Let's address the elephant in the room, shall we: electro-prog rockers Henge are not your average band. For starters, there's the fact that they're aliens...
Led by founder, vocalist and guitarist Zpor, who sings of his space travels, the intergalactic four-piece 'come in the name of rave to spread their message of love and harmony.'
Crafting an interplanetary sound dubbed 'cosmic dross', the quartet have fast established themselves as an unmissable festival act and the accolades have followed: in November, they bagged Live Act of the Year at the Independent Festival Awards 2018.
Meanwhile on record, their debut Attention Earth! revels in a sound-shifting, technicoloured soundscape that moves between soft, hypnotic guitar layers and giddy 8-bit electronics.
It all adds up to an addictive wigged-out concoction that's weird, wonky and loads of fun.
With their 18-date UK tour wrapping up this week (see below for remaining shows), we caught up with Zpor to discover more about Henge's sonic universe...
Led by founder, vocalist and guitarist Zpor, who sings of his space travels, the intergalactic four-piece 'come in the name of rave to spread their message of love and harmony.'
Crafting an interplanetary sound dubbed 'cosmic dross', the quartet have fast established themselves as an unmissable festival act and the accolades have followed: in November, they bagged Live Act of the Year at the Independent Festival Awards 2018.
Meanwhile on record, their debut Attention Earth! revels in a sound-shifting, technicoloured soundscape that moves between soft, hypnotic guitar layers and giddy 8-bit electronics.
It all adds up to an addictive wigged-out concoction that's weird, wonky and loads of fun.
With their 18-date UK tour wrapping up this week (see below for remaining shows), we caught up with Zpor to discover more about Henge's sonic universe...
What was the first song you developed an obsession for?
I became captivated with the sounds of cosmic dross when I was but a youngling on Agricular in Cosmos Redshift 7. My consciousnesses assimilated these sacred frequencies and they have stayed alive within me throughout my billions of years of existence.
What’s the first gig you went to?
I was a regular in the gloop joints where many great musicians of the Agriculan second age of enlightenment transmitted cosmic dross for the joyful edification of the patrons. These wise and silly musicians became my friends and eventually my mentors.
What’s the first instrument you ever got hold of?
A type of Agriculan organ. Similar things can be found on Earth. Often, once picked up, many humans find it too hard to put away.
What is your worst musical habit?
I dance so much that I run out of breath. I am still adjusting to the atmosphere on Planet Earth...
What’s the best piece of musical advice you’ve ever been given?
LISTEN.
Where do you discover new music?
The best place for discovering new music is at festivals and such gatherings.
What’s your favourite venue?
The Underwater Palace on Xylanthia in the Sirius Star System.
Who is your current favourite band/artist?
There are a few... The Evil Usses, Paddy Steer, Felix Kubin.
What inspirations outside of music impact your songwriting?
The Universe.
What track of yours best represents your sound?
A good place to start is the first track of Attention Earth! - Mushroom One.
What’s next for you?
We are celebrating the release of our album Attention Earth! with some very special shows at Gorilla in Manchester on 8 December. There will be a family-orientated matinee performance that is open to all ages and a more rowdy evening show for those aged 14 and over. This also marks the end of our UK tour, during which we have witnessed the successful transmission of cosmic dross throughout the United Kingdom, and a proliferation of joy among humans.
www.hengemusic.com
Shows
07 Dec 7 - The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
08 Dec 8 - Gorilla, Manchester (all ages matinee + evening show)
I became captivated with the sounds of cosmic dross when I was but a youngling on Agricular in Cosmos Redshift 7. My consciousnesses assimilated these sacred frequencies and they have stayed alive within me throughout my billions of years of existence.
What’s the first gig you went to?
I was a regular in the gloop joints where many great musicians of the Agriculan second age of enlightenment transmitted cosmic dross for the joyful edification of the patrons. These wise and silly musicians became my friends and eventually my mentors.
What’s the first instrument you ever got hold of?
A type of Agriculan organ. Similar things can be found on Earth. Often, once picked up, many humans find it too hard to put away.
What is your worst musical habit?
I dance so much that I run out of breath. I am still adjusting to the atmosphere on Planet Earth...
What’s the best piece of musical advice you’ve ever been given?
LISTEN.
Where do you discover new music?
The best place for discovering new music is at festivals and such gatherings.
What’s your favourite venue?
The Underwater Palace on Xylanthia in the Sirius Star System.
Who is your current favourite band/artist?
There are a few... The Evil Usses, Paddy Steer, Felix Kubin.
What inspirations outside of music impact your songwriting?
The Universe.
What track of yours best represents your sound?
A good place to start is the first track of Attention Earth! - Mushroom One.
What’s next for you?
We are celebrating the release of our album Attention Earth! with some very special shows at Gorilla in Manchester on 8 December. There will be a family-orientated matinee performance that is open to all ages and a more rowdy evening show for those aged 14 and over. This also marks the end of our UK tour, during which we have witnessed the successful transmission of cosmic dross throughout the United Kingdom, and a proliferation of joy among humans.
www.hengemusic.com
Shows
07 Dec 7 - The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
08 Dec 8 - Gorilla, Manchester (all ages matinee + evening show)
