Hare Squead breaking from the norm
IT’S hard to stand still when listening to Dublin newcomers Hare Squead, who are infiltrating the air waves and the festival circuit with their distinctively upbeat sound.
Made up of H and Tony, both from Tallaght, and Jessy Rose from Blanchardstown, Hare Squead’s unique sound, which is free from the constraints of any one particular genre, is giving Irish music fans something different to dance about.
Currently working in the studio, the lads are hoping to release a package of music this September alongside a number of show dates.
Band member Jessy Rose took five to speak with The Echo.
How did Hare Squead form?
We are eccentric black people from different places, H and Tony are from Tallaght, and they were friends before they met me. They met me in town in 2013. We all liked to skateboard, listen to [American rapper] Tyler the Creator and eat chicken fillet rolls, and decided to make a band and do this thing to have fun.
Your sound is quite dominating and distinct, what influences it?
What makes our sound so dominating is that we are leaders. We like everything from soul to heavy metal and we want to push the idea that you don’t have to follow the formulaic way of writing. You can wake up one day and decide to do a garage song and then half way through stop and make a folk song, and the people who like us are growing to accept that. The music we have coming will show us pollinating different directions.
If you had to pick one record or artist that you believe has influenced the band the most, what or who would it be and why?
Tyler the Creator, reason being, not for his musical style, but because of his personality and his vision and the way he’s so different and outrageous, he does whatever he wants. Also Pharrell Williams and WB Yeats, and Obama.
What inspires your lyrics?
Our lyrics are inspired by everything the eyes can see and the brain can think of. We get inspired by the existence of life, by colours, visions, scenery.
Not only do you write and produce your own music, you also play it. How important is this to the band?
We’re not just a karaoke pop band, we like to sculpt the sound the way we want it, and if we didn’t have that control and power to mould the music, we wouldn’t be able to fuse all of our different influences into one song.
You lads are generating a good bit of hype at the moment, and your song If I Ask is getting some serious air time, why do you think that is?
Because we’re sort of different to what people would consider Irish music, it’s a bit of change – people like change.
If Hare Squead could grace the stage with any other act or group who would you chose and why?
Outkast, because they’re Outkast.
What’s the plan for the rest of the year?
We’re in the studio recording and we’re doing some finishing touches, and we’re going to release a package of music in September, and then go do some shows in Ireland and beyond.
Follow Hare Squead on Facebook or at www.haresquead.com
