INTERVIEW: It Hugs Back
What’s the main influences for your music?
Musical influences… I think some our favourite bands from when we were at school still come through, like llama farmers & cay, and some of the first bands we all shared records by, like sonic youth, nirvana, lemonheads, teenage fanclub, Neil young… More recent shared loves include polar bear, thee oh sees, talk normal, grouper, sun ra & sun araw
Also, Risking sounding pretentious but in all seriousness, I have been always been very influenced by modern art and the artists and their attitudes and ideas to creativity! Going to a gallery is sometimes more inspiring than going to gigs!
Musical influences… I think some our favourite bands from when we were at school still come through, like llama farmers & cay, and some of the first bands we all shared records by, like sonic youth, nirvana, lemonheads, teenage fanclub, Neil young… More recent shared loves include polar bear, thee oh sees, talk normal, grouper, sun ra & sun araw
Also, Risking sounding pretentious but in all seriousness, I have been always been very influenced by modern art and the artists and their attitudes and ideas to creativity! Going to a gallery is sometimes more inspiring than going to gigs!
You’re out at dinner and its dessert time. What’s the one thing you’d choose and not share with even your most beloved?
I only discovered this recently but it’s quite something: the best possible vanilla ice cream with a double espresso poured on top… Simple and simply delicious!
What is your favourite record you’ve made?
In terms of a single song, ‘Massachusetts’ from our new record was special both because it matched what I heard in my head while writing it and this was exceeded by what the others in the band brought to it, jack’s harmonies on that song are so brilliant. But, the best thing I think we have written and recorded so far is The Big E.. if you were to only to hear one it hugs back song I’d pick that one!
The Artwork in your collection is immense. Is this something you have a lot of input in creatively, or do you leave it up to Ffi Ffi Mon Chee Chee?
We asked Ffion / Ffi Ffi to make a flyer for our first gig and gave no instructions but it was perfect and she has done every bit of artwork for band since… We’re lucky! The way she has invented a visual identity is great and really appeals to the record collector in me!
Who the dream of dreams on sharing a stage with?
Guess I would quite like Neil young to come and play The Big E with us.
A wild Pokemon appears, who will you choose?
Ffi ffi mon Chee chee chooses jigglypuff - I haven’t a clue what this means?
Future plans for It Hugs Back?
We’ve just recorded a few new songs and are hoping album 3 won’t take nearly as long as album 2 to make…
Catch It Hugs Back next Wednesday here at the pub, with a new night we have starting After School Music Club. Check out the rest of the line up and more details on their facebook event here.
Get advanced tickets here now for only £5, otherwise its £6 on the door.
Words: Chantel Beaven
I only discovered this recently but it’s quite something: the best possible vanilla ice cream with a double espresso poured on top… Simple and simply delicious!
What is your favourite record you’ve made?
In terms of a single song, ‘Massachusetts’ from our new record was special both because it matched what I heard in my head while writing it and this was exceeded by what the others in the band brought to it, jack’s harmonies on that song are so brilliant. But, the best thing I think we have written and recorded so far is The Big E.. if you were to only to hear one it hugs back song I’d pick that one!
The Artwork in your collection is immense. Is this something you have a lot of input in creatively, or do you leave it up to Ffi Ffi Mon Chee Chee?
We asked Ffion / Ffi Ffi to make a flyer for our first gig and gave no instructions but it was perfect and she has done every bit of artwork for band since… We’re lucky! The way she has invented a visual identity is great and really appeals to the record collector in me!
Who the dream of dreams on sharing a stage with?
Guess I would quite like Neil young to come and play The Big E with us.
A wild Pokemon appears, who will you choose?
Ffi ffi mon Chee chee chooses jigglypuff - I haven’t a clue what this means?
Future plans for It Hugs Back?
We’ve just recorded a few new songs and are hoping album 3 won’t take nearly as long as album 2 to make…
Catch It Hugs Back next Wednesday here at the pub, with a new night we have starting After School Music Club. Check out the rest of the line up and more details on their facebook event here.
Get advanced tickets here now for only £5, otherwise its £6 on the door.
Words: Chantel Beaven
Review: Mission Creep
This months Mission Creep was opened by MOHIT and headlined by Avalanche City, here’s what I said to say about the two bands:
Opening the evening were Bognor Regis three piece MOHIT whose metallic riff’s and shimmering use of cymbals formed danceable melodies and hypnotic beats. A lighter version of ‘Chapel Club’ these guys slacker pop melodies were conducted in a blissful manner. Holding together the heady swirls and soft vocals was a smashing drummer whose use of percussion created an air of urgency and poignant energy; adding a crisp and mature sound to this young band. Fresh, and, not afraid to experiment these guys organic sound and alluring manner is instantly infectious.
To listen to more of MOHIT visit their BandCamp here
From Auckland, New Zealand, Avalanche City headlined the event. Their loveable folk tunes attracted a large audience, made up of friends from Auckland and UK new comers keen to see their wistful songs in a small scale venue. The warming vocals of the singer combined with the twinkling of the glockenspiel and humming’s of the violen opened up a world made up of beautiful sun-sets, beach walks and rolling hills. These guys are romantics; reflecting their home country as well as engaging with all things love, lust and romantic get aways, they set the pathway for the beginning of summer. The audience swayed to single “Love, Love, Love” floating away with the songs rolling fluency and sing-along chorus. Humbly talking to the crowd in-between the set, these guys expressed an air of grace matched with their poetic lyrics and twee ditties. Whisked away by their warm fuzzy nature, the audience and band alike were left grinning with dreams of cold cider, green fields and deep blue oceans; something which these guys transform into tunes, that appear to make these images a reality.
For more information on Avalanche City visit here
Club Mission Creep is a monthly club night that features two exciting new acts from a variety of genres. Previous artists have included Filthy Boy, Woman’s Hour, Pet, Crushed Beaks and Acronym. Run by Emily Mackay (NME), Alex Denney (NME, Stool Pigeon) and Daniel Djan it is hosted on the 2nd of Tuesday of each month.
For more information on Mission Creep and other events at The Macbeth visit here.
