Behind The Garage Scene: An Interview with Hinds

Having only formed in early 2011, the Madrid-based garage-pop quartet Hinds have made a huge dent in the indie rock scene. After only just releasing their debut album ‘Leave Me Alone’, we’re filled with genuine excitement, energy, sweetness and some good old garage. Band member Carlotta took some time out form all of the hype to talk to KALTBLUT about the album, the tour, fanboys, fangirls and simply having fun. 

KALTBLUT: Hey Carlotta, thanks for taking the time to talk to us! How are you?
Carlotta:
Good!! But we feel like we’re in hangover land. Because yesterday we partied so bad, we’ve slept for 2 hours or something. Then we drove all the way up here and it was like 7 hours or something, but luckily we got some sleep while driving. We didn’t even had time to shower, so it’s been a rock ‘n roll day.

KALTBLUT: How did you all meet each other and how long have you guys been together?
Carlotta:
I know Ana the longest. We met 7 years ago through music, ex-boyfriends and other stuff. Then we met Amber and the three of us became best friends, just like sisters. When Ana and I started the band we asked Amber and Ade to join us.

KALTBLUT: At first your name was Deers, what happened?
Carlotta:
Well that’s kind of a sad story. We were threatened to be sued by a Canadian band because we had a name which created confusion with their name. They were so different from us but they just forced us to change the name.

SCN_0218_KALTBLUT IMG_0246_1_KALTBLUT

KALTBLUT: Tell us about the music scene over in Madrid
Carlotta:
The music scene that we know is the garage scene because that’s the one we like. It’s small but we feel powerful. There are bands like Los Nastys and The Parrots. They’ve been like our big brothers. But it’s really cool! You can go to gigs every weekend.

KALTBLUT: What is the most important event in the bands history?
Carlotta:
I don’t really know but I think the way we’ve grown up. Every step, every event was necessary for the next one. If you skip one of them it’s not gonna work. But I would say Glastonbury was one of the highlights. It was making history, never ever had there been a band from Spain who were asked to play on the main stage! It felt so good.

KALTBLUT: How happy are you guys with your new album?
Carlotta:
I love it! We’ve really done a good job I think. I am really happy with the result.

KALTBLUT: And what is your favorite song from the new album?
Carlotta:
It changes, but I really love “Garden”, “I’ll Be Your Man” and I really love the ballet one, “And I Will Send Your Flowers Back.” But I love them all to be honest.

KALTBLUT: Who or what is your inspiration?
Carlotta:
We get our inspiration everywhere from our friends, other bands, supporting bands, people who come to our show, my mom , my brother and even from a stranger. We are good observers so we even pay attention to the little details and try to catch every little thing we like about the world. We use it in our music and in our life. We’re at a magical position.

KALTBLUT: What is most rewarding of being in a young new girl band and dropping your first album?
Carlotta:
It feels so good. I am very proud of the precision that we’re reaching. We’re doing exactly what we want and we have that freedom. It’s great that people like the way we do things like we do. I think that’s pretty cool for the music scene in general. Getting there with what we have.

IMG_0282_1_KALTBLUT

KALTBLUT: Are you guys already making plans for the next album?
Carlotta:
Yes! We have two ideas for songs that are pretty pretty cool and we blocked some dates of the year 2016 because it’s crazy about touring for us and we also want to work on the new album.

KALTBLUT: What is your favorite city, venue or festival to play?
Carlotta:
We love house parties. We’ve been on the other side of the stage for so many years being just music lovers. So being on stage is like… you look at the people and think wow I really understand you, I’ve been you for years. So we love the house party’s when there is no stage and everybody is on the same level where every one is equal. Where it’s not like, “Wow, Hinds”. But just a big party with music.

KALTBLUT: Do you have more fanboys or fangirls?
Carlotta:
It’s pretty equal but in the Facebook statistics there are more fanboys.

KALTBLUT: What animal would you be if you couldn’t be a Hind?
Carlotta:
Hmm difficult… I would be a female lion.

KALTBLUT: Any tips for starting girl bands?
Carlotta:
I think just start a band exactly like if you would be a boy! It may sound like a crazy tip, because it’s obvious! You shouldn’t even have to consider. Don’t be ashamed or something: Just do your band!

Leave Me Alone is out now on Mom + Pop Music / Burger Records
hinds-leave-me-alone

Contact
Tumblr
Twitter
Website
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
SoundCloud

Photography by Lauren Raaijmakers