Hooded Fang hit Europe
Hailing from Toronto, Hooded Fang are one of Canada’s most critically acclaimed bands, with their music being the buzz of blogs the world over. Their zeitgeist sound of fuzzy indie-pop draws on retro influences similar to The Drums and The Vaccines. However, the band has so far eschewed the lure of a big money signing to a major label and concentrated on making the music they love. Earlier this year the collective self-released a new mini-album called Tosta Mista, which was underpinned by the real-life break-up between core members Daniel Lee and April Aliermo. We had what turned out to be rather a surreal conversation with Daniel ahead of their extensive UK and European tour.
Hi Daniel. What’s the story so far? How did you form Hooded Fang?
We met in a pool of lava, swimming amongst the burning trash of forgotten prehistoric animals.
You are on your UK/EU tour. How is it going?
We are not on it yet, but we will be, come Sunday. So far it is just going on in our minds.
Where’s the best place you have been on tour?
Every place is good, but we want to go to Japan because I’m pretty sure that it will be the best food. I would like to eat more Japanese food on tour.
If you were putting your sound in a musical spectrum, which other two artists would you sit between?
Probably between GG Allin and the floor.
I read that you were the “most blogged band on Hype Machine” a couple of years ago. How do you think the internet has changed the landscape in promoting a record?
The internet is great because it allows us to post pictures of cute animals every day. I think that it boosts our record sales.
Your latest album is being released on your own Daps label. Is independence from a record label something you are passionate about?
The last album was released on Daps in Canada, and Full Time Hobby in the UK/EU. Independence is nice. It allows us to decide when we would like to make music and when we would like to look at cats on the internet, which boosts our record sales.
There are often different numbers of people in the band. What does this lend to the band’s sound?
Sometimes we record members walking in and out of the room, just to hear the different footsteps and number of voices breathing, and the variance in these changes.
Well, erm, thanks Daniel! We hope the band keep sane on their upcoming tour and if you would like to have a listen to Tosta Mista, or get more information on the band please visit the Hooded Fang website.
Words: Mark Birtles
Translation: Asuka O.
November 8, 2012
