Those Goddamn Hippies is the honest and truthful band we were waiting for. With deep and personal lyrics, mixed with rock and electronic sounds, they sure know how to set us in a beautiful melancholic mood for the winter.
A few days ago, they released a new song “Noise” and we took some time to ask them a few questions about it.
indieberlin: Tell us something about yourself that you always wanted to say but no one has ever asked you yet.
Tom: Im fine, thanks for asking!
indieberlin: How does the songwriting process work for you / in your band?
Mike: It’s a combination of locking yourself in to get an idea where you’re ready to share it with others, and then working together to finish the song. The dynamic of inspiring each other plays an important role. This is how things are created that would never happen on their own. Generally, it is all about inspiration. We were lucky enough to have Jonathon Mooney from the band ‘Other Lives’ producing the whole record. This collaboration really took things to the next level for us!
When I was about 15 a girl at school said to me ‘you would actually be quite f*ckable if you weren’t such a hippy’
Those Goddamn Hippies- Jannis Gonis
indieberlin: Tell us a secret about yourself.
Tom: on my first ever day of school I didn’t know that I was allowed to ask to use the bathroom. Nature came calling, and I just shit myself. Not many people know that, for obvious reasons.
indieberlin: What music do you listen to when you’re touring?
Tom: well, this is a bit of a touchy subject in the tour van to be honest!
Mike: yeah, if you try and skip someones favourite song you could end up losing a finger! But there of course are some classics: Son Lux, Bon Iver, Punch Brothers, Other Lives, Anderson .Paak. Its an eclectic mix 🙂
indieberlin: What was your biggest stage fuck-up?
Tom: I was in Prague playing drums for a band that I used to be in. I stood up to get the crowd clapping. When I sat back down I completely missed the drum stool and fell backwards off the drum riser. I was pretty legless to be honest.
Mike: Haha, not cool.
indieberlin: What was the nicest compliment you once got?
Tom: When I was about 15 a girl at school said to me ‘you would actually be quite f*ckable if you weren’t such a hippy’. Honestly one of my proudest moments.
indieberlin: How do you feel about covering a song?
Mike: It is always good to get out of your comfort zone and take on someone else work. It is freeing in a way, because the song is already written, but on the other hand the pressure is really on to nail the vibe and make it your own.
indieberlin: Do you prefer to play big festivals / stages or smaller club gigs?
Mike: You cant beat a packed sweaty club gig, but the catering at festivals is usually better.
indieberlin: In ten years you look back to today and think:
Tom: Man, I had a lot of hair!
Those Goddamn Hippies will be playing a show on the 13.05 at Privatclub Berlin and we could not be more excited. Don’t forget to write to win(a)indieberlin.de to get your pair of free tickets !
Also, listen to Noise and go check them out on Facebook and Youtube.
