DeadJournalist.com Exclusive Interviews
Hail Social

EXCLUSIVE Interview: Hail Social
Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com
05.15.07/06.19.07

MP3 - Hail Social - Heaven
MP3 - Hail Social - Warning Sign

What you need to know about Hail Social:

- The band is based out of Philadelphia;
- The band's debut LP Hail Social was released in 2005;
- The single "Hands Are Tied" was a indie-dance staple in '05/'06; and
- The band, Dayve Hawk, Matt Maraldo, Dan Henry, Richie Roxas and Avir Mitra, released their latest album, Modern Love and Death, in March 2007.

For more information of Hail Social, visit their Web site at www.hailsocial.com or their MySpace.com page at www.myspace.com/hailsocial.

DeadJournalist.com brings you this exclusive with Dayve Hawk from Hail Social.

How did the band form?

DH: In 2001, I met Matt - our drummer - at the grocery store we both worked at. He was frustrated with the band he was in, I was frustrated trying to build a home studio and he approached me about starting something new together. I had never played in a band and wasn't really into the idea but he eventually convinced me to try.

Did the band evolve between 2005's Hail Social and the recently released Modern Love and Death?

DH: Absolutely. Our first record wasn't the kind of record any of us would actually listen to. I think we were just trying to exist and that's as far as it went. I was writing songs so we had songs to play ... I was just trying to make the situation I found myself in work.

The new record is music that I wrote for myself and my friends, none of us actually thought we'd make another Hail Social record. Basically once we gave up on the band we realised what we actually wanted to do with it.

How long did it take to record the new album? Was there an overriding influence behind it?

DH: The final album was recorded in two weeks, I had already written everything and recorded demos at home some time before so it was fairly painless to do. There was no direct musical influence, we just did what we liked at the time.

What has been the fan reaction to the new album been thus far?

DH: Mixed. I've had a lot of positive feedback but there are some people who are confused by the difference from our first record. I grew up listening to The Beatles and David Bowie so i've never understood people's desire to have a band maintain one sort of sound. The same joke isn't funny twice.

When someone comes to see Hail Social perform live, what should they expect?

DH: Our records are fairly slick i think, so i guess it's a chance to see us in much more raw form.

Which do you enjoy more, performing live or writing and recording?

DH: Writing and recording for sure. The level that we're at, playing live is more about proving yourself than anything. You're faced with a large amount of cynicism. Writing and recording is hard work but you're existing on your own terms.

The most bizarre thing that has happened to the band while on tour is ... ?

DH: We weren't allowed into Canada because we had American T-Shirts so we had to sneak across the border during the Interpol tour.

Who was your first concert?

DH: Err.....Hail Social. I don't go to shows.

What artists have influenced you the most throughout your career?

DH: The Beatles, David Bowie, Pixies, Aphex Twin, Black Sabbath, Kate Bush, Daft Punk, Boards Of Canada.

What were you listening to in 1997?

DH: My Bloody Valentine, Cocteu Twins, Rollerskate Skinny

One Drink, One Movie, One Album:

DH: Gin & Tonic, Terminator, Ziggy Stardust