In 2012 Cold Hiker’s unique, hard-hitting sound saw them support the likes of British India, Custom Kings, and Stonefield. Drawing inspiration from eminent artists such as Jeff Buckley, The Black Keys, and Parades, their sound is described as a concoction of powerful vocal lines, distinctive chord progressions, and intricate bass arrangements.
They released their debut EP to a sold out show at The Toff in Town, receiving considerable attention locally (including a great write-up from Tone Deaf), as well as some international blog love.
2013 sees the youthful four piece release a brand new single recorded over the summer in a home studio with Melbourne’s I’lls. The track, entitled “Tolchocked” takes a slightly new direction – combining electronic looped samples with live instruments, adding a new level of depth and rhythm to the overall sound.
Tone Deaf: What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
Miller Upchurch: For me, I first remember performing in primary school at the end of year concert, but that was just because I loved to sing. In year 9 of high school I started taking the singing more seriously and became primarily inspired by Anthony Kiedis and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What and where was the first gig you went to?
I was whisked away on a wily whim by a friend of my parents to see Split Enz at Rod Laver Arena.
Your latest single ‘Tolchocked’ stretches the sound presented on your self-titled EP in new directions? Can you talk about what led to the electronic influence?
I can only describe it as finding the perfect groove on the couch; we’re just more comfortable with this sound. Our self titled EP we feel was a tad angsty, and this new direction is like a good wine, better with age.
Can you tell us what ‘Tolchocked’ refers to? Or better yet, what’s the mood you’re trying to create with it
‘Tolchocked’ is a word taken from the dystopian novella A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. The whole story behind ‘Tolchocked’ can be related back to the book and to the film adaption of the book.
Simon Lam of I’lls produced the track, how did you get to collaborate? What is about his work and his style that thought would work for Cold Hiker?
Cold Hiker had a band-crush on I’lls since before we were lucky enough to play with the lovely lads for our EP launch last year, just to see the love grow even stronger. Simon [Lam] and all the I’lls-es put in so much emotion into their songs, and we picked up on that, on top of their music just being generally fantastic, and smart. We like smart.
Aside from I’lls, what are some other Aussie bands that are exciting you at the moment?
So many band/artist-crushes going on right now! Cold Hiker are all about Hiatus Kiayote, Ainslie Wills, and Mansion Alaska – just to name a few.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
It’d be hard not to say Russell Crowe at this point in his career. No, in all seriousness we’re as much in awe of Mr Chet Faker as everyone else, so he’d be up there. If we can slip Opossom in this answer as well that’d be perfect, but lead singer Kody Nielson IS in fact from New Zealand. Music is universal man, let it happen.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
Any and every Tim Burton movie, any and every Johnny Depp movie, and all of Sacha Baron Cohen’s movies.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now? And how do you find new music?
Personally I have been listening to the very well received Frank Ocean (as we all have, really). Also Mr Abel Tesfaye, more commonly known as The Weeknd. One more? One more; Yellow Ostrich have made their way into the iPod.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
Just the stink of the venue and our instruments, accompanied by a brew or two just to loosen up, in stark contrast to our old cover song ‘Tighten Up’ by The Black Keys.
If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have (attractions/food/bars etc)?
Make it a street party like set up, let’s say New York. From Tom Waits to Arctic Monkeys to Baths to R. Kelly, Sigur Ros, Grizzly Bear, Paul McCartney, and of course – yours truly – almost everyone would be on that damn line up, what a question! We’d have to let everybody in wouldn’t we?
Don’t want to be ‘those guys’… and you can rest assured there’d be bars, bars galore! Can’t forget to feed people though. Nor can we forget eating preferences and restrictions, vegans and vegetarians are welcome at our festival.
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
We will be appearing once again on the stage of The Workers Club in Fitzroy on the 7th of March with good friends The Pretty Littles! The aforementioned new single ‘Tolchocked’ by us is only recently up for grabs, and you can find it on Triple J Unearthed: http://www.triplejunearthed.com.au/ColdHiker
And our BandCamp page: http://coldhiker.bandcamp.com/
Cold Hiker Australian Tour 2013 Dates
7th March @ Workers Club, Melbourne – w/ Pretty Littles
9th March @ FBi Social Club, Sydney – w/ Gang Of Youths
28th March @ Ding Dong, Melbourne – w/ Squarehead
30th March @ The Barwon Club, Geelong ‘Dress Up For Jesus Festival’
