Catching up with Madrid’s HICKEYS
Catching up with Madrid’s HICKEYS
The self-described ‘glitter punk’ quatro described as ‘fiery’ and having ‘enough energy to last a lifetime’ by Emmie magazine, Hickeys are a force to be reckoned with. With an ever-evolving sound that uses abrupt changes of rhythm, distorted guitars and dynamic basslines best demonstrated in their most recent single “Alegría Di Vision”, they are working towards their debut album, and we can’t wait to hear it. Set to take the summer by storm with a schedule spanning Primavera Sound, Vida Festival, FIB, Tomavistas, BIME, Eurosonic, SXSW and New Colossus Festival, they have now found themselves in lockdown with everything on hold like so many other rising groups. We caught up with them to find out how they’re keeping busy and get some solid music recommendations.
Hickeys will be joining us at The Shacklewell Arms for a free show on 24th September (postponed from the original April date) and we can’t wait to see their live show for ourselves. RSVP here.
Please introduce your band!
We are Hickeys, a music band.
Hickeys is formed by Martina (bass), Ana (guitar), Marta (guitar) and Maite (drums).
All of us sing.
What’s your songwriting process?
It really depends on the song but we love to jam and see what arises. Then we try and organise the different parts into a structure that we feel comfortable with. It's normally quite democratic.
Where does the name Hickeys come from?
An Australian guy taught that word to one of us. We liked the way it sounded and the impossibility to shorten it.
What’s the music scene in Madrid like?
There are loads of bands emerging, growing, settling, disappearing... But it seems that lately the trendy sound is pop or garage pop music. It's okay but it's not our favourite scene.
What’s your favourite gig to date? (that you’ve played)
Brighton! It was on April 2019 at the Green Door Store and the audience was so into the show that made us flow through the noise.
And your favourite venue?
SHE (Sociedade Harmonia Eborense) in Évora, Portugal.
Best festival experience?
The ESNS (Eurosonic Noordeslag) in Groningen (The Netherlands). Great line up, impeccable production and very devoted audience.
Hickeys at Eurosonic 2020, by diegoldenehor
And biggest musical / performer heroes?
Lucia from Lucia & The Best Boys and also Charlie from Shame, Billie Eilish, Nick Cave and Arcade Fire.
Have you developed any hobbies you didn’t have before?
We have developed some hidden skills. After the quarantine… Who knows, maybe we become bakers, sport instructors or tattoo artists.
Best films for isolation?
The Lighthouse (2019) about magical -and cruel- isolation and any Buster Keaton film to cheer you up.
And have you read any good books recently?
Meet me in the Bathroom. It narrates the 2000s indie rock scene in New York.
Texts by Walter Benjamin that lead to debates between us.
Best quarantine meal?
TORTILLA DE PATATAS.
The best song for cheering up or your favourite party song;
Fresh Air by Iseo & Dodosound.
Don't Start Now by Dua Lipa.
A little death to laugh by Cold Cave.
Total Football by Parquet Courts.
Your favourite song to perform / that you’ve written;
Alegría Di Vision and Motherlode but this last one hasn’t seen the light yet.
Anything new you’d recommend:
Support Public Healthcare System always.
Words by Maddy O’Keefe