Talent, creativity and ambition add up to Eight

Eight – McCarthy sisters Ruby, 25, and Ester, 23 – speak to Sarah Halfpenny about the Peninsula duo’s creative process and plans to explore the realm of pop.

How did the idea of forming Eight come about?

We’ve been singing together since we were toddlers and began taking vocal classes during primary school. Once we began high school, our parents bought us our first real guitars, and we started properly performing at school, local markets and restaurants. Once we had both finished VCE, we saved up money for studio time, which is when we relaunched as Eight.

What’s the significance behind the name?

Around the time we were working on our first EP, I had a dream where the number 17 was shouted at me repeatedly. The next day I experienced what felt like a physical epiphany, and as I checked the clock, the long hand hit 17. I kept seeing the number all month long, but as the name Seventeen has been well secured by one of the most successful K-pop groups, I took to numerology: one and seven together gets eight, which has been a recurring number throughout our lives and holds beautiful symbolism globally, such as abundance, infinity and success.

Tell us about growing up on the Mornington Peninsula. Our family moved down to Balnarring from the city to open a restaurant 20 years ago and have owned three restaurants since. We feel so connected to the nature and beauty down here, and love being surrounded by the water. We grew up alongside our seven cousins, living all around the corner from each other. Any spare moment we had would be spent at Balnarring Beach, or riding our bikes around the village. Family has always been a huge part of our lives, and throughout our childhood we would have a Sunday family dinner weekly with the lot of us. We’ve grown up working in hospitality and are both front of house managers at our mum’s restaurant, Barn and Co.

Are there any specific influences that have shaped your sound?

Growing up, Kylie Minogue, Missy Higgins and Crowded House were always on high rotation on our iPods. We’re both huge K-pop fans too.

What are some memorable moments from your performances so far?

While it isn’t a ‘concert’ performance, the one that is the most precious was having the honour of singing at our cousin’s wedding – though it was tricky holding back tears when there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd. We also had a great time recording our originals in the studio with MSquared and later with SB90, two of which we have released (Tipsy, and Sweetness Wasted).

Can you share some insights into your songwriting process?

Ruby: We both love to write directly from past experiences. I love to have a soundtrack, or the instrumental laid out prior to adding melodies or lyrics. This way my ideas tend to come about while singing over the music.

Ester: I journal quite a bit, and most of my writing has come from me finding an entry that resonated and making it more poetic, or changing words to rhyme. Later on, I figure out what sonic style would match the lyrics or theme best, and go from there.

Are there any upcoming projects in the works?

We’re always writing music, but are excited to head back into the studio again in the coming months. Currently we’re doing photoshoots and focusing on our social media; filming and posting small clips of our originals, and of course covers too.

Follow Eight on Facebook @Eight music, Instagram @eight__music, TikTok on eight_, and on Spotify, iTunes and YouTube.