Start Listening To: Hot Face
We spoke with latest Speedy Wunderground alumni Hot Face about their recent single ‘dura dura’.
In this Q&A we caught up with Sam Catchpole, George Cannell and James Bates of Hot Face.The band's formation was a serendipitous event that occurred during the pandemic when they all came together for a jam in the basement of a pub in Croydon. From there, regular music sessions in Sam's garage led to their unexpected encounter with producer Dan Carey of Speedy Wunderground. In just their third show, Dan appeared and extended an offer for a single, setting Hot Face's trajectory in motion.
Can you tell us more about the journey that led Hot Face to be signed by Speedy Wunderground and featured in their iconic single series?
J: We all came together one night at a jam in the basement of a pub in Croydon during the pandemic and after that we started regularly playing music with one another in Sam’s garage. The Speedy single kinda happened out of the blue. It was our third show we’d played together and after the set Dan Carey appeared out of the mist like some kind of mystic shaman, demanding answers to three questions; who are you, what are you and where have you come from? After about 5 minutes chatting he extended an offer to do a single and the rest is history.
S: The basement jam was a pretty fateful meeting. We were wedged in between kegs and crates, half mad from the sensory deprivation of multiple lockdowns. Everything was pretty janky in the best sense of the word. I remember James starting to add lib on vocals and it was so playful and off the cuff, I was bouncing off the energy thinking ‘hey, I like this guy’. Once we started rehearsing it became clear that George had a really defined melodic sensibility on bass which often started the creative process. When Dan first saw us play he pulled his hood up and started the mosh pit for the last tune, there’s a funny video of it and you can see the cheeky grin on his face amongst the chaos.
"Dura Dura" has been described as a jagged, buzzsaw of a tune. What was the inspiration behind the song and its distinctive sound?
J: Lyrically, dura is a collection of vignettes written during a visit to California. It’s a dada-esque collage of memories from that trip and is my interpretation of the environment I found myself in. Musically and sonically it’s a song that just happened. One day it descended upon us like a berserker, and we allowed it to tear us apart. Then we put the pieces back together and we’re both delighted and terrified by the result.
S: The verse groove stems from my love of Jaki Liebezeit’s interpretation of those old funk breakbeats. In dura dura the beat has a much more driven feel and I wanted to exaggerate the push and pull between each section of the track. George’s bassline grounds the whole thing, it lets me and James off the hook.
How would you describe your music style, and what influences have shaped your sound?
J: Our musical style is a hard thing for us to define as we’re not really sure ourselves what we are. There’s traces of everything we like running through what we do and I think that maybe we’re a bit reluctant to define ourselves as it feels a bit limiting. But in terms of influences definitely a lot of garage-rock/psych with a healthy dose of punk, funk n a whole lotta noise!
Hot Face has been praised for the speed and ferociousness with which you attack your songs. Can you share some insights into your energetic and intense live performances?
S: At the minute, we seem to lean towards those faster tempos, maybe because it also gets us excited. Someone once said the music made them want to kickbox their way through life. Me, James and George aren’t out-and-out extroverts but Hot Face brings that spirited, feisty side out of us and we hope it’s the same for everyone at the shows.
What was it like opening up for Miss Tiny at the Brixton Windmill and later being invited to play at Speedy's annual Xmas Party? How did those experiences shape your journey as a band?
G: They were some really fun shows to play. I guess with every gig we play now we’re getting closer and closer to channeling the right energy and learning how to weave through the songs in a way that feels good. Typically we’re playing for 30-40 minutes so in that time you want to take the listener on a little journey and segue through the highs and lows at the right time to keep them locked in.
S: We get on really well with Miss Tiny and they’re also a three piece when they play live so being on the same line up works a charm. Definitely looking to play more shows with them soon. Seeing Ben kill it on the drums and vocals is something I love to see too. Mad that alongside being a great producer and bassist for Warmduscher he’s also got that skillset, props to him.
Speedy Wunderground is known for its unique approach to music production. How did working with producer Dan Carey and the Speedy team contribute to the creation of "Dura Dura" and your overall sound?
G: I think our sound fits hand in hand with the whole ethos Dan has in his approach to the single series. He wants to capture a moment and a feeling in a matter of a couple of takes and going in with that in mind breeds this kind of nervous intensity in the room. The song wouldn't be what it is had it been any other way.
As a band, what do you hope listeners take away from your music and performances?
J: A good time.
G: Yeah - wide eyes, scrunched up noses and hot sweaty faces!
S: A chance to revel and be a lil monsta for a while.
With the release of your debut offering, what are your expectations and aspirations for Hot Face's future in the music industry?
J: More shows, more songs, more fun. If we can do those three things whilst keeping the vampires of the ‘industry’ at bay then we’d be happy.
S: Hopefully we continue to meet great folks and build a bit of a family around the music. We’ve got a few ideas on recording new tracks, so keep an eye out. We’ll be playing some shows and festivals abroad for the first time as well, definitely looking forward to making new friends in Europe.
How do you balance the elements of playfulness and scariness in your music? Is there a particular message or emotion you aim to convey through this combination?
J: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Hot Face has been compared to artists like King Gizzard, Primal Scream, and 60s psychedelic British pop. How do you feel about these comparisons, and who would you consider as your biggest musical influences?
J: It's always interesting to hear who we get compared to, sometimes people say artists who we’d never considered before but then we listen to them and immediately see the similarities. The fore-mentioned ones are interesting because there’s definitely a cross section of those artists’ sonic palette within our own music but I don’t think we would’ve necessarily cited them as influences. It’s also really nice of people to compare us to great musicians, especially ones who we hold in high regard. In terms of our influences it’s hard to pin down but if I had to name a few it’d be; 13 Floor Elevators, Barrett era Pink Floyd, Faust, Shellac, Pixies, Mothers Of Invention.
S: I almost broke my arm getting distracted by a Bapak song whilst on my bike not too long ago. They’re an undefinable band from Indonesia, I can safely say I’ve experienced almost all emotional states whilst listening to them, if you go along for the ride you’ll be richly rewarded. Other bands I could cite are Can, Stereolab and Badbrains.
Could you give us a glimpse into your creative process? How do you approach songwriting and collaboration within the band?
J: Typically we just jam until something stands out and then we follow it down the rabbit hole until we’ve got a song or a headache. Sometimes one of us will come in with an idea conceived at home and then we’ll pick it apart together ‘till we get something that we’re happy with. There isn't a process as such, more of a willingness to explore, experiment and extract whatever stands out to us.
Hot Face has already achieved critical acclaim with your debut single. How do you handle the pressure and expectations that come with early success, and how does it impact your artistic process?
G: I think the reception we’ve had post release has been really encouraging and we’ve all really enjoyed reading what people have written about it. It’s cool to get an outside perspective on it after keeping it behind closed doors for so long and if anything all of that has given us a green light to keep doing what we’re doing. But we’d do that anyway.
What do you love right now?
Nihilist Penguin (google it)
What do you hate right now?
Trout Mask Replica.
What album are you still listening to from when you were younger? Why is it still important to you?
J: Electric Ladyland, that album made me understand that god is real and his name is Jimi Hendrix.
G: London Calling by The Clash. Whenever I need revving up that's my go to.
S: Aber Bitte Mit Sahne - Udo Jürgens. A maestro that pulls at the heartstrings and leaves me weak at the knees.
Looking ahead, what can fans and listeners expect from Hot Face in terms of upcoming releases and live performances?
S: We have shows in London coming up next one is on the 10th of June. Look them up on Dice etc. There’s shows at Supersonic in Paris and Left of the Dial in Rotterdam as well as a sold out show at Yes in Manchester. We’re also putting together a release show on July 22nd in London for when dura dura comes out on vinyl, which will also feature visual art and spoken word. We’re getting artists we like to make limited edition custom sleeves for the vinyl release, it’s going to be a joyous night, you should come.
