LA.CityZine brings you band, Uh Huh Her, as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. There couldn’t be a better story than theirs when it comes to making it big as a band that is actually originally from Los Angeles. Uh Huh Her is is the sparkling and evocative synth-pop duo comprised of singer/producer/multi-instrumentalist, Camila Grey, and musician/actress, Leisha Hailey. Both members have been in bands previous to Uh Huh Her, but neither ever had the chemistry in the friendship and musicianship they found while creating these songs together.

With past music careers that have aged into wisdom and Leisha’s popularity from her memorable character on The L Word, the pair went from recording demos in a bedroom to playing a sold out show to tons of music executives. It’s not a surprise that they were quickly picked up by a label. Both have a fun yet mysterious charm to their songwriting and stage presence - not to mention, style!

Their debut album, Common Reaction, comes out August 19th via Nettwerk and with an already devoted fan base, listeners will be pleased with all uniquely polished 11 tracks. Heavily driven by synths, keys and electric guitar, the album is a fantastic blend of pop melodies, lightly crisp vocals and a splash of electronica.

Does the sound of this please your ears? Well, get ready to be even more infatuated after reading our great interview we were lucky enough to get with vocalist, Camila. Learn about her associations with sombreros, fascinations with tornadoes, and more.

Uh Huh Her is the name of a PJ Harvey album. How did this play a part in picking the name of your band?

I’m pretty sure it was one of those things where we were almost done making the EP and we still had no band name. Enter into a day where we were writing hundreds of names down and we were looking in the encyclopedia of rock. You know, the whole song-title thing? I actually remember “Uh Huh Her” was actually a B-Side. It made sense because there were three of us: Uh-huh-her, and we kind of just went with it not thinking about the lines of questioning we’d be getting in the next potential… forever. (Laughs.) Yeah, we just kept going with that and now we’re a duo. (Laughs again.)

What were some of the other contenders for a band name?

Leisha had this idea to call us Hott Sexxx - Two t’s and three x’s. Obviously, there were more serious ones. Like, there was Red Over White.

Your EP was titled, I See Red. Was there a particular theme with the color red?

Not necessarily. In that particular instance, it was more about meaning anger, passion, or whatever the listener wanted to interpret.

Have you ever thought about covering the song, “Uh Huh Her?”

I’ve never thought about it. I think a lot of people think we’re a PJ Harvey tribute band and we have to clear it up. I think she [PJ Harvey] actually knows about us which is actually funny. I think she felt bad that we have to say that name all the time.

Do you think Uh Huh Her would have blown up as quickly as you guys did if Leisha weren’t on The L Word?

I think because of her fans and because of the interest in her as a character, we certainly had drawn more people than we initially would have at the shows, for sure; No doubt. Those people have been our main support and I think, for us now, it’s just about growing it as well as something about the music itself. It can appeal to a wide audience. It’s funny. We’ve only been across the country once but even going back to cities, it’s exponentially grown. I think ultimately, they would have come from the show or another reason, but it’s the music that’ll keep them there and coming back. I think industry people are going to be our biggest challenge.

How is it taking all the flattery from the press?

I don’t mind it. I take it with a grain of salt. I think it’s extremely flattering. Those are the hardest people to please, in my eyes. If you can, then kudos.

Some bands have a problem with flattery.

I’ll take it any way I can get it.

You were in an indie rock band previous to Uh Huh Her. Did you ever think you would be in an electro-pop band?

You know, when I would come home from my indie rock band tours, I would come home and write this kind of stuff. So, it’s kind of always been in my blood. I’ve also done production for it on the side. Because I’m such a synth player - I love synths! I have like ten synths at my house. They’re like my little babies. So to make a synth oriented record was fitting. It’s a balancing act. I feel like for us, we’ve been able to kind of organically mix the way synths are with guitars and create something hybrid… We somewhat incorporate the 80s into now.

How many of your MySpace friends do you actually know?

Hardly any. Maybe like 20.

Do you ever meet them?

Actually, I think in Vegas, these two fans were like, “Oh, my god! We saw you in Boston!” God, MySpace is crazy. When I first joined it as a person, I had no idea it could become something like this for a band.

They have a record label now.

I know, it’s incredible! And, they have their own tour with My Pet Saddle… It’s amazing.

You had these text trivia contests through MySpace. Two particular prizes in the list that stuck out to me were a High School Musical DVD and a sombrero. Any reasoning behind that?

(Laughs.) I think because in one of the webisodes we have, we were in a grocery store. We found these sombreros and were dancing around with them. (We were just on the bus for too long.) We ended up getting kicked out, actually. The High School Musical DVD… I think I commented on what a dreamboat Zac Efron was or something. I guess they took it and ran with it.

Have you ever seen High School Musical?

I’ve never seen it.

There’s a third one coming out.

I know. It’s a crazy whole thing and I don’t get it. I feel so old.

How many webisodes are you guys planning on doing?

I’m not sure how many we’re planning but I just approved one that’s going up next. We’re just trying to be consistent. The majority of them are taped on the road and I think we ran out. So, I don’t know what’s next but it will be something.

Do you prefer gearing up for a tour or coming home from a tour?

I think gearing up because it’s such an adventure. You never know what you’re going to see or what to expect. Last time we were in tornadoes and we got to see crazy, crazy shit on the road.

You were in a tornado?

Oh yeah, in Kansas. Yes, out all of all places - it was a very real Wizard of Oz experience. It was very exciting for me because I’m a tornado weirdo. I’m fascinated with them. I think a lot of people are. I want to go right up close and watch them. I always said if I weren’t in a band, I’d want to be a professional storm chaser or something. Doesn’t that sound fun?

It depends on what you call fun.

I’m just fascinated with the weather. They’re so beautiful. But it was so fun. We were at a bar which they made everyone run into. There were 500 people packed into this bar and we could see trees flying down the street… but yes… gearing up. Going home is “Aww… Adventure’s over!” but usually, on the road you’re not sleeping and not taking care of yourself.

Dead or alive. What five acts would you have play with you at a festival?

Definitely, MGMT. I hate to say that because they’re the hyped band right now, but I really love their record. It’s so good. I haven’t heard a record in a long time where it’s good from front to back and not skip a track. Bjork, Hans Zimmer while he’s on tour - his orchestra’s playing a film score which is so exciting, Annie Lennox, and The Pretenders.

What is your favorite song to play live and why?

My favorite song is called, “Dance With Me,” because it’s the only song I get to play guitar on. I get to pretend I’m a rock star and rock out. It’s really fun for me and I just bought this really cool sparkley guitar I can’t wait to rock out on. It’s very beautiful. It’s gold sparkle.

If you could rid the world of one song, what would it be?

I can’t remember which song it is, but for whatever reason I really don’t like this Billy Ocean song where they make all these weird noises. It really bugs me. No offense to Billy Ocean. I just really don’t like this song.

What would your be your perfect LA day?

Because it’s so sunny all the time, I’m always wishing for it to rain. So it would be for it to rain really hard and stay in and read a book so I don’t feel like I want to go out. It’s so pretty when it does rain.

What part of LA are you and Leisha from?

I’ve lived in Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Los Feliz, but now I’m in Sherman Oaks. Out of all four, I definitely like Sherman Oaks because it’s more relaxed. It’s so close to everything. You could pop over to Hollywood so easily. It’s kind of suburb-y but not too suburb-y. You can still have a dog and a yard. Leisha lives in Studio City now.

What is your favorite music magazine or website?

I definitely like NME and I like Under the Radar because I always get to know new bands from there.

Where is your favorite place to see a band play in LA?

I love going to the El Rey. It’s not huge. It’s not too small. It’s just right. The Hollywood Bowl is a good one too. If you’ve ever seen a show there, it’s amazing. I saw AIR there a couple of years ago. It was awesome. If you ever go see the LA philharmonic, it’s pretty amazing too.

Who would you like to see open for one of your shows?

There is this band called heartschallenger that I think is really cool. The vocalist kind of has a voice like Blonde Redhead: Really high pitched voice over very melodic stuff - really pretty. The cool thing about them is that they tour in and sell all of their stuff out of an ice cream truck. That’s all I know but I just think it’s so cool.

What’s the best cure for a hangover?

Just keep drinking… Just kidding.

It does help.

Yes, unfortunately it does… Um… Yes, just keep drinking.

What are three things you could not live without?

My dog, Henry, all my chords, (my keyboards - I only play chords) and my iPod. When I’m out on the road, it’s all I have. It’s my little way to tune the world out and be by myself for a second because you’re never by yourself.

Remember when the iPod didn’t exist?

No! Isn’t that weird? It’s become such a cultural necessity. God, in the 80s…? What did I do?

Well, in the 90s, we had the portable CD player before the iPod.

Yeah, and they were huge! If you dropped it, that was the end of it. Now iPods are tiny! Now we have the nano where you can watch TV. You can put a baby TV in your wallet. It’s so futuristic.

Tell us something about yourself we probably don’t already know.

I’m so mysterious though… Um, I have a coca-cola problem. I think we should be sponsored by them, it’s such a problem. I tried to do the whole tea thing. It worked for like two weeks and then I freaked out. It’s fresh, it’s caffeine, and if you put a slice of lime in it, it’s the best thing you’ve had in your life.

Photography courtesy of Uh Huh Her

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