Toronto post-punk indie darlings Hooded Fang have already put out a couple records and if you know what’s good in the 6ix, then you already know them well (and if you reaaaallllly know your city, you know about their electro-pop side project Phèdre). In 2010 they dropped their sweet debut, aptly titled Album, following up with Tosta Mista in 2011 and then Gravez in 2013, each time growing and evolving as a project.
But their latest album Venus On Edge is a little different from their past records. As guitarist/vocalist Dan Lee told us… “This one took a long time. We recorded the instrumentals and were very happy with them, but there were next to no vocal melodies or ideas. We were just happy listening to the instrumentals.” The band even considered putting the record out as an instrumental piece; “we even entertained the idea of getting a different vocalist just for this record, someone interesting who could lose themselves in the music.” Finally, after a year of touring Hooded Fang sat down and wrote lyrics and vocal parts, “only because we set a deadline to master the album with our friend. We’re glad it’s finished.” Likewise, we at Sidewalk Hustle are happy it’s finished too – as it is, to put it simply, just so amazing.
Venus On Edge is a jittery post-punk reflection on the manic, anxiety charged, digital sphere we can find ourselves caught up in. When we asked them about the driving themes of the record and what inspired them, bassist/vocalist Apes (April Aliermo) elaborated…
“We’re constantly inundated with social and political issues. Its definitely good to think about the world around you and be conscious, but social media has a way of shoving everything in your face at all times. So we’re like, alright, fine, we might as well write them. One song is about our broken electoral system, another about the fleetingness of technology and another about corporate brainwashing. We also have a song about how humans would overreact to an alien visitation. We’re not trying to preach to anyone or add to the plethora of messages constantly being told to everyone. We want people to take the songs in as a whole sound, feeling or experience, and interpret them in their own ways.”
Curious about the album title? As Dan explains…
“Venus On Edge denotes the general feel of the record. It’s coming from a loving place, and there’s lots of love and and good people in the world, but sometimes one can get uneasy with all of the injustice and morally-questionable or ignorant actions that are abound. So Venus is a little apprehensive. She’s trying to stay on the positive side, not let it drag her down.”
When we asked the band how people should listen to their new record, the simply responded, “People should listen to it however they want. Or listen to something else. Listen to music of some kind, it’s good for the brain and body.”
Here here! So go on! Bite into Venus On Edge and find out why we’re gushing.
Venues On Edge is out now via the band’s own Daps Records. Grab a copy of the slick 12″ white vinyl here or grab a copy via iTunes here. You can like them on Facebook + Follow them on Twitter and Instagram. You can (and should) catch Hooded Fang live at the dates below. Trust us, don’t miss.
Tour Dates:
July 27 – Montreal, QC – Bad Lunch +
July 28 – St. John’s, NB – Taco Pica +
July 29 Halifax, NS – Seahorse +
July 30 Sackville, NB – Sappy Fest
August 01 Charlottetown, PEI – Baba’s Lounge +
August 04 Fredericton, NB – Reneu +
August 12 Sudbury, ON – Up Fest
August 19 Ottawa, ON – Arboretum Festival ^
August 20 Toronto, ON – TBA
+ = w/ Bart
^ = w/ Metz, Sloan
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