The Cardiff-based sisterly duo of Victoria and Lavinia George-Veale first emerged as The Debutantes five years ago, and following a pandemic-induced hiatus are back with a new single and an album scheduled for next year. They gave some background to Emma Way.

As sisters, have you been performing together since childhood?

Victoria: We actually have a third sister, who also loves singing and music, but decided to take a different career path – we used to sing together all the time, composing our own songs in three-part harmonies, competing in talent competitions and performing in school concerts.

Fun fact – we actually auditioned for The X-Factor as a girl group and reached the producers round, but sadly didn’t reach the celebrity panel – there are three audition rounds prior to meeting the celebrities. We also reached the regional finals of the Open Mic UK competition and won the Extreme Exposure Award – we remember this particular performance vividly, as we started with a rendition of It’s My Time followed by a dance routine to Judas. Lots of fun! Our mum accompanied us on the keyboard onstage too. There is nothing like singing with your sisters. To harmonise and perform next to each other is one of the best feelings.

Do you have any performance memories that stand out from your youth?

Lavinia: For me, it would have to be when the three of us sisters wrote our own song altogether, we were quite young! Our mum composed the piano accompaniment and we performed and recorded it in our dining room back home. I thought, this is where our sisterly adventures begin in singing together – and we’ve performed together ever since.  There’s nothing like performing with your own family.

Do you think your theatre background has impacted your musical direction?

Victoria: Lavinia and I have been brought up surrounded by music – our parents are both professional classical musicians. We really appreciate and take interest in different styles and genres. I think having a theatre/musical background has definitely inspired us in life, and has taken us down exciting and creative avenues. 

Lavinia: Definitely! As Victoria mentioned, we have been brought up with music around us all our lives. I went to train at Italia Conti and then the London College of Music so I’ve definitely developed quite a critical way of always improving on music/overall aesthetic. It’s always exciting to explore different avenues of music and try new things out!

When it comes to the visual aspects of your band, who are influenced by, in terms of style?

Lavinia: We love creating our own style with an influence from the 1960s and 70s. We love minidresses, knee-high boots and fun outfits! Our mum kept quite a few of her clothes from that era and we used to try them on and parade around the house in them. Bring back 60s fashion!

Victoria: Not a specific artist as such, but we definitely have a passion for 1960s fashion – white wet-look boots, colourful patterns, big hair and bold makeup. We also have a 70s vibe in our new single Turn The Funk Up…

Tell us a bit about that song!

Victoria: Sure! It’s a slightly different style to our other singles released up to date, more of a 70s vibe with lots of funk and groove. One to enjoy on the dancefloor.

We’d released a few singles just prior to the pandemic and then during the lockdown period – it was going well, but the music industry, in fact the entire performing arts industry, was hit very badly, and it was difficult to keep everything going once we were out of lockdown. We wanted to take a slightly different route from our other singles and add a bit of spice and freshness.

Lavinia: It’s very 70s style, as opposed to our usual 60s tracks. We thought we’d try out something different and a little more upbeat and current. It’s the perfect song to listen to on a Friday night when you’re getting ready for the weekend ahead!

There’s an all-girl band from mid-1960s Detroit also called The Debutantes. No relation I assume?

Victoria: It is a real coincidence! Our manager Alan Jones, our parents, Lavinia and I spent a while trying to think of the perfect band name – with a retro feel, catchy not too old-fashioned. It took us a while! We had one or two names lined up before our final name was decided upon, but we were definitely inspired by names like the Ronettes, the Shangri-Las, the Crystals etc. 

And how did you come to meet Alan, once of late-60s Cardiff band Amen Corner?

Victoria: My acting agent mentioned that Alan was looking for some singers for his new 1960s-inspired album; Lavinia and I were intrigued by this opportunity and really wanted to give Alan a singing demo. I remember meeting Alan in Coffee #1 – we sang a verse and a chorus of a song to him and the rest was history! 

What can we expect from your 2025 album?

Victoria: We recorded it a while ago. It’s rich in orchestration and harmonised vocals, and has a bit of an Abba-esque sound. If you enjoy sounds from the 1960s and full symphonic tracks, this album is one for you!

And finally… who would you invite to a Come Dine With Me-style dinner, if you could ask anyone alive?

Victoria: Lavinia’s answer would be different to mine, but I personally would invite Joanna Lumley. We would have so many laughs! Cate Blanchett is one of my all-time favourite actresses so I would invite her also. Finally, I would invite Andrew Lloyd Webber to the table, what a musical genius and talent. I think that would be quite a dinner party! 

Lavinia: Oh gosh! Well mine is quite different to Victoria’s – it would definitely be Sierra Boggess, my inspiration as a musical theatre singer, so that we could sing the night away in harmony. Michael McIntyre to add a bit of comedy to the night – and sorry Victoria, maybe I would have to steal Andrew Lloyd Webber from your dining table…

Turn The Funk Up is out now.

Info: thedebutantes.co.uk

words EMMA WAY