Haylee G (Devils in Skirts) - Parallel Universe

Haylee Goldthorpe: Lead Vocalist
Ruari Forrest: Current Bassist
Katy Woodrow: Current Guitarist
Iain Campbell: Current Drummer.



Two Part Mixtape.
Solo and Band.
Solo Mostly Experimental.
Band Rocks!!

Direct link: https://hayleeg-devilsinskirts.bandcamp.com/album/parallel-universe

Haylee G – Devils in Skirts began life once upon a Pride when a younger Haylee G stumbled across an old school Scottish Hip Hop Head on her way to the festivities, and discovered rap in a Scottish instead of faux London or American accent. A friendship was soon established between the two and Haylee began working on a song with him (this song became Get Outta Here), while encouraging her to pack more syllables into a bar and to rap with her Scottish accent.

Armed with this, she and her friend, Jamie, formed a duet called Hayz N Jayz. Jamie's strength was in melody, which added another dimension to Haylee's songwriting. With a few songs under their belt, they performed together during Edinburgh Pride 2014 and a Battle of the Bands for Isle of Wight Festival (joined by a trans guitarist).

Haylee had a personal interest in rap battling. She'd been writing battle bars after watching Don't Flop, and attempted to enter, but didn't realise there was a whole underground community at the time. She was asked through a producer's friend if she could battle someone who was known for his cheeky banter.

The Battle of the Bands was an important moment for the band, as they came third (only a few votes from second place), and much of the audience commented to them that they were surprised they hadn't rehearsed much for it. Filled with confidence, Hayz N Jayz continued gigging, most notably for Fashion Loves Music.

When Haylee became unemployed, she decided to put all of her efforts into taking music seriously, but it wasn't to be with Hayz N Jayz. Jamie and the guitarist left the band to focus on other things. Through a friend, Haylee met Harry Mulligan, a music journalist and drummer, who had expressed an interest in working with her after watching her perform. The line up was completed when Ruari Forrest and Nathan Whyte joined the band, and Devils in Skirts was born.

Devils in Skirts took Haylee's hip hop songs and turned them into rap rock, reggae and funk, and began gigging around Edinburgh and Glasgow, highlights being XFM Live Wednesdays for Jim Gellaty at Hard Rock Café Glasgow and Creation Sessions Presents... at Electric Circus Edinburgh.

This was also a big year for Haylee as she was finally entered into a few rap battles, events that she'd wanted to do for a while. Thanks to Werd, a pillar of the Scottish rap community, and other artists’ support, Haylee got into the Bristo Battles (but lost), and Breaking the Barrier through Cain (winning the Wildcard). Werd has also given Haylee G and the Devils slots in The Hip Hop House, a night he hosts for upcoming talent in Edinburgh. Tru Factz discovered Haylee through an event, and couldn't believe she wasn't signed, so offered to produce some tracks in the hopes she’ll sign with Dark Poetry one day.

Nathan soon left to pursue college and Harry took time out to concentrate on his journalism and family, so Haylee found Katy Woodrow (guitar) and Iain Campbell (drums) to fill the empty space. So far this year, the band have played at a few festivals, hosted a charity event for Macmillan and performed at several underground venues across Edinburgh, while also recording and releasing a two part mixtape (Parallel Universe) independently, and unveiling a new website : www.hayleegdevilsinskirts.co.uk 

The new album is available through the website and directly through the band, or pick up a copy at the Scottish Design Exchange based in Edinburgh.