The last few weeks were absolutely crazy for UGLYCLUB. New music, new photoshoots, new members, recording sessions in Manchester and trips to Abbey Road studios in London, appearances at high profile music conferences – very few indie bands have schedules looking like this. But UGLY CLUB are not just your regular indie outfit. We have been following their career for a number of years now and they have always been absolutely brilliant – they are probably one of the best bands in the North of England, hand on the heart. We sat down with lead singer Imogen to learn more about their new material, new plans and goals.
Believe it or not, it’s been two years since we spoke to you last time. How are you guys? What have you been up to?
Imogen: Are you jokinnggggggg? How was it 2 years ago! No way! Wow, ok, hahaha. Well, since then we’ve built an entire recording studio and recorded a ton of songs… so quite a bit (laughing)
Your recent pictures show the band as a four piece. Is the lineup the same or has anybody new joined you? If yes, please introduce the new kid on the block.
Imogen: We have recently welcomed Ferg into our UGLY CLUB. We’re writing together, she’ll eventually be joining us on live bass and Blenk will still be writing with us and playing rhythm guitars live. We used to feel like we had to put super strict labels on stuff, thinking the industry would find us “inconsistent” if we didn’t present the same way always. We’re just a bunch of people who love performing and making music and sometimes that’s gonna look like 3 of us, Sometimes 4, Sometimes 5. WHO KNOWS WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS?
In recent weeks we have interviewed Olivia Lynn, the rising star of country music in the UK and found out she was heavily bullied at school. We have been told the very same by Lauren Tate (Delilah Bon). And now Imogen made a similar post regarding bullying tactics and taking a year off her education to support her well being. You are the third very successful woman on the indie scene that speaks openly about their experiences with bullying. It can’t be coincidence that it is always the creative and often women that are targeted by hate campaigns. Do you see it as a gendered issue or maybe the problem lies with the way artistic and talented youths are being treated by their peers online.
Imogen: Honestly, I think there’s a bit of both. When a guy opens up about his feelings through art, it’s more often seen as brave and powerful, but there are still people who see women doing the same as too loud or too bold or too much, especially in rock music. At the same time, I think any gender can be subjected to bullying when they try to break out of the norm and present however feels most authentic to themselves because sometimes that just doesn’t look “normal” to people. I’m done trying to appear normal, masking that hard for so long was exhausting. I’ve actually found that the more “me” I’m being, the more I’ve found my people.
You recently traveled to Ibiza to perform. Please tell us about the show. How did you get involved in this rather unusual project?
Imogen: Hahaha, that was so fun! Yeah, so I regularly perform at raves with BTID Events and this one just happened to be in Tenerife! I did go to Ibiza with them in 2019 too, it felt amazing singing songs I’ve written not only in the UK but beyond that as well! Little me would be very proud of big me.
On October 7th, you took part in a Beyond Music conference in Salford, organized by Oliver Wilson. You performed at Media City Studios for Slack City Radio shared stages with ALT BLK ERA, BEX and Cody Frost. What are your thoughts on the gig itself?
Imogen: It was cool actually! It was in a TV studio and we just had fun with it. I was standing on the chairs and getting in peoples faces and it was a bit chaotic hahaha. We got added last minute and that felt amazing because I’d seen the lineup previously and been like oh wow that’s sick I wish I was on it, and then we were!
You have also been invited to record a session at the adidas Original Recording Studios located inside the Co-op Live in Manchester, Europe’s biggest entertainment arena. The site is engineered by the legendary Abbey Studios and you are guests of the equally famous Factory International. That’s the very definition of rock and roll! We didn’t even know adidas was this cool! How did the session happen and when can we hear the results?
Imogen: Yeah, there have been many pinch me moments over the past few months! We were selected by Factory International at the start of the year to be one of their Factory Sounds 2026 bands this year. They took us under their wing for artist development in association with adidas, This led to adidas sending us shoes, letting us loose in their Manchester flagship store with a *swanky budget*, inviting us to the adidas Originals Recording Studio engineered by none other than Abbey Road to record a song. They invited us to the adidas Box to watch the RAYE show at the Co-op Live arena, and again for Tame Impala… it’s been an absolute whirlwind and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon as they’ve just offered us some mixing with Abbey Road London and my heart is so so so full and blessed with all of these incredible opportunities!
We need to ask about your studio. Everything going smoothly with the Clubhaus?
Imogen: The studio is everything we ever dreamed of to be honest. We feel like we’re genuinely helping artists, honing our craft, getting better at producing and mixing every week. We are working with incredible artists, sharing knowledge and stories and it just feels like a properly buzzing little creative hub that we’re at the centre of. I do keep having to pinch myself that over 10 years of work, losing our studio, many missed opportunities, tens of thousands of pounds worth of debt… all of it over the years has now led to this point where things are doing well and I just never want it to end.
You recently started a new initiative CLUB HAUS BLACK LABEL ARTISTS. Tell us more about it. How can local and unsigned bands apply?
Imogen: Actually… we have so much more to announce soon on this matter but we’re just getting our ducks in order. So the best thing would be to have a gander at the Clubhausstudio and our socials over the next few weeks because we are just finalising some bits and bobs but have a lot of VERY cool bits to announce on this front!!
After a long period of silence, it seems that UGLY CLUB is back in the spotlight. Any plans for the rest of the year/2027?
Imogen: Expect 2 more singles before the year is out. By the time this is posted, we’ll have likely announced the 1st of many new singles. “EAT YOURSELF ALIVE” is out on the 23rd October! Brand new music, new videos, new member… you’re about to watch UGLY CLUB snowball in real time!
Thanks for always supporting us!
UGLY CLUB online:
https://www.uglyclubofficial.com/
https://www.instagram.com/weareuglyclub/
https://www.tiktok.com/@weareuglyclub?lang=en
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5s7VdvEojBKMO8vu2EbGmY?si=LJz-dwxfQFC091RfBryIRA
https://www.facebook.com/weareuglyclubofficial
https://x.com/weareuglyclub
https://www.youtube.com/@weareuglyclub
Recording studio:
https://www.clubhausrecording.com/
Rita and Malicia Dabrowicz
