With their boldest release to date just around the corner, Max Hayward grabbed five with Hugo from Dead Slow Hoot to chat about Orbits Intervened – the Sheffield indie outfit’s latest dive into darker, deeper emotional waters.
How would you describe your sound and what you’re about for anyone new to Dead Slow Hoot?
Our sound is varied – we like to experiment. I don’t really like repeating myself; a song almost doesn’t feel worth doing if you’re just doing the same thing. Broadly, it’s indie rock. One of the things that’s changed over the last few years is that some of our previous albums were very orchestrated, whereas with this album, all the songs are ones we’ve been playing live for the past four years – they’re more fine-tuned and a bit more jam band in style.
Can you tell us a bit about your new single, ‘All My Love Remains’?
Quite a lot of the songs include lyrics written as letters – some addressed to other people, some to myself. This one is about a friend who took his own life during the pandemic. It’s about reflecting, trying to balance the sadness, but also remembering them for who they were and the joy they brought into your life.
Your roots are in Sheffield’s music scene – how has the city inspired your sound and identity?
What we loved about the Sheffield music scene was how much time people invested in it, and how we played loads of gigs and met loads of people. It’s great being able to go out and hear people try new things. Sheffield is a great city for connecting with other bands – especially the Tramlines fringe, which brings loads of touring musicians and local acts together. That’s probably the most valuable asset.
Which artists or movements would you say are the biggest influences on your overall sound?
I like singer-songwriters – artists who chart their own course. The ones I always say I’m inspired by are Wilco, Car Seat Headrest and, when we first started, Father John Misty. We listen to loads of stuff, but Laura Marling’s work is really inspiring, and one of my all-time favourites is Fionn Regan.
What can fans expect from your upcoming shows?
We’re expanding the sound – we’re gonna bring in some extra performers – and it’ll be a full playthrough of our new album. That said, I’m very proud of our live sets as they stand, so I’d say it’ll sound good either way.
You described Orbits Intervened as your most ambitious record yet. What makes it such a leap for the band?
Unlike some of our other albums, this one has a concept – it’s a narrative, like a collection of letters. These songs were written over a long period of time, so they’re all really different from each other. There’s not really any song on the album that sounds alike. It’s very much about letting everyone express themselves – I don’t want to be directing people like a composer. The rhythm section is all live, so it can go in and out of time – it’s not rigid.
Do you have any tips for new and up-and-coming musicians in Sheffield?
I don’t really have any tips for a stellar career – a lot of it comes down to luck. The thing I appreciate most in music is emotional honesty. There’s a temptation to lean into what works on TikTok, but my artistic advice would be: don’t be limited, and don’t just repeat one song. Everyone has their own taste, so I wouldn’t say you should all do the same thing. But if you want to stand the test of time, try to talk about how you’re feeling right now.
What are your ambitions for the band after you drop your new album and complete your shows?
The most important thing for me is to keep writing interesting music and playing it live. The ambition for this project is to play good shows – everything else that comes with it is just nice to have.
Catch Dead Slow Hoot at Sidney & Matilda on Weds 11 June for a special show celebrating the release of Orbits Intervened. Tickets (£7) available from sidneyandmatilda.com.
