At Bellaboo we are constantly scouting for the next big thing in all forms of entertainment! With great pleasure Kate was able to chat to Charlie (A.K.A Dash) just one half of the funky pop duo Dash&Will, to get the low-down on who the band are musically, personally and their hopes for their hot new album!

Dash&Will - tell me about the name of your band, is it a statement?

Our parents were going to name us Dasher and William. I know - lovely right? For the band, it wasn't really meant to make a statement. We were just sitting around throwing random words up in the air and just came to it, it was quite hilarious but we just both thought it fit really well. What we liked about Dash and Will is that it reflects the individuality of two people rather than just being an ordinary band name.

It has been a long time in the making for your debut album - 6 years in fact since you started performing… how are you feeling now on the break of the album and the media attention you have received?

It has been a long time. It has been almost three years since we signed with our independent label, but we are just so lucky how it all came about. There have been frustrating times; having to wait our turn for certain things to happen and having to shaft things back. Honestly it has been well worth it. If we had released our album months or even years ago we wouldn't be at the same level of performance that we are at now. We have been working so hard to get things together in the right state and I think now we are finally ready.

Have you faced any challenges or barriers throughout the time of producing this album?

I can't even explain how many challenges we have faced. Being part of the Universal family there are so many other artists that are trying to break through like us so things get thrown around and its hard at times to keep the focus and to schedule.

Tell me how you were able to put your debut album together? Did you allocate a theme or were you more relaxed?

Well, we actually wrote our songs when we were like 13 and 14. We just revisited them recently and changed the lyrics around. Some of them were quite lame as we were so young. We just built ourselves up a collection over time.

At BB we absolutely love your new single Pick You Up! What was it about the song that made you put it forward as your signature song?

What we love about it is that it's just a cool catchy pop song that isn't what you'd expect through traditional pop. It was written in a way to show both of our characters and personalities. It shows what we are about and that we are just two down to earth girls. I hope that everyone can relate to it. It's young, bubbly energetic and really accessible.

It has been said that when you first met each other in the 4th grade that you didn't like each other .. you admit today you are completely different to Josie, Why is it then that you work so well as a duo?

I can definitely say we are totally different people and beside our love for music we are not at all the same! We met on the first day of year four and even then there was some rivalry and snarls happening. I remember we had a fight about who was taller , I suppose that day really told our future. While we have our admitted differences we work so well together and that's why I think we are will be set apart from many other duo.

Do you ever clash these days?

We do have our little fights and I think it's only normal. We are spending all our time together, if not in the studio, then with the same friends. So you can imagine the little jokes and bickering that goes on. It's all in good humour. We would never take anything too seriously and get in the way of what we are working so hard on.

I read that you both were always involved in school performing groups, having attended an arts school, so was this career path something you always were keen on?

Well, my family are not very musical but they are quite arty and alternative. I have always jumped around pretending to be a rock star to my favourite songs. Josie and I joined a singing group in our music class. We basically bonded instantly and eventually realised that what we had could allow us to pursue a music career.

It must have been hard having to juggle the demons of senior study as well as your music?

It was very difficult to balance school and music. Josie and I both did not take up music as an elective in year 11 and 12 so through that time our music was more like a hobby. I suppose being in the studio was one way for us to relieve the stress of exams. Our families and teachers were very understanding when we needed to pass up classes in order to record or perform, so I suppose we were quite lucky.

Where do you find support?

We have many people who support us in different areas. Our families have been so helpful and supportive from the start. Our teachers, as I said, were accommodating to our career through school and were so happy for us. Barry Palmer has been a rock for us over the past few years. When he signed us to his label he sat us down and just talked it all out. Giving us insight into what we were going to experience and preparing us for what was ahead.

Barry Palmer was a lead member of the famous band Hunters and Collectors… It must have been pretty great to have him on side at such a young age! How did that come about?

Barry Palmer's kids actually went to the same school as us. It was at a school Christmas party that one of our parents got to talking to him and handed him a demo that they happened to have on them. Barry listened to it and called us a few days later. That really felt huge then at just 16; thinking of how it all could pan out. Signing to his independent label was definitely a defining moment. It was a massive wake up call to start focusing on defining our sounds and creating an image and message for our audience

Who inspires you musically?

I love female lead vocalists from Courtney love to the Devinals. What is great about them is that they aren't just a band, they are great at writing songs- that's what attracts people.

Do you have any pre-release jitters or concerns for Dash&Will in terms of competition within the pop genre?

We don't have any concerns about other artists or expectations, well not massive ones anyway. We are just very positive and hope that it goes very well, that the public enjoy it. We just want to get out there and do shows because that's what we love - performing.

What do you want people to know about Dash&Will that they don't know yet?

We have done all of the writing ourselves and that our music is real emotions and real ideas. We want people to come watch us perform to get to see Dash&Will for themselves, instead of just on the radio.

What is your style?

I would describe our fashion sense as simple and edgy. Similarly we consider our music style edgy pop which is an exciting element. You will only ever see us in jeans and T-shirts. You wouldn't catch us in too many dresses or over-glammed looks.

Who is your pick for the hottest guy out?

Aaah I cant answer that, my boyfriend would kill me. I suppose I'd say Brad Pitt- I know I won't be bumping in to him any time soon!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I hope to see us rocking it out in different places around the world. Also getting to attend music festivals in sunny cities with our fans.

What can't you live without?

Cups of tea! It's really weird but Josie and I have an addiction to it. Regardless if we are at the studio, at home or just chilling we always need a tea break.