Meet The Band: Hinds

Spanish indie rock band Hinds are currently sending their UK fans in a spin with a sold out UK tour on the back of their debut album Leave Me Alone. Taking inspiration from contemporary American garage rockers Mac DeMarco, Ty Segall and The Black Lips, Leave Me Alone is an exciting introduction to the fun-loving quartet pioneering the burgeoning indie music scene in Madrid.

Ana Perrote, Carlotta Cosials, Ade Martin and Amber Grimbergen kick the album off with their new single Garden, before taking the listener on a rock & roll ride weaving sun-kissed, 60’s-inspired melodies, executed with a genius call-and-response between co-vocalists and band co-founders Perrote and Cosials. Andy Howells recently put questions to Carlotta from the band.

How did you come together?
Madrid boys put everyone's destiny together: HINDS.

Can you describe your style of music?
Crunchy and sweet. Like a new kind of weird delicious food that you haven't tried yet!

Where did the name Hinds come from?
From Deers!

Who are your music inspirations?
Paul, Lou, Mac and Kendrick.

Whats been your best live experience?
I once gave a whole show thinking that Lias (the fat white family singer) was in the crowd and I got super excited. When the show ended and that guy came to say congrats, he was just a guy with black crazy hair but no Lias. Ha ha ha ha #lame

What can audiences expect from your live shows?
A BIG CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND FREEDOM. and a lot of beer !!

What are you working on at the moment?
I am working in this interview at the moment Ha ha ha. I have five more after this. and also have to edit our documentary !

Finally, how can we hear more about the band?
We have all our tour dates, videos, video-game, and whatever you need on www.hindsband.com :) !

• Hinds are currently touring the UK and play Bristol's Fleece on February 24.
• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells appears in The South Wales Argus entertainment section The Guide on February 19, 2016.

Meet The Band: Nahko and Medicine For The People

American word-of-mouth sensations Nahko and Medicine For The People are currently making a brief tour of the UK with a series of shows which culminates with a gig at Bristol's Fleece on January 24.

Nahko and Medicine for the People already have a Top Ten hit to their name in both the Billboard Top Alternative Albums and Top Heatseekers charts. As well as garnering a rabid following across the globe, the band’s profile has also exploded online, amassing over 150,000 Facebook fans and millions of video views.
Nahko, an Oregon-born citizen in service to the planet, is descended from a mixture of Puerto Rican, Native American, and Filipino bloodlines.

Disillusioned by the world around him and inspired by vagabond, Americana musicians and storytellers like Conor Oberst and Bob Dylan, Nahko left home as a teenager in search of adventure and self-discovery. Armed with stories, a guitar, and a fierce set of ideals, he set out to bridge the cultural gaps dividing his own psyche. His self-branded ‘Real Talk Music’ is a tribal/folk take on rootsy American pop, serving as a beautiful and uplifting exercise in connecting the mind, body and soul. Lyrically exploring meditative, spiritual and political themes such as indigenous youth freedom, sustainability, healthy living and direct action, Nahko describes his music as a mix of hip‐hop and folk rock with a world message. Andy Howells recently put questions to Nahko

How did the band come together?
Each member of the band has come from a different time and encounter.  One was a bartender at our local tavern, one picked me up hitchhiking, another we met at a house jam rehearsal space in Bali, and yet others were met around community fires in Portland, Oregon.  The resounding wisdom here is that you just stay in your flow and the right people will show up at the right time!

How would you describe your style of music?
The roots are acoustic folk story telling.  sort of a throwback to a style of Americana that Rodriguez was playing.  political, spiritual, autobiographical, and simple.  Now, throw in some huge guitar licks, horn solos, electric violin, and a whole lot of rock and roll and you get us.  The songs I write have influences from reggae, rock, funk, even jazz and classical elements... There's something in there for everyone.

What has been your best live experience as a performer?
Too many to name, but the way I connect with my audience will always be my highlight.  The knowing I see in their eyes.  The language of no words.  It's so powerful.

Can you tell us about Dark As Night?
DAN is a record I know will have many more years/decades of life to it.  We released it three years ago and since then it has gradually picked up speed.  I marvel at witnessing its journey. The songs still teach me lessons on the daily within each chapter I journey through.  That is the power of music and poetry.  You're always learning new things from them.  The songs are personal accounts of life and lesson.  Love and heartache. Mantras and reminders.

Who are your music inspirations?
Back in the day, it was a spectrum from Neil Diamond to Third Eye Blind.  In my twenties, it was Bright Eyes to Broken Social Scene. These days it's Edward Sharpe to Drake.  How's that for juxtaposition?

What was the first record you bought?
It was probably The Green Album by Weezer, Ha Ha.

Are you looking forward to the UK tour?
In general, I'm really excited to come to the UK and spread some more good vibes and love.  We haven't been to Bristol before, but judging from our last visit, I can imagine it's going to be full power.  Ya'll are passionate about music as I am!

• Visit Nahko's official website: nahko.com
• Andy Howells is a freelance writer. A version of this Q&A appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on January 22, 2015.

Meet The Band: Superheaven

Following the release of their second album Ours Is Chrome and their first ever U.S. headlining tour, Pennsylvania's Superheaven are currently touring the UK supporting Every Time I Die. They play The Fleece in Bristol on November 8.

Taylor Madison from the band recently answered questions from Andy Howells.

How did the band first get together?
Pretty much the same way any band gets together. We all played in bands, and wanted to start something new. So we write some songs and recorded a demo. Then we just started playing shows.

Who or what has inspired you most on your musical journey?
 I don't think anything specific. I think everyone in the band started playing at different times and for different reasons. But after playing music for 10 plus years now, I can definitely say that there is a need to create, and that's probably why we continue writing new music.

Can you give us some background about your latest album?
It's our second LP. I don't think there's much background to give. It was a little more difficult to write a second record, but only because there's a desire to make it better, or at least as good as the first record.

You’re touring shortly are you looking forward to that?
Yeah. It's been a little over a year since we've been to the UK.

What can people expect from your forthcoming Bristol gig? 
We have played Bristol more than once. It will probably be loud.

What are you enjoying listening to at the moment?
The new Kurt Vile record is pretty good.

• A version of this Q&A appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on November 7.