Indie five-piece Hairband are a Glaswegian super-group made up of members from Spinning Coin, Breakfast Muff, Lush Purr and Kaputt.
Firmly entrenched in Glasgow's DIY scene, the band formed in 2016 and have been making free-spirited, expertly woven guitar pop ever since.
Just have a listen to latest single Bubble Sword to see what we mean: criss-crossing guitar lines rise and fall amidst a dicey but ever-tight rhythm section, topped with primal chants and saccharine vocals. It's skilfully intricate while managing to sound completely unrestrained.
Recorded at Glasgow’s famed Green Door Studios, and 'played in the moment', Hairband's self-titled EP is out now on Monorail Music and is a burst of colour and energy.
Ahead of their shows with Sleaford Mods and Flasher (see dates below) we caught up for a quick chat to delve into their world...
Firmly entrenched in Glasgow's DIY scene, the band formed in 2016 and have been making free-spirited, expertly woven guitar pop ever since.
Just have a listen to latest single Bubble Sword to see what we mean: criss-crossing guitar lines rise and fall amidst a dicey but ever-tight rhythm section, topped with primal chants and saccharine vocals. It's skilfully intricate while managing to sound completely unrestrained.
Recorded at Glasgow’s famed Green Door Studios, and 'played in the moment', Hairband's self-titled EP is out now on Monorail Music and is a burst of colour and energy.
Ahead of their shows with Sleaford Mods and Flasher (see dates below) we caught up for a quick chat to delve into their world...
What was the first song you developed an obsession for?
Rachel: The first song I became obsessed with was probably Sunday Morning by No Doubt. My mum gave me Tragic Kingdom on tape for my tenth birthday, and I remember it was the first time I got really into listening to a track on my own on repeat. It made me feel really strong and inspired.
What’s the first gig you went to?
Emma: Gig on the Green (a festival they used to have in Glasgow Green, in the centre of the city) in 2001 aged 14. We went to see Green Day, but there was this guy Iggy Pop playing beforehand… and he blew our tiny minds. Looking up the line-up now, I can’t remember if we even watched The Strokes or knew who they were!
What’s the first instrument you ever got hold of?
Sephi: I think it was my grandparents' piano when I was five or six, I just tinkered with it but found it really tricky. My grandpa loved playing Heart and Soul on it, and it made me so happy. I didn't know what song that was until I came across someone humming it randomly when I was a lot older. I was very surprised! I thought he'd written it himself!
What is your worst musical habit?
Simone: When I make mistakes, to make them noticeably worse and laugh. Also pentatonic scales.
What’s the best piece of musical advice you’ve ever been given?
Rowan: I did a bunch of musical theatre when I was younger, which I cringe at a little now but actually gave me some of the best singing tips. The one I remember and use most is about projecting, I was told to imagine I could see my voice and that I should imagine I am trying to push it out from your diaphragm to the farthest corner of the room and it’s something I have always used.
Where do you discover new music?
Rachel: I discover new music through my friends. There’s so much music out there so I choose to rely on chance and the influence of those around me to come upon stuff I haven’t heard before.
What’s your favourite venue?
Sephi: One of my favourites is Vega in Copenhagen, I got to see a lot of bands there growing up, like Belle and Sebastian and Albert Hammond Jr. There are so many in Glasgow! The CCA is really nice, the atmosphere is always relaxed and I always have a good time. Another venue I love is the Glasgow Autonomous Space which is not so much a venue, but more of a community-run space. It's always fun seeing and playing gigs there because it's really relaxed and intimate.
Who is your current favourite band/artist?
Rowan: Right at this moment and probably for around about the last year my favourite artist has been Thundercat. Drunk is one of my favourite albums of the last 10 years probably. I was talking to someone at work and they said Thundercat is to bass what Prince was to guitar and I wholeheartedly agree.
What inspirations outside of music impact your songwriting?
Simone: Clouds, drawings, poetry, film, most of all just having conversations.
What track of yours best represents your sound?
Emma: Flying. We have a bunch of songs that are more danceable and upbeat and then a few that are more brooding and ballad-like – I think Flying sits in the middle quite nicely.
What’s next for you?
After the EP comes out, we've got some shows lined up which we're really looking forward to. We're also going to record some more, and write some more too!
Hairband is out now on Monorail Music.
Shows
26 October - Barrowlands, Glasgow (supporting Sleaford Mods)
27 October - Barrowlands, Glasgow (supporting Sleaford Mods)
09 November - The Glad Cafe, Glasgow (supporting Flasher)
Rachel: The first song I became obsessed with was probably Sunday Morning by No Doubt. My mum gave me Tragic Kingdom on tape for my tenth birthday, and I remember it was the first time I got really into listening to a track on my own on repeat. It made me feel really strong and inspired.
What’s the first gig you went to?
Emma: Gig on the Green (a festival they used to have in Glasgow Green, in the centre of the city) in 2001 aged 14. We went to see Green Day, but there was this guy Iggy Pop playing beforehand… and he blew our tiny minds. Looking up the line-up now, I can’t remember if we even watched The Strokes or knew who they were!
What’s the first instrument you ever got hold of?
Sephi: I think it was my grandparents' piano when I was five or six, I just tinkered with it but found it really tricky. My grandpa loved playing Heart and Soul on it, and it made me so happy. I didn't know what song that was until I came across someone humming it randomly when I was a lot older. I was very surprised! I thought he'd written it himself!
What is your worst musical habit?
Simone: When I make mistakes, to make them noticeably worse and laugh. Also pentatonic scales.
What’s the best piece of musical advice you’ve ever been given?
Rowan: I did a bunch of musical theatre when I was younger, which I cringe at a little now but actually gave me some of the best singing tips. The one I remember and use most is about projecting, I was told to imagine I could see my voice and that I should imagine I am trying to push it out from your diaphragm to the farthest corner of the room and it’s something I have always used.
Where do you discover new music?
Rachel: I discover new music through my friends. There’s so much music out there so I choose to rely on chance and the influence of those around me to come upon stuff I haven’t heard before.
What’s your favourite venue?
Sephi: One of my favourites is Vega in Copenhagen, I got to see a lot of bands there growing up, like Belle and Sebastian and Albert Hammond Jr. There are so many in Glasgow! The CCA is really nice, the atmosphere is always relaxed and I always have a good time. Another venue I love is the Glasgow Autonomous Space which is not so much a venue, but more of a community-run space. It's always fun seeing and playing gigs there because it's really relaxed and intimate.
Who is your current favourite band/artist?
Rowan: Right at this moment and probably for around about the last year my favourite artist has been Thundercat. Drunk is one of my favourite albums of the last 10 years probably. I was talking to someone at work and they said Thundercat is to bass what Prince was to guitar and I wholeheartedly agree.
What inspirations outside of music impact your songwriting?
Simone: Clouds, drawings, poetry, film, most of all just having conversations.
What track of yours best represents your sound?
Emma: Flying. We have a bunch of songs that are more danceable and upbeat and then a few that are more brooding and ballad-like – I think Flying sits in the middle quite nicely.
What’s next for you?
After the EP comes out, we've got some shows lined up which we're really looking forward to. We're also going to record some more, and write some more too!
Hairband is out now on Monorail Music.
Shows
26 October - Barrowlands, Glasgow (supporting Sleaford Mods)
27 October - Barrowlands, Glasgow (supporting Sleaford Mods)
09 November - The Glad Cafe, Glasgow (supporting Flasher)
