Band: The Hedge Hoppers
Album: If You Want Me To Stay
Release Date: September 30, 2022
Genre: Rock
London, ON-based band, The Hedge Hoppers is made up of Calvin Kelly (vocals/ rhythm guitar), Laura Vanhoucke (drums), Graham Kelly (bass), and Adam Wiraszka (keys/ lead guitar). The up-and-coming band unveiled their 10-track album, If You Want Me To Stay, on September 30.
The album starts with the previous single, “Sweet Perfume,” which is joined by three other singles, “Powder Blue,” “Fade to Grey,” and the latest to be unveiled, “At a Loss.”
Standout tracks “No Friend of Mine” and “Clocks” show both sides of the band’s range.
“No Friend of Mine” begins with a pumping rock beat, joined by gruff, earthy vocals. Throughout the song, we hear various vocal stylings, which meld together to create one hell of a rock track. The lyrics, “I hope you can’t sleep at night, Cuz what you’ve done to me ain’t right,” and “Don’t call me anymore, yea, Cuz you’re no friend of mine,” evoke a level of hostility, mixed with bitterness, all rolled in one electrifying track. I personally couldn’t help myself from singing along with the chorus. After all, who doesn’t love an angsty rock track?
When asked for a bit of background on the track, Calvin shared that the quote, “You may let someone leave and never say goodbye,” was written by his friend Kohl Stewart and was the inspirational spark behind the track. By mixing in Calvin’s personal experiences from past relationships, “No Friend Of Mine” took shape.
“The track explains how when you fall in love with someone, they are never completely out of your life, even if they exist only as memories inside your head.”
“Clocks” is the B-side that accompanied their single, “At a Loss.” With a smooth, mellow beat and soft vocals, along with harmonies and backing vocals from drummer, Laura Vanhoucke and bassist Graham Kelly, this track shows off the softer side of the band.
Calvin shares,
“I had a broken clock in my room for a few weeks after living alone in my basement apartment for the first time and recovering from a breakup, and I realized that time heals everything. This song has statements about losing friends and substance abuse tucked away in it. Time is always moving forward, and so should we. Growing as people. This is my favourite song on the album.”
All in all, the ten-song release perfectly encapsulates The Hedge Hopper’s talents, and I, for one, can’t wait to hear what else they release in the future.
Connect with The Hedge Hoppers:
Website
Facebook
Instagram