In this music edition of Hello Honey, we speak to Hinds before their Singapore gig at Kult Kafe, about feminism, spirit animals, and things to do in Madrid
From old-gen riot girls like Bikini Kill and The Runaways, to new-age avant-garde rockers like Savages and Warpaint, the music scene always sits up and listens whenever an all-female band rises to vaunt the spirit of girl power. Latest to the fray, all the way from Madrid, Spain, comes a lo-fi, fun-loving quartet that once endured as a fledging two-piece for years, scepticism from naysayers, and even a legal spat that forced them to change their alias.
Yet despite changing their moniker from Deers, Hinds (we think it rings better!) has still gone on to win the hearts of audiences at Bonnaroo and Glastonbury, with garage-rock face-melters that exude both vintage and summer vibes, buffed up with crusty guitars and duet-dipped vocals. And now, it looks like Singapore’s next on Hinds’ list with a gig slated for next week. We speak to smiley drummer, Amber Grimbergen, on the band’s success so far, travel tips in Madrid, and if feminism’s a driving force for them or not.
Hi Amber! We’ve been listening to y’all since your DEERS days, so we’re gonna start with a fun question. Are your spirit animals truly the deer?
[Laughs] We used to ask this question to each other… but with our spirit fruit! But for animals, I think Ana’s (vocals, guitar) one is a Chihuahua (she absolutely loves chihuahuas), Carlotta (vocals, guitar) should be a butterfly, Ade (bass) a duck, and a sloth for me!
Was it extremely difficult or worrying when y’all had to change your band name?
Yeah… When our manager told us we had to change the name, man, we got stuck for two months just thinking about a new one. We were so worried about people getting confused and stuff… it was horrible. But in the end, it worked! We love Hinds!
We love it too! HINDS was a duo between Carlotta and Garcia before becoming the full-blown band that it is today. Were y’all making music together for a long time before this concept was formed?
Well, the band started four years ago or so, with Ana and Carlotta. They went to the South Coast in Spain on a holiday trip with two guitars and started to play covers. There, they fell in love with the sensation of playing an instrument and out popped the idea of forming a band, but nothing too serious then. It was only until two years ago when we played our first-ever gig together as a four-piece, though none of us had really played in a band before.
Aside from music, what are some hidden talents that each of you have?
Carlotta makes really good videos, and she edits them too; Ade makes the best rice salad in the entire world; Ana used to surf; and I don’t know if this counts as a talent, but I really like photography… Oh! I used to skate too!
If we were to travel to Madrid, what is a) one sight we have to see, b) one food we should try and where we can get it, and c) one bar we should go to for drinks?
You should definitely spend your nights drinking beer in Plaza del Dos de Mayo, especially in the summer when everyone is on the streets and the ambience is at its best. For food, I can’t really choose just one thing! There’s this one place called Sidi that we used to go to very often; you can try tortillas, croquetas and the best tapas! I think it’s also one of the best places for beers too, but if you want more of a party vibe, La Via Lactea is definitely the one you have to go to.
We’ve been to Europe a couple of times, but haven’t had the pleasure of visiting the Madrid music scene yet. What are the good and bad things about the underground scene in Madrid?
The good thing is that there are a lot of bands coming out now and there’s a very cool vibe. There’re shows every weekend, and everybody knows each other and helps each other; we’re like a big team! But it’s very complicated for a band (especially if you’re talking about the underground scene) to go out and get noticed; it’s like the press won’t trust you if you’re “new to the game”. But people have been working very hard, and so many bands are playing out of Spain now – that’s the best!
A huge lot of our readers are female, so naturally, you ladies are an inspiring bunch being an all-girl rock band in a seemingly male-dominated industry. Do y’all ever keep that in mind? Are y’all fierce ambassadors of girl power?
At the beginning, when Hinds first started, none of us was really a feminist person or something like that. But we started to realise that there was clearly a difference between males and females in the music industry, and it’s something that’s been very present in our minds now. [Laughs] So yeah! Go pussies!!
What is your advice to female musicians who wanna tour around the world and make it in the industry like you ladies?
Just keep doing what you want, never stop, and be strong, ladies!
Who were some female rockin’ role models you had growing up?
When we all were younger, we were very much into Spice Girls and Britney Spears. But we actually haven’t had a female rocker role model; we’ve tried to find one, but couldn’t.
Have any of y’all ever been to Singapore? We know that you ladies have played in Southeast Asia before like Thailand!
Ana has been to Singapore on holiday like, six years ago or something. But none of us others have, so it’s exciting!
And finally, what is the main message that you want listeners to take away from your music?
Do what you want, the way you want. And keep on rocking in the free world!
Songs for Children present Hinds Live in Singapore, 11 May, 7.30pm, Kult Kafe, Emily Hill, 11 Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228120, p. 9389 2185. Tickets available at $35 (advance) and $40 (at door) from this website.