Sounding like Smashing Pumpkins meeting The Doors, The Cure, and Joy Division in a dark alley, the Oxford-based 2 girl/2 boy Half Rabbits sing songs about hope, courage, and speaking straight from the heart. They’ve received critical acclaim from such luminaries as Rolling Stone and Drowned in Sound.
How long have you been making music?
We've been together since 2003. Chris and I both got guitars for our 16th birthdays, and we've never looked back. We love it. I really can't imagine not writing and playing music.
What inspired your latest album?
The title of our latest album, From The Horizon To The Map, was taken from a book by Elizabeth Bowen written in World War Two entitled The Heat Of The Day. The book is about how daily life goes on even when very important global events are taking place. It makes even more sense now than when we released it in 2010.
Our next album will be a remix album released this coming March, which features remixes by around 8 music acts from Oxford and further afield. It was inspired by's Primal Scream remix album Echo Dek.
What process do you go through to create your music?
I start by writing a melody, then we try out ideas for the instruments, including contributions which the band have been working on outside the studio. Lyrics always come last for some reason; probably as I find they can easily be changed to fit a strong melody, but not the other way around. When we're recording we then ask our producer for ideas too – it works very well, and this way each song is a collective creation.
How would you describe your sound?
I think we're a combination of some of the heavier 1990s guitar bands like Smashing Pumpkins and God Machine mixed with 1980s post-punk vocals; bands like Joy Division, the Chameleons, and the Psychedelic Furs. Speaking of psychedelia, I've always been a big fan of the Doors too.
What would your dream collaboration be?
I've always been a massive Bowie fan, so Bowie please. As for more recent bands, I think a mashup between us and Blood Red Shoes would be great. They're such great musicians.
Where can we catch you performing next?
Thanks for asking. We release our remix album at the Oxford Cellar on Saturday 17 March with handpicked Oxford bands Listing Ships and Cellar Family. After that, catch us at the awesome Oakford Social Club in Reading on 23 May with Deer Chicago.
www.halfrabbits.co.uk
How long have you been making music?
We've been together since 2003. Chris and I both got guitars for our 16th birthdays, and we've never looked back. We love it. I really can't imagine not writing and playing music.
What inspired your latest album?
The title of our latest album, From The Horizon To The Map, was taken from a book by Elizabeth Bowen written in World War Two entitled The Heat Of The Day. The book is about how daily life goes on even when very important global events are taking place. It makes even more sense now than when we released it in 2010.
Our next album will be a remix album released this coming March, which features remixes by around 8 music acts from Oxford and further afield. It was inspired by's Primal Scream remix album Echo Dek.
What process do you go through to create your music?
I start by writing a melody, then we try out ideas for the instruments, including contributions which the band have been working on outside the studio. Lyrics always come last for some reason; probably as I find they can easily be changed to fit a strong melody, but not the other way around. When we're recording we then ask our producer for ideas too – it works very well, and this way each song is a collective creation.
How would you describe your sound?
I think we're a combination of some of the heavier 1990s guitar bands like Smashing Pumpkins and God Machine mixed with 1980s post-punk vocals; bands like Joy Division, the Chameleons, and the Psychedelic Furs. Speaking of psychedelia, I've always been a big fan of the Doors too.
What would your dream collaboration be?
I've always been a massive Bowie fan, so Bowie please. As for more recent bands, I think a mashup between us and Blood Red Shoes would be great. They're such great musicians.
Where can we catch you performing next?
Thanks for asking. We release our remix album at the Oxford Cellar on Saturday 17 March with handpicked Oxford bands Listing Ships and Cellar Family. After that, catch us at the awesome Oakford Social Club in Reading on 23 May with Deer Chicago.
www.halfrabbits.co.uk
