Ellie Vee and Kat Kina of The Charms talk Salem witches, music and stinky feet.

Visit their web site and see for yourself!

Here's what Ellie Vee, the foxy blonde voice of The Charms, had to say to us:

It seems that the Charms are having a lot of success rather quickly. How did you manage to pull all of it off?

We're not really sure how this all happened so quickly. I guess if you're having fun, people want to get next to you. We also play constantly all over New England and NY/NJ. In the past year, we've played about 80 gigs. I'd play 300 a year if I could.

I read that you used to sing for cash in Dublin. Can you give us musical history of yourself? How did you end up in Boston fronting the Charms?

Can I answer this question sideways instead of head on? I find my own musical history unbelievably boring! Everything before The Charms pales in comparison. Here's the very brief version: I've been a classical flute student, confessional singer/songwriter, street musician, indie pop victim. I kind of think of each phase like an ex boyfriend...that was fun...kind of, but I really don't want to relive it.

The Charms started as a lark. We thought, "Hey maybe we should play some gigs". People seemed to dig it, so we kept booking shows. Then we made a 3 song demo just to get more gigs and the radio people liked it and started passing it around to other DJs in New England and NY and NJ. We bought a cd burner and a printer and made copies and ended up selling about 1,000 at shows and online before our full-length cd came out.

What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you?
I can't talk about it. I might get some people in trouble.

Are there any particular challenges you have faced as a female musician?
Oh, the male attention is killing us! Someone tried to trash us by saying we're popular because there are 'two hot chicks in the band'. What an insult! Geez! I can't say I feel at a disadvantage being a chick rocker. I mean, who looks better in photos, guys or girls? Who gets free beers and help carrying their equipment? And if a guy tries to talk down to me about music, I just steal his wallet and go shopping with his money. duh!

When did you decide you wanted to be a rock star?
I don't think it's up to me entirely--it's really up to our fans. They're doing a great job so far.

Describe the worst job you have ever had.
Working at this yuppy magazine in Boston called 'The Improper Bostonian' selling classified ads. Ugh. I had to cold call people who had ads in other papers trying to sell things like their pets and sell them an ad for $19. I think my commission was $2 per ad or something dismal like that. Plus, did I really care about Boston work-a-day spring fashion and who was hanging out at Armani Cafe? No.

What is your passion/hobby besides music?

How did you find out?I was just in Target yesterday admiring the gardening paraphenalia like designer gloves and watering cans. When I first started gardening, I grew dahlias from seed. I found some gardening site that said there's only a .1% success rate growing dahlias from seed, but sometimes ignorance gives you that upper hand. I haven't had any luck growing anything else from seed since--of course! The dahlias have been coming back every year, though.

I often find myself gardening at dusk because my schedule is so strange. I think my neighbors think I'm a vampire. Or I'm in the mafia....the Scottish mafia...you know. Speaking of otherworldly beings...

Also, is it true that Rebecca Nurse is one of your anscestors?

Yes, Rebecca Nurse (the original Salem witch) is definitely one of my ancestors. My grandmother has been working on our family tree for decades. On one of her trips to the UK, she actually discovered that the island we hail from in Scotland was invaded and settled by the Vikings--invading and settling included getting it on with the native ladies. This could explain a lot about my temperment! So we have a Viking gal and a mad Russian in the band. Watch out, boys!

Here, with her cute accent, she answers the Pussycat 5.

1. lamest album you've ever owned
Ace of Base

2. Favorite Candy
Loly pop

3. Who's sexier: Joan Jett or Pat Benatar.
I don't know what sexier meens, but Joan Jett cooler

4. Most $$ You've ever spent on a pair of shoes
I egree w/ Ellie, but don't think what our feet stynk.

5. Favorite game show.
None, I probably watch TV once a week and its only The Simsons & Sind field


How did you go from a Russian Conservatory to playing
with the Charms in Boston?
They order me like mail order farfisa player


What are your hobbies/passions besides music?
I like to dance, read, & hung out w/ my friends

Ellie tackles the Pussycat 5

1. lamest album you've ever owned.
That lame-ass magazine I worked at used to get all kinds of cds mailed to them to review. One of them was Joey Lawrence's cd. I kept it for years because I developed this demented dance to one of the songs that involved wearing a bathrobe and doing lots of jerky movements and the dance was in such high demand that I had to keep the record around for performances.

2. Favorite Candy
We have a song called 'Candy' that's going on the next record. It's about boys.

3. Who's sexier: Joan Jett or Pat Benetar.
I wanna be on Blackheart Records.

4. Most $$ You've ever spent on a pair of shoes
I can't even remember the last pair of shoes I bought...kat and I are so picky about shoes. We find one pair and wear them to death. We actually both bought the same pair of shoes without realizing it and we wear them at almost every gig. We need to sell some more cds before we can buy new shoes.

5. Favorite game show.
What's a game show? TV? I've heard of this form of entertainment, but could it really rival live music? Honestly, the only shows I ever watch are Seinfeld, The Simpsons and All in the Family when they run that. No time for TV, only time for rock and roll. Maybe someday we'll get a TV for the van and then we can all watch Jeopardy together. I'm sure Dennis will kick all our butts.