We Say…
Non-binary alt-rockers Bitch Hunt formed back in 2017 as part of the increasingly legendary First Times Fest at DIY Space for London. The band reached new audiences back at the start of 2020 when they teamed up with fellow London DIY-band Adults to release a split release via For The Sake Of Tapes. Now working with the Reckless Yep imprint, the band recently shared their debut EP, Shapeshifter.
Discussing the inspiration behind Shapeshifter, Bitch Hunt have suggested the record, “explores the difficult journeys that someone has to go through to navigate a cisheteronormative world”. A record of both light and shade, Shapeshifter finds Bitch Hunt in a triumphant place, meeting every heartbreak with a dose of fun, every struggle with a reminder of the power of friendship. Musically, the record finds the band borrowing liberally from the great and good of alternative music’s past, Eau Claire nods to the lo-fi charms of Babes In Toyland, while the sing-speak vocals of I Wanna Be Un/Happy bring to mind Life Without Buildings. Perhaps best of all is the opening track Out Of Eden, a tale of abuse, queerness and redemption, that pairs a light and melodic guitar line with a disarmingly swampy bass line and intense pattering drum beat. At a time when maintaining community and any sort of collective music scene has been difficult, Bitch Hunt serve as a reminder of the power music has: celebrate with Shapeshifter, a knowingly anarchic ode to going your own way.
They Say…
FTR: For those who don’t know who are Bitch Hunt?
Bitch Hunt are a queer indie/punk band from London. We like long walks on the beach, dogs, and smashing the cis-tem. Our music varies from pop punk to bluesy alt-rock with a bit of country thrown in.
For the Sake of Tapes released our first singles (‘Spaceman’ and ‘23’) on a split with adults in 2020, and this spring we released our first EP ‘Shapeshifter’ on Reckless Yes records.
FTR: What can you remember about your first show?
Our first show was at First Timers Festival in 2017 at DIY Space for London. Sadly DIY Space lost its venue in the pandemic and had to close which is a huge loss -it was super welcoming, we played most of our shows there and it’s where we met so many great people and bands!
First Timers Festival is an annual series of workshops that ends in a weekend gig where every band plays its first show. Sophia, Erin, and Rosie had never played in a band before and Sian had never sung on stage. It was scary, but also a supportive environment. Life stuff got in the way and we didn’t play our second show until exactly a year later, when we started putting on some of our own!
FTR: Why do you make music? Why not another art form?
It feels powerful as trans people to bring our individual styles and experiences and sounds and rattle them around in a rehearsal room for a few hours. It’s cool when people relate to what comes out the other side!
FTR: What can people expect from the Bitch Hunt live show?
Seeing as we haven’t played live for 1.5 years probably four nervy queers having a great time! We are looking forward to playing live so much -our release show for our split with adults was meant to be in March 2020 so obviously we cancelled and we still haven’t played it, but we don’t have any live shows lined up for now.
It’s easy to get FOMO watching all the cool gigs other people are booking, but everyone has different covid-comfort levels, and I know lots of other people aren’t playing live yet either, it’s just less visible when people are not-doing-stuff. If you are reading this take it as a sign to be ok with not-doing-stuff.
FTR: What’s next for Bitch Hunt?
A big goal is to write, record and release our first album! But mostly to keep having a good time with it 🙂
They Listen To…
Winaretta- Impossible
Adults- Filling Up The Feelings
Th’Sheridans- I Dont Wanna Be Dismembered
BYENARY- We Are The Crystal Gems
Screaming Toenail- Define and Conquer
Shapeshifter is out now via Reckless Yes. For more information on Bitch Hunt visit https://bitchhunt.bandcamp.com/.
For The Rabbits 