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| Photo : Hide and Seek |
Earlier this year I came across Hide & Seek. With only two live demo tracks on Soundcloud and a few videos on Youtube, it felt like a tease to say the least. I instantly wanted to see them live and, alike so many other fans, needed more music.
Then their debut EP was announced.
The London four-piece made up of Niall, Sam, Ant and James have toured with some of my other favourites including Declan McKenna, The Amazons and Lisbon. Already they’ve played in some of London’s best venues, recorded a Sofar session, released part 1 of their debut EP and are probably the exciting unsigned band I’ve discovered this year. And they’ve did it all before turning 19.
Hide & Seek
Niall
Logue - Rhythm guitar and lead vocals
Sam
Leaver - Lead guitar and backing vocals
Antonio
Josephides - Bass guitar and backing vocals
James
Deacon - Drums and backing vocals
SBLM
– The first part of the Ready Or Not EP is out now with the next
part out in August. Is there any significant reason why the EP is
split ?
H&S
- Yes it is! Go and check it out! Hahaa. Originally, we knew how we
were going to order the songs as we feel they tell a story from start
to finish and having the EP split into 2 parts emphasises this more,
a literal break in the story. Hopefully it’ll be something people
work out when they hear it in full.
SBLM
- With the release of the EP is there any chance you will be touring
?
H&S
- You never know! We always have plans on the horizon and we’ve
been talking recently about some stuff here and there. Nothing’s
ready to be confirmed or announced at the moment but keep an eye out
on our social pages for any news!
SBLM
– For the people who are coming across your music for the first
time, who do you think you are similar to as musicians and what would
you say is your musical style ?
H&S
- We’re around the indie pop area but pull in other influences from
other genres. We think we’re similar to the likes of Circa Waves,
Peace and The 1975.
SBLM
- Who are your influences in music ?
H&S
- We all individually take influences from different places so if we
all chose one, Niall’s is The Beach Boys, James’ is Jeff Lynne,
Ant’s is Queen and Sam’s is Jeff Buckley but if we looked to our
influences within the band, we’d all say Wolf Alice straight away.
Niall, Ant and Sam were all into them and managed to convert James
into a fan too and now we’re always listening to their stuff and
looking towards them. Ant and Sam saw them in a couple of tiny venues
including Heaven in London in the early days and recently Sam and
James saw them play the Pyramid at Glastonbury, so they’re real
inspirations in the path they’ve taken.
SBLM – Talking of Glastonbury, what would be your ideal festival to play ?
H&S
- We’d have to say a combination of Glastonbury and Reading. They
both seem like the pinnacle of festivals for us. A few of us have
been to Glastonbury, a few have been to Reading and every time we
just get inspired by the bands on stage and their journey up to that
point and beyond.
SBLM
– So some of you have been to Glastonbury and Reading, but what
were the first gigs you ever went to in comparison to two of the
biggest festivals in the UK.
H&S
- James went to see We The Kings at Scala, Ant saw The Black Keys at
The O2, Sam saw Red Hot Chilli Peppers at Knebworth and Niall saw
JAWS at Heaven. Quite a good blend we think! Nothing embarrassing!
SBLM
– While I my shameful first gig was either Kylie or Steps in the
SECC when I was five... Moving on, what was the first album you ever
bought ?
H&S
- Ant’s was the all time classic, Friday’s Child by Will Young!!
James’ was probably one of Busted's or Mcfly’s, Sam reckons it
was one of the NOW! albums and Niall’s was an embarrassing S Club 7
album, tragic!!
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| Photo - Hide and Seek |
SBLM – With them as your firsts, what are your favourite albums and tracks right now ?
We’re all listening to ‘The Ride’ by Catfish and the Bottlemen at the moment. Also, as always, ‘My Love Is Cool’ by Wolf Alice. Also The Beach Boys - We’re really trying to get harmonies as a big part of our live shows as well as new recordings so we’re getting a lot of inspiration from them, the masters right now!
‘Emily’ off of Catfish and the Bottlemen is a bit of a favourite when we’re having a break in the rehearsal room. Also we covered Zara Larsson’s ‘Lush Life’ at a gig recently so have all been banging that out quite a bit!
SBLM
– So their your favourite tracks and singles at the moment, what
about favourite albums ?
H&S
- We’re
really loving The Amazons, their new track Nightdriving is class!
Also Declan McKenna. We’ve been lucky to play with both
of those recently and they’re all great guys who have given us
advice and properly inspired us with what we’re doing!
SBLM – Back on to you lot as a band, what’s the best gig you’ve played so far ?
H&S - We played a show at a place in Harpenden called The Factory. We loaded our kit into this building which was falling apart, literally the roof had fallen down in certain parts, we were told that ‘the power might just cut off during the gig’ - all of that stuff you’re not expecting to see and hear before a show! It was a really basic set up, only half of the PA System was working as well, we weren't feeling great about it. We got on stage and it turned out to be one of our favourite shows ever! The crowd were amazing, we played really well and everything just clicked into place. If you forget about the power actually cutting out during our set, it was perfect!! We’ve actually had a couple of shows like that. It’s always the ones you don’t expect which turn out to be the special ones.
Right now, Hide and Seek are my absolute favourites alongside Pretty Vicious. I know I tend to say this a lot, but there's definitely something special with this band. As for the bands debut EP, Ready Or Not, you can download it from Soundcloud here. Also its linked near the top of this post and below. Part 2 is out this month so keep an eye out for that because its more new music for Hide & Seek and that is never a bad thing.
If you know me and this blog, you'll understand why I adore this band. They've got the sound people are obsessed with. Their talented, their young and have proper enthusiasm which comes through their music and videos.They're on track to become something big, huge even. Headlining festivals by 21 ? I don't see it as impossible for this band.
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And yes I know, its ironic how their called Hide & Seek and I'm telling you to follow them (on social media). I know, I noticed it too. Anyway, check them out, its all linked below and keep watching for Ready Or Not EP Part 2 because its going to be worth the wait.
Debut EP
Hide & Seek Ready Or Not EP Part 1
Social Media
Hide & Seek Twitter
Hide & Seek Instagram
Hide & Seek Soundcloud
Hide & Seek Youtube
Sofar Session
Hide & Seek Sofar Session