We Say…
Hairband are a Glasgow-based DIY-pop band featuring members of an impressively diverse collection of bands, including Spinning Coin, Breakfast Muff, Lush Purr and Kaputt. The band formed back in 2016, and sharing songwriting duties between all five members, have put together an eclectic but never unfocused debut EP, released last month on Monorail Music.
Despite the multitude of voices and ideas on show, what impresses about Hairband is the way they fall into a sound entirely their own. The way their guitars entwine and part, the dense harmonies, the fluttering rhythmic pulse; individually these ideas bring others acts to mind, together they couldn’t be anyone but Hairband. The power of friendship, the power of music, Hairband look at the world, see all the flaws and joys and accept it for what it is; “I say goodbye to the feeling of my feet with the earth beneath and take to the sky, thank you gravity for all you’ve done for me, but don’t let me go”, Hairband are about to take flight, and not even gravity can stop them.
They Say…
FTR: For those who don’t know who are Hairband?
We’re three Scots – Simone (Guitar & Vox), Rowan (Guitar & Vox), Emma (Drums) and Rachel (Guitar & Vox) and Sephi (Bass & Vox) who are both originally from Canada. We all met at gigs in Glasgow and decided to meet for a jam one day in 2016 at a shared practice space, which has since become our home. We loved it and slowly, slowly Hairband came about.
FTR: What can you remember about your first show?
It was opening at Freakender Spring Fling 2017 and we played 4 songs. Our friends who run the festival were lovely and encouraging to let us play despite having such a short set. It was one of the first times we heard our songs properly, through the venue PA at The Old Hairdressers in Glasgow, and we were blown away by such a nice response from the crowd and surprised we actually sounded not bad.
FTR: Why do you make music? Why not another art form?
Though we are all into lots of other art forms, music is really the most important for us all as individuals and it’s also how we all met. There so much in terms of music to see, and be involved in, in Glasgow. We also enjoy how music lets us get creative in other ways in terms of artwork and making music videos.
FTR: What can people expect from the Hairband live show?
We have played lots this year in Glasgow basement venues, did a short UK stint (Cardiff, Bristol, Brighton and London) and had our biggest one yet the other weekend supporting Sleaford Mods at The Barrowlands, which was a dream come true. We always try and relax and enjoy as much as possible – we’ve managed to get people dancing, at least tapping their toes. Our music is pretty upbeat and danceable though there are also a couple of ballads thrown in.
FTR: What’s next for Hairband?
We’re writing and starting to record an album to follow up on the EP, which we aim to get out next year, hopefully sooner than later. We’d love to play more, as far and wide as possible, and to continue enjoying ourselves!
They Listen To…
1. Kate Bush – All We Ever Look For
2. The Roches – The Train
3. The Replacements – Androgynous
4. Sibylle Baier – Softly
5. Young Fathers – Get Up
Hairband is out now via Monorail Music. Click HERE for more information on Hairband.
For The Rabbits 