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The Hillary Step - Brad Hodgson
Emily: In what ways are you inspired in the Hillary Step? What are your influences?
Brad: For me, there is something very solid but simple in the Hillary Step, making it somehow very powerful to me. I can't explain it. It's something I'm not exactly sure of yet. It's something that really makes me believe in the music we are doing. We have tons of influences, possibly the most prominent in the music are A Minor Forest, June of 44, Braid, Roadside Monument, and Sharks Keep Moving. There is so much stuff we listen to though...
Emily: How have your influences/aspirations changes over your career as a musician?
Brad: In a way, they haven't a lot. I don't know. I started playing guitar when I was 10 or so, and I loved heavy metal. Ha. I grew up listening to it. I've always liked the heavy stuff. But I've always been intrigued on the bands that can pull off something so beautiful and atmospheric, and then turn it into complete chaos. I think that has been and always will be there.
Emily: Where did the band's name come from?
Brad: Haha. Um. We were searching for a name, we had a show coming up, and Brian was reading a book about Mt. Everest. The Hillary Step is the second highest point on the mountain, and one of the most dangerous. He said, "What about the Hillary Step?". Kind of joking. And we were like - "Whatever, we don't care." Ha. It just really grew on us.
Emily: Tell us a little bit about each of the members. How and where did you meet?
Brian and I played in Grovel together, Danny and I have just been really good friends for years. Danny and I actually started playing together before Grovel was a band, Danny then being the first drummer for Grovel when it started.
Emily: When did you decide it was time to move on from Grovel?
Brad: Oh boy. Ha. Hmm. I think it was and all of the sudden thing that came upon me, and that's how I knew that it was the right decision. It was a very hard one, but the right one. I still can be sure of that. Things go on. John and Keanon are starting something new that is supposed to be great. We all still are close, and we will support each other through it all. I think that's the best thing Grovel ever offered me, besides the rock we had.
Emily: How would you describe your sound, and how does it differ from that of Grovel?
Brad: Our sound... I think the best thing about the Hillary Step is it can be so damn chaotic sometimes, but still so simple - so broken down being it's a 3 piece. It is really moody and intricate, and I believe has some very beautiful moments. Then before you know it, its chaos and there's screaming, and Danny is beating the hell out of the drums. It's just fantastic to me. I think the difference between us and Grovel is a big one. You still have some quiet moments and loud moments, and you still have my awful voice, but that's where it stops. There's a lot more intricate moments, and less instrumentation. Maybe a little more hardcore. More of what I've grown up listening to.
Emily: Who are the main songwriters in the band?
Brad: That's what is so incredible about the songwriting process with us. Everyone is. I might come home, and Danny will drag me into the band room, and he wrote something on guitar, and we'll go from there, or I'll write something on bass, or Brian will come up with all of the breaks or structure. Then next song, it could be completely different.
Emily: What plans do you have for a release? Full length?
Brad: Well, we have some recordings coming out soon. Our first full length comes out around December 10 on Urinine Records. The artwork is finished and its being sent off this week. We are also doing a Bob Seger tribute album on Urinine. We are doing "Against the Wind" and a couple of splits are being talked about. Plus, we are already excited about recording the next full length.
Emily: Where do you do your recording?
Brad: The full length was recorded with Ed Rose - it sounds great. Ed is so awesome. The next full length we aren't sure of yet. We may travel somewhere to record it - find somewhere that has a very different sound for the next one. We don't know. We do know that Ed made this album sound incredible, and that's what we are concentrating on right now.
Emily: Have you been been out on the road?
Brad: We have been doing weekend and short tours ever since we started playing in February. We've played in Fayetteville, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Dallas, we play in Omaha next week, Fayetteville again in December, Chicago in December or January, and Sioux Falls in December. Plus Sid [of Urinine Records] is setting up another week or so tour in January. Sid is awesome - he goes to every show, came with us to Dallas and Oklahoma City. He makes sure everything is good for us, and he supports us so much. As far as setting up shows, everyone is involved with that, though usually I do most of it. Also, we must give props to all the bands from here that have helped us with shows, Reflector, Casket Lottery, Appleseed Cast, Shiner, and so many others. Thank you.
Emily: Any interesting stories from your recent tours?
Brad: Uh.. Let's see. The van blew out black smoke the whole time down there; breaking down once, then mysteriously starting back up fine 3 minutes later. Danny encountered the Blair Witch after kicking the map into the creek he was pissing in while we stopped. One of the 3 shows got canceled due to weather, after the electricity was shut off in the whole block. We spent a day in Dallas at Planet Hollywood playing video games and recording our stupid asses running through the mall. Ha not really, no.
Emily: What's in the future for the Hillary Step?
Brad: Right now we are just having fun. We love to play. We are excited about the album coming out, and have high hopes for it. Future plans involve so much - new recording, a lot of touring, hopefully make a little money. Haha. But that's a far cry we know. Haha. We'll see.
Emily: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Brad: Just a thanks to the Zone for the opportunity for this, and everyone who enjoys our music; thank you. Be sure and check out our album when it comes out!
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