aside

Introducing + Interview: Pushing Hands

Pushing Hands are a band I randomly came across a few weeks ago through their lovely music video for Between Us Now. It’s always a plus when you find a new band who’s songs actually strike a cord.

The recently formed band may only have 3 tracks on their myspace, but I like what I’ve heard so far. Think warm, laid back indie pop. Between Us Now is a slow burner, but then songs like Cold Hands (featured below) shows their more upbeat side. Singer Freddie Webb has got a tone to his voice that stays with you, almost similar to the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club on their more acoustic tracks.

A Clink first, the guys were kind enough to answer a few questions for us about the band and what we can expect to see next.

First up, introduce yourselves please…
We were Freddie (vocals & guitar), Andrew (guitar), Matt (bass) and Kai (drums) but now we are Pushing Hands.

I found it a bit hard to find out info about Pushing Hands online (aside from your myspace) I’m guessing the band is a recently formed, when was your first gig, and how did the band come about?
Freddie: Our first gig was on the 16th of July in Hoxton Square. I have been playing with our drummer Kai for the past 3-4 years. We have always had people joining the band but never felt any real connection, musically or as a friend. I met Matt (our bassist through a friend) when we met I had no Idea he played bass but found out over time. The band he was in had taken a break and he decided to play with us in April. To complete Pushing Hands, Matt’s older brother Andrew joined.

Your music video for “Between Us Now” is by US design studio – I quite like how it’s shot, how did you end up collaborating with them?
Freddie: I run a small design agency called Berth Media, I helped US get some projects. They soon discovered that I also play in a band and liked what they heard. The video was created to extend there portfolio in music video directing and also resulted in us having a free music video : )

If you had to choose a sentence to describe your sound what would it be?
Matt: Relaxed, rhythmic music thats easy on the ears.
Andrew: Pushing Hands’ sound is just a bit of serious fun really
Kai: In my opinion i would say that our sound is original but people can still relate to it. we have songs with different vibes some are warm, others are jumpy and upbeat and others are loud with harsh guitar sounds, so its very eclectic
Freddie: The music is very easy for people to relate to. Its not complicated. Its obvious but at the same time has something else when you look further into it. Its WARM !!

Whats next, are you currently working on tracks or just getting out there and playing gigs?
Freddie: Both, We now need to get some exposure through stuff like this and through shows so people know who we are. We want to create a relationship with the people that listen to our music and repay people by putting on good shows. We are always writing and hopefully working with a very good producer (I can’t say incase it doesn’t work out !) playing gigs is at the top of the list though.
Andrew: We have a couple of gigs lined up in and around London for the next couple of months,the next being Camdem Lock Tavern on the 19th of August, it’s free…come down!

Lastly, The Clink is all about music we’re loving at the moment, what are you currently listening to / anyone that you would recommend?
Matt: I’d recommend vampire weekend – Contra, its like Graceland II and if you’ve never heard them listen to The Bad Plus, they still remain the best band I’ve seen live.
Kai: For me I would recommend Rodrigo y Gabriela they don’t sound like us at all but the are amazing, i also recommend Yo La Tengo and Sonic Youth.
Freddie: I really like Hudson Mohawke. They are similar to Flying Lotus but use harder sounds. I don’t know many bands at the “moment” that I like…If I had to chose I would say my friends band YUCK !
Andrew: At the moment I’ve been going back and listening to a lot of Yo La Tengo and Pavement, and I finally got round to buying the new Vampire Weekend album, I didnt think it would really be my thing, just went on a recommendation and it paid off, I really like it, sounds a lot more grown up than the first album.

MP3: Cold Hands

With alot of writing / recording and gigging ahead, I’m looking forward to seeing what Pushing Hands come up with next…