Hands, an indie rock/dance/pop band out of Los Angeles, recently finished a U.S. tour to support their debut LP, Synesthesia. The group's Ryan Sweeney took the time to talk to Mapanare about the band’s music, live show and other odds and ends about the band. One of the first things we chatted about was comparisons to other bands (inevitable for any group). In Hands' case Hot Chip and Cut Copy are among the bands that come up.
"We feel great about those comparisons! Those bands are rad and have amazing careers," says Sweeney.
Sweeney was even offered a chance to dump on reviewers (a fairly easy thing to do these days). He wouldn't take it.
"I don't want to strangle anyone who writes reviews." he says.
Comparisons to successful bands are, of course, nice but what about what makes Hands unique. How do Sweeney and the band differentiate themselves as a group?
"We try to put as much emphasis as we can on staying true to our personalities and bringing it in to our music in as unique a way as possible," he says. "I still feel like we are growing into our own musical minds in a lot of ways but the journey towards finding our voice as a band is definitely punctuated by trying to sound different in a pleasant way."
"We feel great about those comparisons! Those bands are rad and have amazing careers," says Sweeney.
Sweeney was even offered a chance to dump on reviewers (a fairly easy thing to do these days). He wouldn't take it.
"I don't want to strangle anyone who writes reviews." he says.
Comparisons to successful bands are, of course, nice but what about what makes Hands unique. How do Sweeney and the band differentiate themselves as a group?
"We try to put as much emphasis as we can on staying true to our personalities and bringing it in to our music in as unique a way as possible," he says. "I still feel like we are growing into our own musical minds in a lot of ways but the journey towards finding our voice as a band is definitely punctuated by trying to sound different in a pleasant way."
Synesthesia out now on Kill Rock Stars
Like many bands that mix electronic elements with indie rock (ish) music Hands music is a different story live from in the studio. They are as much a band to see live as they are a band you want to listen to on headphones while chair dancing at the office.
"Our songs definitely have a different feel and energy when played live," says Sweeney. "We all like to dance around on stage and our drummer really spices things up. If I could, I'd just watch him and leave my guitar on the ground or something."
The band recently finished up a tour of the USA. Generally there is good and bad on tour; it is fun to play but then you have to sit in a van full of guys you've sat in a van with for weeks. Sweeney is a more positive sort of person. He sees the touring glass as half full.
"The best part of tour is getting to interact with all the people involved. Other bands, crew, fans, radio, bloggers, etc.," he says. "It is amazing when you get to experience the world of music in the real world and not on the internet. I love touring.I really can't think of a worst part. Oh wait, yea I can, speeding tickets."
They must have played in Kentucky.
The band is originally from Philadelphia but they moved out to Los Angeles. There were multiple reasons for the move but none of them were about Hollywood superstardom--it was about school.
"Geoff (Halliday) went to study recording and I learned to build guitars. I actually play the first guitar I ever built at all the Hands shows," he says. "When I was living in Philadelphia I was in school for graphic design and, I don't know, moving to California made me realize that music is what makes me happy. I guess you could say that the move created the career!"
After the tour (which ended in February) the band has begun working on writing songs for a new record. Keep an eye out for more from Hands soon.
"Our songs definitely have a different feel and energy when played live," says Sweeney. "We all like to dance around on stage and our drummer really spices things up. If I could, I'd just watch him and leave my guitar on the ground or something."
The band recently finished up a tour of the USA. Generally there is good and bad on tour; it is fun to play but then you have to sit in a van full of guys you've sat in a van with for weeks. Sweeney is a more positive sort of person. He sees the touring glass as half full.
"The best part of tour is getting to interact with all the people involved. Other bands, crew, fans, radio, bloggers, etc.," he says. "It is amazing when you get to experience the world of music in the real world and not on the internet. I love touring.I really can't think of a worst part. Oh wait, yea I can, speeding tickets."
They must have played in Kentucky.
The band is originally from Philadelphia but they moved out to Los Angeles. There were multiple reasons for the move but none of them were about Hollywood superstardom--it was about school.
"Geoff (Halliday) went to study recording and I learned to build guitars. I actually play the first guitar I ever built at all the Hands shows," he says. "When I was living in Philadelphia I was in school for graphic design and, I don't know, moving to California made me realize that music is what makes me happy. I guess you could say that the move created the career!"
After the tour (which ended in February) the band has begun working on writing songs for a new record. Keep an eye out for more from Hands soon.
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