Didcot sixth form student and Angels N’ Bandits singer AJ Ruhomutally is working on a Nickelodeon UK campaign to encourage teenagers to stay in touch during lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
The 17-year-old student and her band are taking part in the Nickelodeon's The Scoop YouTube show called Spill the Tea.
The show is part of the channels new UK campaign, #KidsTogether which aims to give tips for staying healthy and ideas for activities to do at home during the pandemic.
The band Angels N’ Bandits is a fusion of urban RnB and rap music and is made up of three girls and two boys. They have been playing together for almost seven years and have a large teenaged following.
Spill the Tea is recorded all from different lockdown locations and is all about gossip. The band also educate their fans about staying at home and stress the importance of talking to friends and family.
AJ lives with her family in Steventon and she is also adjusting to lockdown as she teaches herself A-levels from home, has daily band meetings and practices dancing and singing. She also makes sure to do live chats for her fans.
Picture: MILLYS PHOTOS
The singer explained why she believes it is so important to stay in contact with friends and family.
“I really think it is important because sometimes I struggle with mental health myself and it is good to look after yourself during this time," she told the Oxford Mail. "A lot people have been asking us for advice."
“It is just important to make sure you do communicate, and you are not just stuck in your room on your phone all day.
“Make sure you are actually going outside and interacting with neighbours from six feet away and going on walks and just making sure you are interacting and are not just by yourself.”
Lockdown has put almost everything on hold for Angels N’ Bandits.
When lockdown was announced the band were on tour and they still had another week to go. Luckily, they had already decided to stream online shows for the fans that could not make it, so fans did not entirely miss out.
However, the tour has now been postponed until late August and they have their first EP on the horizon which will be released sometime this year.
Picture: MILLYS PHOTOS
AJ is trying not to get bogged down with the here and now, but is still missing music and writing with her band members. She said: “I can’t wait to get back with my band and just write some songs. We are always together.”
The teenager is enjoying working with Nickelodeon. She said: “So far it has been great, they have been so nice and so kind. It is difficult to get all this content together online when we are not together, but it seems to be working so well.
"After Lockdown we hopefully will be filming more but we cannot really move forward with the lockdown in place.”
From Encore Pop And Influencer:
Lockdown series #10: ANGELS N BANDITS Q AND A
Angels N’ bandits is a mixed band managed by the team behind top pop bands The Wanted and The Saturdays. The band are aged between 15-17yrs, members Angel (16), Ellie (15), AJ (17), Frankie (17) & Reece (17), although still young, since being together as a band have performed at venues including the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool, The Indigo o2, Event City Manchester, & Hyde Park. Read More
Angel :
We have been in lockdown for quite a while, have you prepared for this or are you just winging it as much as you can do?
ANSWER: I mean nothing can really prepare for a worldwide lockdown so I didn’t really have anything prepared. When the tour dates got pulled we knew we had to do something for all those fans who like us had plans to travel the next day to the venue. We were able to get together and perform our whole set online and thank goodness we did as the next announcement was full lockdown. Since then I have tried to keep as active as possible. And trying to do different things every day. Learn a few more skills. With online schooling it doesn’t leave a huge amount of time to myself but its been great to have the extra time to really focus on the stuff I usually squeeze in to my day.
What have you been doing with your time during lockdown?
ANSWER: Well, lockdown could get pretty boring so I stay active and also strive to be the fittest I can be for the tour coming up and everything else we have planned, thats mentally and physically. Also being able to keep in touch with fans, doing live streams but making the lives more interesting outside of my regular singing performances e.g cooking, online workouts, house party meet ups,. And also watching all the other incredible stuff being produced online. At the moment my favourites are daily Peloton spinning classes, Barry’s boot camp and Face Gym (Facial yoga) to keep every bit of my body healthy. But overall, to survive this lockdown just staying as active and social as much as possible is my mission.
What has lockdown taught you in terms of personal and professional life?
ANSWER: It has shown me that keeping in touch with friends and our amazing fanbase is very important and it has also shown me that you should never leave a friend on bad terms, even overnight because you don’t know what could happen. Life is precious. And also this has taught me how loyal and incredible our fans really are and that we need to hold on to the great relationships we have with them all, supporting them in return as much as possible.
Who are you in lockdown with and how are you keeping in contact with people who you’re not living with during this time?
ANSWER: In lockdown I am with my mum, dad and little brother and my 101 year old Grandma who is staying in house on our property to be close to us all. I’m very social in lockdown, especially with fans, and friends of course, and also my other family members. With the band, it’s usually zoom calls for stuff we need to discuss and plan and face time for general chats. It’s the same with my family and friends. I really do make an effort with the fans by staying in touch anyway possible snap chatting, d’ming, house-partying or guesting on live streams because I need to support them and look after them and keep them positive in the lock down as much as possible.
You’re a band and obviously gain inspiration from different things, presumably outside, where are you gaining inspiration from during this time?
ANSWER: It’s been amazing to see people pulling together, helping each other in a way I haven’t seen before. We made a TikTok in support for NHS and looking back on it once it had been edited together made me really emotional to think about how lucky we are to have our frontline workers. The inspiration from people doing amazing online lives and tutorials especially workout, dance and Vocal Face Gym yoga, make up all giving their time up to help others. Not going to lie, I’ve screen recorded quite a few as I’m going to miss them when this is all over. These have really kept me active and fit and focussed on what is in the future when we can get back out on tour and performing live to an audience in the same space, not through a screen. I was approached to take part in an interview with James Gilmore Wizard Radio and talking to him was so inspiring as he has achieved so much for someone so young. We got to chat about everything aNb and it felt like I had know him for ages. Also chatted to Dan Wootton (The Sun) on Talk Radio and he was so lovely. I hope to meet both of them in person when all this is over.
Have you found yourself having more time for your hobbies and have you got any new hobbies that you have picked up during this time?
ANSWER: I mean I do always try to make time for my hobbies, but this lockdown has made it a lot easier to workout out all the time and sing, write, rehearse, swim and make more tiktoks haha. This lockdown has given me more time to try new things as well, such as new hairstyles and makeup looks on YouTube and also cooking. I‘ve done a few insta lives making stuff like Rainbow Cheese Toasties, Oreo Fudge, lets just say they were very interesting. My newest hobby is photography, I absolutely love it.
Unfortunately at the moment, unable to do any shows, will there be any new shows coming up for you in the near future?
ANSWER: Yes, definitely we have CBA GigZ ” Ultimate Boy Band Tout” that has been rescheduled for August and we will be finding out new dates for all our other amazing live performances, We plan to do regular live performances as a band once we are able to meet up as I’m sure it will a gradual lifting of lockdown rules.
What are you doing during this time to pass the time?
ANSWER: School work takes up a huge amount of my day but they allow me time to schedule fitness into the timetable. Bike rides & runs are the only things I do outside and ofcourse a few Tiktoks along the way, Treadmill & our home gym have been the place I spend a huge amount of downtime, Live streaming on Tiktok, Houseparty, Insta are regular daily rituals, dance practice, yoga, stretching, online vocal lessons, writing, guitar practice, making TikToks, cooking, reading, try new hairstyles/make up looks and playing with my brothers pet Lizard Spike. Filming for Nickelodeon was amazing and introduced us all to how amazing Zoom app is. We shot a whole youtube video using the app and filmed loads of TikToks for their channels. We hope to catch up with them on the tour so they can see us doing what we love the best.
Have you noticed a difference in terms of your productivity?
ANSWER: Yes, definitely, because there are very few distractions in anything I’m doing. We launched our Merch just over a week ago and its been amazing to see how much I can contribute to the process. I started by popping a personal note in with every order not knowing how crazy it would all become. The demand has been amazing. Keeping up with it all would have been impossible without us being in lockdown and its really allowed me to be a massive part of our online shop. It’s something I really want to continue and make sure I’m in touch with what our fans are loving and wanting more of. We worked closely with our incredible stylist Callum Vincent and he has made the Merch so personal and special to the aNb brand. He is a total legend.
Sneak peak of any new music you are currently doing/working on?
ANSWER: Well, I can’t say much because lockdown is uncharge of timings but we were in the process of finishing our very first EP. As soon as each of us can get back in with our producers we will be getting everything finished and the release plan in place. Weekly catch ups with the TV team have made everything really exciting. The series development has been able to continue as nothing can stop the writers doing their job, not even Corona Virus. New song ideas are needed all the time for specific episodes and that stuff we all love to get involved with.
Positives and negatives of being in lockdown?
ANSWER: I mean obviously the main negative of lockdown is not being allowed out and being isolated from family and friends, especially the band. However I like to see the positives in things, so I have really looked at this lockdown as an opportunity to make myself better, such as getting fitter, focussing on dance, vocals and drama skills, building a stronger fan base, supporting the fans we already have, and catching up any school work I needed to focus on. So to be honest this lockdown has been good for all of that, and also is the only way to help the world stay safe. It made me get my home live stream kit fully operational and has made my “Sunday Sessions” a regular item in the aNb online schedule.
Have you got any tips for people in lockdown?
ANSWER: Yes, keep positive, talk to and keep in touch with loved ones. Focus on everyones mental health and take this time to focus on yourself too because I know a lot of my circle especially the fans I talk to are struggling with lockdown and mental health issues. I try to help as much as possible by calling them on house party and guesting them on lives and they stress how much this helps them feel a lot better which in turn makes me very happy
. Finally, where is the first place you’ll be going after lockdown has ended?
ANSWER: The first place I’m going is the rehearsal house to see the band and perform as a band for our fans online. I miss them all so much and this lockdown has been so strange, not being able to see them every Saturday. So yeah, the first place I’m going, is wherever the band is… Tour rehearsals here we come!
Reece
we have been in lockdown for quite a while, have you prepared for this or are you just winging it as much as you can do?
ANSWER: Just trying to adapt to the situation & turn a major negative into a major positive situation to make sure we come out of this as better than before it started. But I’m going with the flow & trying my best to use the time well. W
hat have you been doing with your time during lockdown?
ANSWER: I’ve just been focusing on getting ready for what’s to come! Can’t wait to be back on tour. Making sure we’re consistently up on our socials, scheduling at least 3/4 tiktoks a day, Insta & Tiktok Lives – Angel & I have been doing live quarentine workouts each week to get everybody active, fit & ready for tour also!
What has lockdown taught you in terms of personal and professional life?ANSWER: Personally; It’s also been a humbling experience as it’s showed me that anything can be taken away at any moment, so to appreciate every opportunity & put your all into everything now, as you might not be able to later!Professionally ; that consistency & hard work really is everything. So we’ve been making sure we constantly upload on our socials, always making sure we interact with all our fans & are always sharpening our skill set to become the best band we can be!
Who are you in lockdown with and how are you keeping in contact with people who you’re not living with during this time?
ANSWER: I’m in lockdown with my family (brother, brother’s girlfriend, mother & step father), I seem to find myself regularly checking up on my band members as I miss them more than expected! With frequent facetime calls with Frankie just so he can show me how to make a ‘proper cup of tea’ & guesting fans & the band on livestreams.
You’re a band and obviously gain inspiration from different things, presumably outside, where are you gaining inspiration from during this time?
ANSWER: Trying to find inspiration from each other, discussing ideas & helping everyone through their hardships. Also I like to watch inspirational videos on youtube/instagram & read such books, as they really do help, like ‘the Power of Positive Thinking’ which I am currently reading, to help me maintain good energy & motivation to keep growing & improving.
Have you found yourself having more time for your hobbies and have you got any new hobbies that you have picked up during this time?
ANSWER: Yes I am loving the free time that i’m getting, i’ve started to learn to play the guitar, plus making sure i’m writing & singing/rapping every day. I’ve also downloaded a beat-making software to try to learn to produce some of my own music. I also seem to have fell in love with yoga & find it very helpful & calming around my workouts, along with meditation to help focus on my goals.
Unfortunately at the moment, unable to do any shows, will there be any new shows coming up for you in the near future?ANSWER:Yes, the new rescheduled tour dates have just been announced & I cannot wait to be back on the road, doing what we love & being blessed enough to be able to perform across the UK. We also keep busy & do online / live performances whenever we can, whether that’s posting originals & covers on our socials, or livestreaming our performances in rehersals whenever we can be together.
What are you doing during this time to pass the time?
ANSWER: A lot of exercise & practice, strengthening my mind & body to be fully prepared for the future & keeping myself occupied, setting small daily/weekly goals to keep busy & prevent getting bored during these times! Watching & creating Tiktoks & other social media content is my favourite passtime at the moment, aswell as a newly found slight addiction to online shopping! Launching our Merch line has been amazing. Finding ways to promote all the different aNb items in our new online store has been fun. You might want to check out a few Tiktoks we put together to see what I mean. Cant believe how supportive everyone has been and how quickly we had to restock the store. Our fans are truly amazing.
Have you noticed a difference in terms of your productivity? ANSWER: Yes, since lockdown started I’ve been so much more productive than before, mostly because I don’t have school work in the way anymore so I can now fully devote my energy & attention to the band & my career! I’m loving it so in many ways this has been a blessing!Sneak peak of any new music you are currently doing/working on?
ANSWER: I’ve been posting regular originals & covers on my instagram, & we are performing our unreleased music on tour! Which seems to be going down well. We enjoy working on & making music as it’s really a hobby for us, we love this! EP will follow as soon as we can get into to finish final vocals with our producers.
Positives and negatives of being in lockdown?
ANSWER: Positives are my increased productivity & focus on my goals. Also I have more time to create content, master my craft & engage with our audience. Negatives are that we can’t perform anywhere or rehearse together & see each other, or see any of the fans! So we compensate with fan houseparty calls & insta / snapchat group chats!
Have you got any tips for people in lockdown?
ANSWER: Set yourself daily / weekly goals that you want to achieve, no matter how big or small, to stay busy & active so you don’t get bored & you use your time effectively. & use this time of isolation to better yourself, trying to keep positive.
Finally, where is the first place you’ll be going after lockdown has ended?
ANSWER:I would say to the barbers but i’ve now mastered the art of cutting my own hair! Well maybe not mastered but i’m getting there!So I think it’s gonna have to be the gym on my way to wherever the band are next rehearsing!
Frankie
We have been in lockdown for quite a while, have you prepared for this or are you just winging it as much as you can do?ANSWER: I’m just taking every day as it comes.
What have you been doing with your time during lockdown?
ANSWER: I’ve been exercising a lot and writing a lot of music. I’ve loved spending time with my family.
What has lockdown taught you in terms of personal and professional life?
ANSWER: It’s taught me that I couldn’t live without my band and my music. I literally gotta speak to them everyday and I can’t wait to see them all and get back to some real work as a band. Its taught me that whatever happens in life nothing is a given. Everyday is a blessing.
Who are you in lockdown with and how are you keeping in contact with people who you’re not living with during this time?
ANSWER: I’m with my family so my mum, my dad, my two brothers and my little sister
You’re a band and obviously gain inspiration from different things, presumably outside, where are you gaining inspiration from during this time?
ANSWER: Gaining a lot of inspiration from my band members and how they are dealing with stuff, watching so many people strive to make the best of what we have.
Have you found yourself having more time for your hobbies and have you got any new hobbies that you have picked up during this time?
ANSWER: Yeah I really have and I’ve been spending a lot of time exercising big up Joe Wicks with he’s exercises on YouTube. I have found Bike rides to be really therapeutic. I’ve been learning new instruments and trying to learn new crafts. It’s forced me to try learn piano and guitar as I have no excuse now to say “I will do it when I have some spare time’. Helping my brother with his new customised trainer business and with our Merch store launching there has been loads to focus on.
Unfortunately at the moment, unable to do any shows, will there be any new shows coming up for you in the near future?
ANSWER: We have just had our tour rescheduled for August so I’m very gassed and cannot wait to see all the fans.
What are you doing during this time to pass the time?
ANSWER: Exercising and real family time is my day to day. But there have been crazy moments like when Nickelodeon reached out to us and asked us all to create content for their UK channels was incredible. They had seen out live stream we did just before the Lockdown happened and liked what they did. You just don’t realise who is watching you when you are going live on social media and when opportunities like that arise, it incredible.
Have you noticed a difference in terms of your productivity?
ANSWER: It’s very draining, this whole situation. I really wanna see everyone and get back to doing what I love but it’s all good as it’s making me hungry for what our future holds. Sneak peak of any new music you are currently doing/working on?
ANSWER: Its a waiting game, to know when we might be able to get back in with our producers but it’s coming for sure.
Positives and negatives of being in lockdown?
ANSWER: Positives are spending time with family and endless free time. The negatives are not seeing friend and not getting to see other members of my family.
Have you got any tips for people in lockdown?
ANSWER: Stay positive and remember there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Getting your hour of exercise is crucial and if your able to get outside during that hour, then all the better. Finally, where is the first place you’ll be going after lockdown has ended?
ANSWER: I turned 18 the day all pubs and bars closed so straight to the club for me. My perfect day would be rehearsal, livestream with the band and our core team and then a massive belated birthday celebration in a club.
AJ
We have been in lockdown for quite a while, have you prepared for this or are you just winging it as much as you can do?
ANSWER: I’m not really sure how we could have prepared as we had such little notice. I’m just winging it and going with the flow.
What have you been doing with your time during lockdown?
ANSWER: Trying to teach myself my A-levels, which is so much harder than I thought it was. However I’m also spending some time with my family which is nice because usually we are all out at different times.
What has lockdown taught you in terms of personal and professional life?
ANSWER: The lockdown has taught me that it’s important to rest and look after yourself as well as making sure you are there for your friends who might me struggling.
Who are you in lockdown with and how are you keeping in contact with people who you’re not living with during this time?
ANSWER: Well most people have phones in this day and age so it’s easier to stay in contact through social media and video calls. It’s a shame though because you can’t give your best friends or loved ones a hug.
You’re a band and obviously gain inspiration from different things, presumably outside, where are you gaining inspiration from during this time?
ANSWER: I think because I’m at home a lot more I’m spending a lot more time on my phone and watching the TV and a lot of me inspiration is coming from social media or the telly. Last week I spoke to The Oxford Mail newspaper about tour involvement with the #KidsTogether Campaign for Nickelodeon UK. It was fun going over stuff we have achieved and it reminded me of what is to come in the future. I feel blessed to know I have me family supporting me in everything I want to do.
Have you found yourself having more time for your hobbies and have you got any new hobbies that you have picked up during this time?
ANSWER: Yes, I’ve spent a lot more time looking after my mental and physical health and love going in the home gym we have in the garden.
Unfortunately at the moment, unable to do any shows, will there be any new shows coming up for you in the near future?
ANSWER: Hopefully yes, as soon as this lockdown is over (which I hope is soon) we will probably do our online sets which went down really well with our fans.
What are you doing during this time to pass the time?
ANSWER: I tend to be very bored most of the time when I’m not home schooling myself which means I go and do random things like re-organise a cupboard or do my nails or do a face mask.
Have you noticed a difference in terms of your productivity?
ANSWER: I feel like because I’m at home a lot more I’ve found time to do things that I couldn’t do before and yes, I’ve become a lot more productive. Sneak peak of any new music you are currently doing/working on?
ANSWER: At home I’ve been writing some lyrics but nothing new as a band as we are all so far apart. Being in the studio again is going to be so amazing, can’t wait.
Positives and negatives of being in lockdown?
ANSWER: A positive is that I’m able to slow down and look around and at myself and my health because I usually have a very fast life and don’t really stop. A negative is that I’m not able to see friends and family in person and it’s so frustrating not being able to go see them.
Have you got any tips for people in lockdown?
ANSWER: Use this time as a time of reflection on your life and your self. That’s what I’ve done.
Finally, where is the first place you’ll be going after lockdown has ended?
ANSWER:My Nan’s house because I miss her so much, then MCDONALD’S!!! Then onto a band rehearsal and catch up with everyone.
Ellie
q1. I’d say I’m definitely winging it day by day but i feel like I’m easily finding things to do to keep me occupied!
q2. I’ve mostly been doing school work 😦 But a lot of other things like baking, practising make up and searching new workouts on youtube!
q3. Lockdown has taught me to value things like spending time with family and friends and school alot more because I miss all of my family and the band so much. Being apart from people you love for so long is very hard!
q4. I am spending lockdown with my mum, dad and older brother! The one thing I am finding quite easy is keeping in contact with people because I’m always on facetime to my family and friends and doing zoom calls! And interacting with teachers online to help with the work.
q5. As a band we speak on our snapchat group chat all the time and just having a conversation with them motivates me to make a band TikTok or do a live stream ,which I love doing! It helps keep the fans also motivated which is very important to me! Seeing fans post pics wearing out Merch is so amazing. We are so thankful to have such amazing support.
q6. I have always loved doing my make up and always watch youtube videos on how to improve eye looks and I’ve had so much time to practise and learn new things which is so good. A new hobby is baking! I’ve been helping my mum make dinner and I’ve been baking cakes and cookies. I’ve really enjoy doing it!
q7. Our new tour dates have been released that I am so so excited about. I feel although it was so sad that the tour got cancelled midway through, we were able to really create a bond with all the new and existing fans over lockdown. With everyone at home I’ve really enjoyed doing live streams and speaking to the fans so much more than we have been able to before.
q8. I’m mainly on facetime to my family and friends talking to them while either doing my makeup or cleaning my room (which i’ve started to do more often too haha) Multi tasking is my new skill.
q9. I feel as though I’ve become a lot more interactive over social media with the fans and has made a big impact on me and I hope on them! Talking to new people is something I love and making bonds with them is even better! I feel this time in lockdown has given me so much more confidence to do all of that.
q10. We will be releasing our first ep very very soon and I’m so excited for everyone to hear our original music we’ve working on. Just need to be able to come together with our producers and then all will be revealed.
q11. The main positive in my opinion is that we are saving lives. By staying inside we are making people’s lives a lot less stressful and I can’t stress enough how happy it makes me. Anothre positive would be that we are having a lot more time to speak to fans on social media and create friendships with them 🙂 A big negative for me is that I can’t spend time with family and friends and I miss them all so much! It’s hard not seeing people that you would see all the time , especially my band mates.
q12. My main tip would be to try and stay as positive as possible because although we have to stay inside , we are saving lives and try to make that make you feel good❤️ And too also try and keep your self occupied by trying new hobbies and setting yourself goals! Use the time wisely. q13. I will definitely be visiting all of my family and friends 100% and i know I will be back at band rehearsing for tour straight away😆
[...]
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Originally published: Tuesday, May 05, 2020.
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