the rise of The Saturdays and the arrival of countless other girl bands this year, it’s never been easier to get a slice of perky female action. But if you’re looking for a band that packs some punch with their pop, then Mini Viva might just be your new favourite group. Made up of quirky Britt and the vibrant Frankee, the UK duo burst onto the charts with ‘Left My Heart in Tokyo’ and now have their sights set firmly on world domination.
‘We’d love to go to America, like the Spice Girls’, says Frankee, a colourful Mancunian with big hair; ‘we’d love to create that world, that craze.’ The Spice Girls were of course as known for their individual traits – Baby, Ginger, Posh, Sporty and Scary – as their musical talent, but gorgeous Geordie Britt is confident that they can match the most successful British girl group with their own approach. ‘We don’t want to stand there and look pretty. We’ve got more to offer. We’ve got attitude.’
After being scouted separately and put together by hit factory Xenomania, the girls instantly clicked and waited for the extra band members that the company had planned for them. The others never materialised, leaving the first girl duo to attempt chart success in ages and two very content Northeners. ‘We never argue!’ says Britt, despite the fact that they’ve spent two years working together. Frankee is quick to confirm; ‘it’s quite weird! We spend so much time together!’
Mini Viva have been working hard to prove their worth, co-writing their upcoming album and touring the country. But with competition from countless other bands, is it difficult to stay positive? Britt’s answer is defiant; ‘If it’s a struggle, then it’s not meant to be. It’s hard, don’t get me wrong, but if you’re not enjoying it then it’s not right’. Their shared optimism is confirmed by their surprisingly wide appeal, having supported urban headliners N-Dubz after a request from Dappy as well as The Saturdays – ‘I think we can blend really well, and we’d love to work with Dizzee’ says Frankee – a strange fanbase reaching kids, teenagers, and anyone else with eardrums. The girls are hoping that their new single ‘I Wish’, will emulate the huge success of their breakthrough hit, but are still ecstatic at how it’s all going. ‘We were worried that it was going to be a love-it, hate-it thing’ says Frankee with a huge smile, ‘but everyone took to it.’
With ‘I Wish’, the girls are entering a more relatable territory. ‘Every boy or girl has a relationship that they wish they’d tried that little bit harder with, so it’s a bit more emotional’, says Britt. It’s far from standard ballad territory though, as both girls are insistent that all their songs are uplifting. Clearly Frankee and Britt are girls on a mission, resisting an overly polished look and sound in favour of one that gets their fun and quirky approach across. In a sea of nameless faces where one band member blends into another, they won’t be growing up too fast. ‘You see some groups that seem to have grown up too much’ insists Britt, but we’re only 20’. ‘We’ve got years to get our boobs out!’ adds Frankee, our meeting ending with the voluminous laughter of the UK’s most promising new duo. The group are fun, enthusiastic, and ready for success, and they’ve definitely got the attitude, the talent, and the hair, to go all the way.
‘I Wish’ is available to download now on http://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/mini-viva/id296635950
