A Q&A with the British girl group who performed in Kingston this month
In the run up to their highly anticipated new album, R&B trio FLO brought their contagious force to Pryzm in Kingston, for an intimate set and Q&A organised by Banquet Records.
Reanimating the sound of nineties and early noughties R&B, Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer formed as FLO in 2019 and have been delivering ethereal harmonies and unapologetic attitude since.
They released their debut single ‘Cardboard Box’ in 2022, after signing to Island Records, and the British girl group’s catchy hooks and candid, relatable lyricism quickly attracted high profile attention. In January 2023, FLO featured on ‘Hide & Seek’ by British rapper Stormzy, and later that year the London trio released ‘Fly Girl’, sampling Missy Elliot’s 2002 single ‘Work it’, featuring a new rap from Elliot herself.
Recognised and endorsed by the likes of Elton John and SZA, FLO won the BBC’s Sound of 2023 award, and later that year, claimed the Rising Star award at the BRITs. The group were also nominated at the BET and Soul Train Awards, and were granted spots on Rolling Stone’s 25 artists of the future, and Europe’s Forbes 30 under 30 list in the entertainment category.
Drawing inspiration from Destiny’s Child and the Sugababes, FLO’s debut album ‘Access All Areas’ introduces a body of work that blends the rich tones and luscious melodies of R&B and soul with pitched up original samples and futuristic production, featuring hits such as ‘Walk Like This’, ‘In My Bag’ with Memphis rapper Glorilla, and new single ‘Check’.
Ahead of an acoustic performance at Pryzm earlier this month , the band FLO sat down for a Q&A with fans, followers and the press.
Q: What has it been like working with some of the R&B greats, like Troy Taylor?
Jorja: ‘First of all, it was an honour because these are people that we grew up listening to, admiring their work so we felt really privileged to even be in the room. When you work with the greats, they tell you so many stories and you just feel like you’re consuming so much knowledge. You really take those stories and remember them and try to apply them.’
Renée: ‘Their process is far different from the current producers we work with, so it was very insightful, and you know we take little bits, little nuggets of the information and kind of adapt it to our process.’
Q: I’m curious about the writing process. Do you start with lyrics and melody, and then add the production side of it?
R: ‘We usually start with production because I feel like that’s what inspires us the most, we let the music dictate what we want to write about, the vibe of the song, that’s definitely step one. And then step two we usually go through melodies. This is the most nerve wracking part. We’ve been together for five years and still really struggle with this step.’
Q: Describe the other members with a track in the album.
J: ‘That’s a good question. It makes the most sense to pick each other’s favourite songs.’
R: ‘I think we should try and not do that though. For Stella I’m gonna say Get It Til I’m Gone because she’s so sweet but she will clart you.’
J: ‘Don’t mess with Stella.’
R: ‘For Jorja I’m gonna say On & On because she’s an R&B queen.’
Stella: ‘I’m gonna say Shoulda Would Coulda for Jorja.’
J: ‘For Renee it has to be I’m Just A Girl… because she knows who she is as a woman.’
S: ‘Period.’
Q: What’s your favourite thing about the UK compared to the US?
J: ‘The food in England is much better than the food in America I’d say…It tastes a bit fake, a bit suspicious. The chicken in the US is a little bit too…juicy.’
R: ‘The people as well, let me explain, I feel like British people have a bit of shame, and are humble and it does make a difference. We still love America though, don’t get it twisted.’
Q: What is each of your favourite Destiny’s Child song?
R: ‘Mine has to be Jumpin’, Jumpin’… It’s got so much energy it just makes me feel so good.’
S: ‘Mine’s Emotion.’
J: ‘I was also gonna say Emotion, but Nuclear, it really just teleports your body into a different space. It’s a hidden gem I’d say.
Q: What’s your Nando’s order?
S: ‘I love to get a Fino Pitta, Peri Chips, halloumi. I used to get the chips and the garlic bread, but I thought that’s a bit much.’
R: ‘I like Nando’s coleslaw, corn on the cob. And those loaded chips though. Also controversial, does anyone like the mac and cheese? The breadcrumbs are a nice touch, they got the right idea.’
J: ‘Mine is the Sunset Burger, she’s too good. With like the jam inside, the chilli jam. She’s the one.
Signed copies of ‘Access All Areas’ are available at Banquet Records in Kingston.
