We're already at the last quarter of the year and it’s starting to get really chilly here. But probably this is because I’m sitting in a fully air-conditioned room during a huge rain, plus the fact that Indonesia’s climate is almost entirely tropical makes it impossible for winter to ever happen here. Anyways! Other parts of the world seem to be going through fall, so I would love to bring summer back to you guys. No, I’m not talking about time travel or resetting the world’s climate and what not. I’m talking about How Sad, the synth pop indie band from Montreal.
How Sad started out recording in their very own bedrooms but quickly morphed into a band playing hook-laden synth pop tailored towards live performance (as written in their Facebook Page). When I first heard their single, Indian Summer, I felt as if I was back on a beach, sipping ice cold strawberry lemonade, whisking all my troubles away while drowning in a ray of sunshine. According to TheWildHoneyPie.com, “Indian Summer” is still whimsical in its reflectiveness, going back and forth between falsetto, anthem-like chanting, and the lower, main melody of singer Harris Gilbertshper. Its drums are heavy but not oppressive, maintaining the lightheartedness that the band portrays so well.
The band has just finished touring New York City playing CMJ and has been so kind in answering the questions we've emailed them. So without further ado, here is Felice Magazine’s interview with How Sad’s vocalist Harris Gilbertshper!
1. Tell us anything about you guys!
3/4 of us are originally from Vermont but we all live in Montreal now
2. How did you come up with the name How Sad?
It was a name that sort of spoke to us while trying to tackle some of the more upbeat sounds we create mixed with the darker images in the lyrics. It's sort of funny and serious at the same time.
3. How much time did you guys spend working on your EP?
It was a process mostly done in my bedroom that kind of came to form the EP. The original songs were mostly recorded in a day or two each and then we worked on them for a couple months in various settings.
4. If you could work with any musician who would it be?
Right now I really love Dave Siteks (TV on the Radio) production work, so it would be amazing to work with him one day!
5. Do you guys have a tight practice schedule?
Right now we've been practicing and playing a lot, so as much as we can while still working jobs and paying rent.
6. What's the greatest thing that has happened so far to How Sad?
Opening for Portugal. The Man at Pop Montreal was such an amazing experience, definitely at the top of the list!
7. Tell us your favourite song to work out to. We would love to feature your pick in our upcoming workout playlist!
Iggy Azalea - Work
8. What does music mean to you guys?
A reason to wake up in the morning. Pretty much everything.
9. Who's your musical influence?
Too many to name really, heavily influenced by old Bowie and T. Rex but also newer artists like Twin Shadow and tons of Montreal artists as well - Land of Talk, Sunset Rubdown, Think About Life.
10. If you could play a gig anywhere in the world where would it be?
Somewhere beautiful where we've never been before.
11. Would you stick to one genre?
Hopefully not, we'll see!
12. What's the inspiration behind the song, Indian Summer?
It was a song written about trying to find a light at the end of the tunnel even though you don't actually believe you're going to. Struggling to make sense of a bad situation by masking all your current emotions with ones that you might have once had. It is cheery sounding, so I don't mean to rain on that parade because hopefully everyone can take their own meaning from it, but it was written from a place of confusion and sadness.
13. What's the best thing about being in a band?
Playing music in front of people who enjoy it. The energy from a crowd. Seeing new places and hearing new music and meeting new people.
3/4 of us are originally from Vermont but we all live in Montreal now
2. How did you come up with the name How Sad?
It was a name that sort of spoke to us while trying to tackle some of the more upbeat sounds we create mixed with the darker images in the lyrics. It's sort of funny and serious at the same time.
3. How much time did you guys spend working on your EP?
It was a process mostly done in my bedroom that kind of came to form the EP. The original songs were mostly recorded in a day or two each and then we worked on them for a couple months in various settings.
4. If you could work with any musician who would it be?
Right now I really love Dave Siteks (TV on the Radio) production work, so it would be amazing to work with him one day!
5. Do you guys have a tight practice schedule?
Right now we've been practicing and playing a lot, so as much as we can while still working jobs and paying rent.
6. What's the greatest thing that has happened so far to How Sad?
Opening for Portugal. The Man at Pop Montreal was such an amazing experience, definitely at the top of the list!
7. Tell us your favourite song to work out to. We would love to feature your pick in our upcoming workout playlist!
Iggy Azalea - Work
8. What does music mean to you guys?
A reason to wake up in the morning. Pretty much everything.
9. Who's your musical influence?
Too many to name really, heavily influenced by old Bowie and T. Rex but also newer artists like Twin Shadow and tons of Montreal artists as well - Land of Talk, Sunset Rubdown, Think About Life.
10. If you could play a gig anywhere in the world where would it be?
Somewhere beautiful where we've never been before.
11. Would you stick to one genre?
Hopefully not, we'll see!
12. What's the inspiration behind the song, Indian Summer?
It was a song written about trying to find a light at the end of the tunnel even though you don't actually believe you're going to. Struggling to make sense of a bad situation by masking all your current emotions with ones that you might have once had. It is cheery sounding, so I don't mean to rain on that parade because hopefully everyone can take their own meaning from it, but it was written from a place of confusion and sadness.
13. What's the best thing about being in a band?
Playing music in front of people who enjoy it. The energy from a crowd. Seeing new places and hearing new music and meeting new people.
Last but not least, don't forget to take a piece of summer with you by clicking on the picture below!