Editor’s Note
Across their six albums, Hot Chip have delivered dancefloor gems and undying earworms the world over. For a period, they were the world’s premier party-starters and only LCD Soundsystem, Friendly Fires and to an extent, Cut Copy, went even close to producing the same level of alternative dance music. In 2019, Hot Chip emerge with their seventh studio album, A Bath Full of Ecstasy.
We chat to the band’s lead vocalist Alexis Taylor about the changes to the Hot Chip aesthetic – the days of ‘Over and Over’ are over but the appetite to write roaring dance tracks hasn’t abated. Their narratives are more current than ever and their presence in the global music landscape is more crucial than ever.
As the anticipation intensifies for the London outfit’s next offering, Beat 1676 also sees us sit down with James Blake who will be bringing his new album, Assume Form, to Australia for the first time for Splendour in the Grass and some sideshows. The next instalment of Young Henrys’ Best Served Loud series will see local surf rockers Hobsons Bay Coast Guard take the stage at The Retreat Hotel. We chat to the emerging outfit about their haphazard creation and their wide-ranging musical inspirations.
We also chat to NGAIIRE, Meg Mac, My Chemical Romance’s former rhythm guitarist Frank Iero on his new solo project and preview some fantastic events coming to Melbourne, West Set Festival and Dark FOMO. Encase your feet with your flashiest dancing shoes – it’s time to boogie.