When Ruby Taylor’s mother told her someone had said the government control the weather she said, “Oh, so they control you, me... and the weather,” and the unusual band name was coined. The London-born singer-songwriter, who has lived in Brighton since she was 14, spoke to Patrick Widdess:

“My parents had a tape recorder so I would sing songs in to it about cats and other things I liked at the time. The first song I ever wrote and performed was called The Millennium Song. I still remember how it goes, and the unlucky ones will get to hear it.”

“I think my main genres are electronic, alternative, new wave, hip-hop, jazz, rock and pop. But I listen to music such as soul, highlife and Afrobeat too, which really inspire me melodically and rhythmically. Influences have been St Vincent, Grimes, Little Dragon, The Cure, Frank Ocean, Slugabed, Salva, Ambassadeurs but more recently Hiatus Kaiyote, John Wizards, Metronomy and The Internet.

“My first EP is a limited edition 12” with XVI Records. Each sleeve I have hand painted so they are pretty special.”

Now she is planning to start recording her first album and “write as much music as mentally possible”.

Find out more...

  • Yumi And The Weather is appearing at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton from Thursday, May 8, to Saturday, May 10. Visit mamacolive.com/thegreatescape
  • The first EP All We Can is available in selected record shops, or through the label www.xvirecords.bandcamp.com
  • Visit www.facebook.com/yumiandtheweather