We spoke to Jessica Staveley-Taylor ahead of The Staves gorgeous Y-Plas performance back in November. We learnt about working with Justin Vernon of Volcano Choir and Bon Iver and being more balls-y recently, which may explain why this interview contains nudity.

Hi Jess! You three must have been singing together your whole lives, but when was the moment you realised you three could make a living out of beautiful blood-harmonies?

Our singing has definitely developed over time, but it has always been there without actually trying. We never learnt to sing together, we just always did, like it was fun, natural and instinctive to us. Maybe thatÔÇÖs why we never thought it was anything special. WeÔÇÖve been playing together for ten years but for the first 5 years it was a bit of a hobby because of age differences and school and uni.

People started reacting really well when we were playing little open micÔÇÖs back home in Watford, and we started to realise we had something a little bit special. It started to become the main thing we were doing and we couldnÔÇÖt hold down jobs anymore, and it was a bit like ÔÇÿOh I guess weÔÇÖre in a band now!ÔÇÖ. We actually got paid for gigs and it all got a bit real and professional about 5 years ago.

Back then did you ever think youÔÇÖd be as big as you are now, with Maida Vale sessions & impressive collaborations under your belt?

I never thought it no, I dreamed about this fantasy sort of life ÔÇÿwhat if we could be the next Dixie ChicksÔÇÖ but stopping and thinking about it now is really strange, weÔÇÖre very lucky.

Opportunities like working with Justin Vernon on the new album must be a sweet reward, how was making ÔÇÿIf I WasÔÇÖ?

We went on tour with Bon Iver a few years ago and Justin and the band were so lovely, we had this mutual appreciation with them where they listened to our set and we cried at the side of the stage for the whole of theirs like every night, weÔÇÖve always been fans of their beautiful music. Justin offered us his studio anytime we wanted it and so we went there with no plan or agenda when we got a few weeks off tour in America. He was there with all of his engineers, and thereÔÇÖs never really a right time to make music but it seemed to really work, we came out with about 10 songs that made it onto the record, it must have been the fuse that lit a spark beneath us.

Does the ÔÇÿthickerÔÇÖ sound of the second album come from his ideas or a collaboration between you all?

The first album was definitely more acoustic though it did have electric guitar and drums, but we knew we wanted to try a different sound with the second album in the back of our minds. Bringing JustinÔÇÖs ideas and ours together created this bolder, bigger sound. It sounds like we have a bit more balls on this one.

And howÔÇÖve you dealt with the huge reaction to the album? Was it expected?

No definitely not, I think I always expect the worst with things. Like, itÔÇÖs scary releasing this incredibly personal thing that was made with just a few precious people who will understand it to the entire world. You have those ÔÇÿfuck is this really shit or actually quite coolÔÇÖ moments where you worry what other people will make of it, but really you just hope people can connect with it and enjoy it. We really poured our souls into making it and I hope thatÔÇÖs why people connect with it, because itÔÇÖs honest.

Being Wales-based, we have to ask about the Tom Jones collaboration and how you landed a gig being backing singers to every Welsh mumÔÇÖs favourite?

Ha! God that was a long time ago IÔÇÖm starting to feel old! That was one of our first professionally paid gigs, they asked us for our services singing in the background of this really cool new record he had out. Ethan Johns was producing it who went on to produce our first album too. I always look back on that era with a huge smile, Tom was so lovely and laid back which honestly we didnÔÇÖt expect. You expect this big crazy character but he was really chilled out, our mum and auntie are Welsh and they properly freaked when they met him which was funny.

YouÔÇÖve recently toured with Florence and the Machine on her arena tour, should we be expecting full body glitter jumpsuits at your shows now then?

You know we were thinking of just performing completely naked really. Just proper going for it.

Sounds about right, yeah.

SheÔÇÖs amazing, her voice is so powerful even running around on stage. We canÔÇÖt compete with that so we might just get our tits out. No but seriously she is like an athlete, sheÔÇÖs such a dedicated performer and a lot of preparation goes into each of her shows. It reminded me of cool runnings or something, whereas we sort of fall out from the back of a van onto the stage. It was interesting to be a part of a pop world as weÔÇÖre more used to supporting indie bands. She is a powerhouse, carrying an entire arena tour with just her voice. It made us put a little bit more into our performance I suppose, but ultimately we are who we are and if people like us then thatÔÇÖs great.

YouÔÇÖve recently become Netflix famous as well as musically famous, how did you get involved with the ÔÇÿAustin to BostonÔÇÖ documentary, working with Ben Howard and Bears Den etc?

That was our favourite tour ever. It was hard, mind… but amazing. The tour came out of our connection with the amazing lot over at Communion records. WeÔÇÖve always been really involved with them, so much so that people think weÔÇÖre signed to them when weÔÇÖre more faking it and just hanging out with them. Maz who works at Communion [who ended up driving the band round America in the VW van for the tour) and Kev from Bears Den booked us a lot in London when we started on a play only basis, so we didnÔÇÖt struggle without a record deal or manager as we didnÔÇÖt have to bring a certain number of people to the shows, it was more like ÔÇÿwe like your music you should come and play in LondonÔÇÖ they really took us under their wing and weÔÇÖre so grateful. The tour was like us and lots of bands who were friends and some who we didnÔÇÖt know to begin with, it was so much fun to do and we met loads of cool people on it.

Back to the music, youÔÇÖve played loads of festivals this year including WalesÔÇÖ own Green Man. What was the favourite?

Green Man was definitely a highlight. With all the lovely people and rolling Welsh hills itÔÇÖs so beautiful, we played there two or three years ago and it reminds me of playing the Park stage at Glastonbury where we played this year; itÔÇÖs got that sort of vibe to it. Another fave is Justin VernonÔÇÖs festival out in Wisconsin where he basically got his mates and favourite bands to play. There was us, Sufjan Stevens, The National and obviously Bon Iver. It was amazing.

Is your music more festival inclined or do you prefer playing your own headline shows?

Headline shows, definitely. You can be in control and make sure youÔÇÖve got the sound perfect with sound checks and stuff, whereas at a festival although the vibes are so nice for the fans, for musicians itÔÇÖs pretty much a case of surrendering to no sound checks and a half hour set before being rushed off, though the crowd are usually more ÔÇÿfreeÔÇÖ than usual. ThereÔÇÖs fun to be had at festivals but when the season comes a mild panic sets in with me, like weÔÇÖre definitely going to be rained on during at least half of our festival sets.

Have you been writing much on this tour or do you prefer writing when things are quieter?

You donÔÇÖt get as much privacy on tour, like itÔÇÖs hard to get into the right headspace of discovery when thereÔÇÖs 15 people surrounding you at all times! There are some moments of inspiration during tours but usually itÔÇÖs afterwards when I have a bit more time to gather myself again. You normally get a bit down when a tour finishes, your body is tired and you need a break but you also really miss that family atmosphere. I get really reflective and thatÔÇÖs when stuff starts to happen.