What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.
Singer songwriter Will Veeder began as the bassist of the 1990’s Indie band Muler (Dedicated Records). After the band’s hiatus in 2000, Will formed Hinkley. Former members Jona Toll and Charles Leport, of the 90’s Post-Punk group Visionstain (Silverdish Records), and John Depuy from the 90’s Shoegaze-Trace band In One, eventually came together to create a dynamic, moody, form of experimental Indie-Americana that interested us creatively. Hinkley has had as many as 8 members at different times, but the current lineup is a quartet.
Provide us with some info about your latest release…
The latest 12 song, full length effort is entitled Purblind. Continuing on Hinkley’s past creative endevers, Purblind delivers songs of passion, urgency, playfulness and sadness. The real life losses, trials and tribulations that have contributed to introspective and perhaps cathartic song writing by Veeder, now permeate Purblind’s musical passages. Purblind wasout last November.
Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?
Music wise Will’s song writing influence is indie based but also touches on folk, country and at times even experimental music. Fellow members Charles (drums) is a huge audiophile and is influenced by experimental sounds and a love of traditional Jazz. Jona (bass) is more inspired by anything melodic in any genre. John (guitar) has firm roots in shoegaze and UK guitar hero’s of the 20th century. Non music wise Hinkley may lightly touch on themes of the real world, but mainly draw influences and inspiration on topics of a more personal and at times ambiguous and interpretative style, song wise.
In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?
Hinkley lives in a rural place musically. We are a Indie-Rock influenced collective of members, that add elements of folk, atmospheric guitar and crazy dynamic range, resulting in an unpredictable ride for our listeners. Flattering references to bands like Sparklehorse, Deerhunter, Yo La Tango, Beechwood Sparks and Neil Young have been cited by critics and fans.
Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…
The 3 desert island albums, movies and books as voted by Hinkley is: White Light White Heat (VU), Today (Galaxy 500), Blond on Blond (Bob Dylan) Shawshank Redemption (Frank Darabont) The Shining (Stanley Kuberic), One Flew Over The Cookoos Nest (Milos Forman) Grapes Of Wrath (John Steinbeck) To Kill A Mocking Bird (Harper Lee), The Phone Book (Alexander Bell).
Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?
The studio has been a comfortable place for Hinkley. So many cool people and experiences creating recordings both on our own, and produced by others have been ideal. Turning ideas into finished works, without outside influences and hearing how tracks evolve in production has beengreat. As for live, Hinkley enjoys performing anywhere that has a decent sound system, and an open minded clientele and cool promoters and club owners. Having a deep discography of music makes it enjoyable to completely change sets between shows. The rehearsals may be the most enjoyable aspect of playing. That’s where the creating, bonding, and experimenting takes place.
Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?
When John (guitarist) met Paul McCartney. Paul, his grandkids and his dog had nowhere to sit at an outdoor NY bar, so John offered Paul a seat. McCartney didn’t sing with John, but he shoot the shit with him.
Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?
Porn’s Revenge (Peak Of Light). Will Veeder’s wife Stacey Ackerman is the sole singer on that song for the first time in Hinkley.
Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?
We are hard at work tracking a ton of new and unreleased material for what will either be an EP followed by a full length, or a giant one time release out early next year. I’ll reach out with a heads up with a release date and title this fall.
Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…
What do the members of Hinkley agree the most on?
Our mutual love for craft beer, cheap humor and inside jokes! XO
Curated by: Christos Doukakis
Recommended listening:
Connect with Hinkley:
www.facebook.com/hinkleysounds
@hinkleysounds