Earlier this year Mayan Toledano started the clothing line and website Me & You with her BFF Julia Baylis as a way to celebrate the power of female friendship and what it means to be a girl. “We wanted to create something that felt safe and inviting to other girls”, Mayan said, “so collaboration, support and self love are key elements in what we do.” Aside from the clothes, the website is also a showcase of Mayan’s many collaborations with stylists, photographers and muses, who come together to create a photo stories based on the Me & You manifesto. The latest in this series is a joint effort between Mayan, photographer Daria Kobayashi Ritch, and Cherry Glazerr front woman Clementine Creevy. Fusing girlish sweetness with a “don’t give a fuck” attitude, the story shows Clementine chilling out, maxin’, relaxin’ all cool in “don’t touch” branded tees and “feminist” granny panties. We spoke to the 18-year-old Saint Laurent muse and Los Angeles native about female power.
Dates for your first UK tour have already sold out, what are your impressions so far from your UK fans?
We’re psyched to finally come to the UK. We actually have quite a few fans out there who have been telling us to come out for so long. This tour feels long over-due (which is good).
Your new song Sip ‘O’ Poison is pretty hardcore compared to previous material. Is this the new direction for Cherry Glazerr?
It is hardcore. No, I don’t know anything about that being a new direction. We made that song because we had to and it felt good. We might have some new similar songs, but people shouldn’t expect an entirely thrash album, to answer your question.
Are you recording a new album for us to look forward to?
Yep.
Did you always imagine yourself as the front woman of a band?
I think in a way, yes. I’ve always been a performer and writer and singer, ever since I was a young kid. I definitely daydreamed and currently daydream about playing to a crowd of cheering people.
Are you a feminist?
Of course. I believe in equality between men and women, and putting women on an equal economic, political and social footing as men all around the world.
You started making music pretty young, how have you found the Cherry Glazerr experience so far? Have you decided between college and the band yet?
The journey has been fantastic so far. I feel nothing but awe over our accomplishments over the past few years, and constantly learning from older people is extremely rewarding. And yes; I chose the band.
How did you end up on Hedi Slimane’s radar?
Hedi is a music buff and DIY scene enthusiast. He’s incredibly drawn to good young artists, and the fact that he saw potential in us was extremely flattering and we feel super lucky. He saw us for the first time performing at Burgerama two years ago and got in touch with us. The relationship flourished from there.
Anything we don’t know about Cherry Glazerr that we should?
We hate interviews.
What do you enjoy doing outside of the band?
Hiking up the Hollywood hills, seeing movies at Arclight, jamming with friends at our studio, playing darts, smoking weed, driving around the city, and hanging in my friend Jackie’s art shed.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Great question. I have a few. My mentor Deb told me that solidarity between women is key, and my dad told me to always be teachable. Patti Smith inadvertently taught me that you can only change yourself, nobody else can do that for you, and vice versa.
Credits
Text Kristina Britton
Photography Daria Kobayashi Ritch