Jacob Hoggard speaks to FemaleFirst about HedleyAfter huge success in their native Canada, Hedley are hoping to emulate that in the UK with their British debut.
FemaleFirst caught up with frontman Jacob Hoggard ahead of the release to chat all things Hedley, whether we should expect some live dates and the experience of filming such an eccentric music video.
How did the members of Hedley all meet and form the band following the disbandment of the original line-up?
Vancouver is a great music scene and always has been. Everybody kind of knows everybody and we all go out to each other's shows.
Dave and I were old friends and him, Tom and Chris all played in a metal band and were at the time looking for a new singer while I was looking for a new band. We got together, had some beers and started writing, right out of the gate. The chemistry was as tasty as the beers.
When did you realise that music was a career you wanted to chase?
I think I always wanted to be in a rock and roll band, maybe the same way I wanted to play in the World Cup but never the less, knew I wanted it.
I started playing piano when I was five and taught myself the electric guitar by taking off the three big strings and learning half chords. (I don’t always cut corners but when I do, it’s awesome!)
Music has always been my primary preference of expression. It always gave me a better way to say things. Presented with the opportunity to do what I believed I loved for a living was always a no-brainer.
You've been in the industry now for a decade, how much do you think has changed in that time?
Loads has changed, you might say it's ever-evolving – an important perception that I feel has always kept us on our toes, wanting more and constantly pushing ourselves to be inspired. The drive to stay inspired is a great way to keep the sad and sorry state of ‘the industry’ off the radar and on to the next.
Would you say you've evolved as an artist in your years active?
I’d most certainly say I’ve progressed and grown over the years. I’ve always believed there’s more to learn. Adaptability, for myself is a fundamental key to survival, whether it's pushing myself musically or cultivating the effort to dig deep for inspiration. The world is always changing, rivers' currents are always moving, go with the flow.
What do you note as some of your favourite moments in your career to-date?
We played a very special show this album cycle to promote the release of our new album 'Wild Life'.
We branded it “the quietest concert ever”, brought 3,000 contest winners into the middle of the mountains in Banff National Park in British Columbia Canada, and with our partners in technological crime, Sennheiser we provided the entire crowd with wireless headphones and played with no speakers on the stage.
We played our entire brand new album front to back for the very first time under the stars in the mountains, in otherwise complete silence.
If you put the headphones on however there was a complete rock show going on. At one point I took my earbuds out and listened to an incredible crowd sing one of my songs – with no other sound - at the top of their lungs in the middle of the mountains under the stars.
You're releasing 'Wild Life' here in the UK as your UK debut, what should first-time listeners expect from this record?
Expect everything - our ADD has mostly worked to our disadvantage in life but every once in a while it helps us a little farther along the path of creativity as we can hardly sit still - never mind using the same guitar sound on more than two songs on a record.
We’ve always loved the diversity of music and loved the idea that musical inspiration comes from everywhere, so we always let it inspire us the way it does and follow those paths down many different ways.
A lot of people pigeon hole themselves by defining their sound as one genre or the next, we’ve always loved keeping the runway wide open.
What was it about 'Anything' that made you decide to release it as a lead single?
I was so excited when it first popped in my head and to articulate that into a tangible musical format made me even more of a believer in the message that fits so well with it. It really represents the influences I used to produce it as well.
The music video for 'Anything' looks like it was a lot of fun to film - how did you find that experience?
I’m still trying to put back the pieces, unfortunately the party dragged on for a few more weeks and I still can’t remember where I left my pants.
What was it like performing at London's 100 Club on May 28?
It was such a nostalgic moment. A venue with so much history in a city with an equally - if not greater amount of lore. It’s always such a great honour to be in a place and city that is such a part of musical history.
Do you or any of the band members have any strange pre-show rituals or routines?
Our stage shows are very energetic, so we mostly just have a few beers and joke around and get stoked. I listen to music really loud and normally start being a pain in everyone’s ass leading up to stage call. Playing live always gets my blood going.
Do you get nervous before hitting the stage?
I always get butterflies, it’s a feeling I hope never goes away, as if it was gone, I’d imagine I’d have to quit doing this and find something else to thrill me. It’s those moments every night that reminds us we’re being present and honest and passionate.
Should UK fans expect a tour or some live dates?
MOS DEF. We’re ripping back to North America for summer festival season then down to Australia and New Zealand for a tour, then we’re looking forward to coming straight back to Europe and 'mucking about proper like'.
What do you have in the pipeline that we should keep an eye out for in future months?
If we’re not touring, we’re in the studio writing, and if we’re not doing either of those, we’re probably having lunch. So... expect a tour themed brunch infused collection of new works very shortly.
Hedley's UK debut single 'Anything' is to be released June 30. Album 'Wild Life' drops a week later on July 7.