A song that made you want to make music?
Jim: Mine wasn’t really a song, it was after I’d finished my GSCE’s and a bunch of us went to Leeds Fest. I knew after watching bands having a laugh with their mates, playing sick shows and crowds buzzing off their songs, that was a bit me.
Best rider you’ve had?
Han: Multiple bottles of vodka and whiskey n enough water to nearly drown Deller.
Craziest moment you’ve experienced in the band?
Jim: I think we’re still in the crazy moment. Han and I have been sat on a bunch of songs for a year before we released Awful Ever After. Now it’s out is crazy how quick things are moving for us! So stoked though!
Deepest lyrics one of your songs features?
Han: oh god gonna sound like a lame piece of shit here aren’t I cheers
Ermmmmmm, the guess the whole of nightmares is pretty deep as it’s about feeling pretty disconnected from yourself and like not really finding any colour left in life. Uh oh.
Easiest song you wrote?
Jim: Take Your Jacket was defo the easiest. It only took a really boring day at work, a bottle of wine and an acoustic guitar for us to write the song in less than an hour.
Favourite song in your set?
Han: CANDY COATED LIES CANDY COATED LIES
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
Jim: I’d love to do a collab with someone like Billie Eilish or No Rome. Something to break the confinements of genre stereotypes.
Hardest thing about being in a band?
Han: Finding somewhere to poop that is not within 5 metres of everyone else.
Interesting fact about one of your members?
Jim: Han can do a disturbingly good impression of a crying baby. It’s both terrifying and hilarious.
Jokes you have in the band?
Han: I am the biggest joke in the band.
Key to writing a song?
Jim: Not thinking too hard and putting yourself in a box. Have a focus, be it a subject or a feeling, explore every idea to its full potential and have fun!
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
Han: Oslo I think? And what a show it was! Sweaty one that.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
Jim: I’ve seen Dermot Kennedy live a good few times and his show blows me away every time. The amount of passion that comes from his songs and voice, man. Chilling.
New band you’d recommend?
Han: Hot Milk…. orrrr Bearings we are all into at the moment. Jamming that record v hard.
Opening for this band would be ideal?
Jim: The 1975 would be cool. I’ve always admired their live productions and performances.
Place you’d most like to tour?
Han: We can’t wait to get out to the US/Asia. But I think somewhere with sun right now would be nice, it makes for a better headspace for everyone when sky is blue.
Quote you’d like to pass on to our readers?
Jim: Here for a good time, not for a long time.
Reason for the title of your recent/forthcoming release?
Han: the EP is called “Are You Feeling Alive?” And it’s about not really feeling very present in life or like you are actually living. For me I felt like I was waiting for something to make me feel content for a long time, and that thing was this band. It essentially marks the process of Hot Milk becoming a thing through the songs and each track really helped me get to where we are right now.
See us live at?
Jim: Playing a bunch of fezzys this summer. Announced onto Live at Leeds, Stag & Dagger and The Great Escape so far but more to come for sure!
The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
Han: What a weird question, music is soundwaves. Music is whatever you want it to be and it is so so personal and I don’t think you can say anything about anyone’s taste in music as everyone has something that hits them in a different way. Things ebb and flow with time as does music, I think it’s pretty shor tsighted to think anything from the past is better than it is now. What is better? More catchy? Better vocals? Faster tempo? What are the RULES? There are none.
Unusual merchandise?
Jim: We’ve currently only got tee’s and long sleeves, but a lot of my mates are having kids and asking for Hot Milk baby grows….
Variations you’d like to do on any of your records?
Han: Any and all. All up for any manipulation of anything we ever do.
What do your fans mean to you?
Jim: Everything. Bands would be nothing without their fans.
X-rays or any treatments needed for band related injuries?
Han: Yeah Deller has a sore wrist that he needs physio for, it’s from drumming too much honestly…. 😉
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
Jim: Hannah for sure. I find it’s easy to blame most things on Han, hehe.
Zoo animal that best describes the personality of your band?
Han: Kangaroo coz we like to jump around but we have no qualms about punching you in the face if we need to.