Introducing Interview: Hipersona

With their resounding motto of ‘Pop Punk Is Not Dead!’, Turkish twin sister duo Hipersona ooze their gritty-yet-sugar-sweet and immensely catchy offerings with a sparkling energy and swirling sense of fun. First recommended to me by the almighty John Kennedy, they’re just the empowering, uplifting blast of colour we need in our lives right now.

Having formed back in 2018 and released their debut EP – mixed and mastered by famous drummer and producer Alen Konakoğlu in Los Angeles – in 2019, the vibrant duo have now shared fizzing, energy-fuelled anthem ‘Satellite‘ and we couldn’t be happier.

We caught up with the girls of Hipersona to find out more…

Hi Hipersona welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourselves?
Hi! We’re so happy to be here! Nice to meet you. We’re twin sisters from Turkey who love making noise! Hipersona was formed in 2018, Turkey. After the disbanding of our previous band in early 2018, we wanted to continue our music career without giving up. With our high and raw youth energy, we wanted to show that pop punk is not dead! I am Bengisu (bass player and backing vocals) – I’m a research assistant at TED University (Dept. Of Electrical Electronics Engineering). My twin sister Bilgesu (lead vocals and guitar) is an architect. 

Are you able to tell us a bit about how you initially started creating music together? 
When we were seven, our dad gave us guitars as gift. Since then we’ve played guitar – forming a rock band was our childhood dream. In our high school years, we played with so many different bands and won awards at music contests. And then these bands broke up, but we did not give up and promised each other: “Lets keep doing what we do love”. We are so happy that our dream came true!

I love the vibrant pop-punk energy of your sound, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
Our hero is Dave Grohl (We have got a crush on him!). We freakin’ love Foo Fighters. But our main musical influence is 2000s pop punk. Maybe it sounds weird for rockers but we looooovvvve BTS! Their impact on our music is huge. 

And I’m a big fan of your recent single ‘Satellite’! Are you able to tell us a bit about this? Are there any particular themes running throughout the song?
Firstly, thank you so much! We always wanted to make happier songs, with a party-like energy. And ‘Satellite’ is about that. We wrote this song about the concerts that we’ve missed during the pandemic. We’re just so glad to see that we make people feel happy with our songs!

How have you found recording and promoting music during these strange times?
JUST ONE SENTENCE: IT WAS QUITE HARD.

How is the live music scene in Turkey at the moment – has it ‘recovered’ after the limitations of the last couple of years?
The number of concerts is increasing day by day. But we don’t think it is yet fully recovered – we’re still afraid to play live because of the virus. Things are crazy in Turkey at the moment…

How do you feel the industry is for new artists at the moment? Do you feel much has changed over the last few years in its treatment of female and non binary artists? 
Making, recording and releasing new songs is much easier than in the past, but things have gotten easier for everyone and that makes our job harder. We can communicate more easily with our listeners – this is the biggest advantage for us. But being a woman in the rock music scene is not so easy. We live in Turkey and the rock scene here is still very much a men’s world. We hate that and feel pressure on ourselves, but do not give a shit. GRRRL POWER!

And, as we’re a new music focused site, are there any other upcoming artists or bands you’re loving right now that you’d recommend we check out?
They’re not that new, but they are more popular lately: Waterparks!

Finally, what does the next year have in store for Hipersona?
We won’t stop! We’ve just finished recording our newest song half an hour ago… And we can say it’s the best we’ve done so far. We’re excited  share it with you. We’re also currently in touch with international music festivals… Maybe a surprise soon…?!

Massive thanks to Hipersona for answering our questions – we can’t wait to hear more from them! Watch the fun-filled video for latest single ‘Satellite’ here:

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Introducing Interview: MeMe Detroit

Having received acclaim from the likes of Clash, Louder Than War and BBC Introducing, as well as wowing us more than once with her energy-fuelled live show at The Finsbury, Birmingham’s MeMe Detroit creates emotion-fuelled rock ‘n’ roll propelled by sweeping melodic hooks and front woman Maria Rodriguez’s gravelly snarl.

Following the release of their gritty latest single, ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind’, we caught up with Maria to find out more…

Hi MeMe Detroit, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about the band?
I’d describe it as a big fat raging ball of uplifting angst fuelled by positivity with a shot of melodic tenderness thrown in… Sounds like a banging cocktail that, I’d drink it!

How did you initially decide to start creating music?
Starting out as a solo artist, I’ve been lucky to work with a number of great musicians but I’ve always aimed to have a stable band around me. I love being a solo artist as there’s more of a sense of control, but I also know it’s important and a great thing to collaborate with other musicians. So that’s why I opted to get full-time band members in over sessioners for the long run. This year via the wonders of social media, I met drummer Kallum McEwen and bassist Steve Hildebrand. It definitely feels different now, like all the pieces fit together as a proper unit. We’ve started writing for the next album and it’s already sounding immense, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what comes out in the near future.

Your new single ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Mind’ is out now – can you tell us what it’s all about?
This is kind of my ode to all those hurting right now, as well as a slight fuck you to all those heartbreakers who I’ve now left for dust. The song tells of the journey we go through when we get our hearts broken from a relationship break up. At the time, it’s devastating, that awful, constant and unrelenting heavy chested, sunken feeling; you almost feel like you can’t get through, but eventually do and, woah, when you finally do, it’s empowering as fuck. You come out so much stronger and more resilient.

 

You’ve been compared to the likes of Foo Fighters and Wolf Alice, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
I take inspiration from so many different artists and styles. I love Foos, so I can see why that comparison comes in, but I’m also a massive fan of house, old skool ska and hip hop. I love good rhythms and catchy moving melodies. I guess my main influence growing up however was probably Radiohead… The first time a mini MeMe heard a Jonny Greenwood guitar line, it was love at first hear.

How is your local music scene? Do you go to see lots of live music?
There’s something happening in Birmingham right now that is really really cool. There seems to be a real sense of community with all artists and across different genres, everyone’s there to support each other. I believe a big reason for that is the new introduction of the Birmingham Music Awards and the awesome inspiring spirit of radio personalities such as Tim Senna (Switch Radio/BBC Introducing) and Alex Noble (BBC Introducing). There’s so much fresh and exciting talent coming out right now, it’s hard to not go to shows for FOMO!

And what can fans expect from your live shows?
The audience are as big a part of our live shows, so I definitely aim to make them feel that way. Expect an insanely high octane whirlwind of raucous passion with a generous slice of audience participation, and a fat slab of heart gripping noise.

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any new/upcoming bands or artists you’d recommend we check out?
Definitely! There’s so many to choose from, but definitely check out Blue Nation, Nuns of Tundra, Hey Jester, Jemma Freeman and the Cosmic Something, Lady Sanity, Flares, Chloe Mogg and The Pagans S.O.H.

And how do you feel the music industry is for new bands at the moment – would you say it’s difficult to get noticed?
I believe it’s only as difficult as you think it to be. As long as you’ve got good songs, you believe in your brand/product and you’re driven enough to put the work in and commit to it, then you’ll do good. We have this amazing tool and direct personal access to fans with social media platforms nowadays and you don’t need a humungous budget to self release via online distribution companies. I’ve recently checked our Apple Music and Spotify stats and we had a spike of listens in Australia and Sweden. Imagine being in the olden days where the only way that was possible was through big dog record labels?! Now it’s a piece of piss in comparison. 

Finally, what does the rest of 2019 have in store for MeMe Detroit?
We have one more show left in Birmingham at The Flapper on the 28th December with the awesome Templeton Pek, but aside from that we’re taking time out now to write more for the next album. It’s been so manic lately, I personally cant wait for the chill time! That is until the the freight train starts up again next year. It’s definitely important to look after yourself mentally and physically by taking regular time out when it’s needed, especially in the music industry!

Massive thanks to Maria for answering our questions!

‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind’ is out now.

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Track Of The Day: ARXX – ‘Iron Lung’

Following last year’s release of their incredible debut EP Daughters Of Daughters, and wowing crowds supporting the likes of Lady Bird and The Coathangers as well as at Cro Cro Land in April, GIHE faves ARXX have now shared a fantastically ferocious new single. 

Wasting no time at all, ‘Iron Lung’ kicks off immediately with vocalist/guitarist Hannah blasting into our ears with her distinctive, penetrating growl: “Give me the iron lung”, she demands, as we’re instantly, once again, completely blown away by the Brighton duo’s unmatched raw power.

Showcasing all that we love about them, with ‘Iron Lung’ ARXX deliver their immense, ferocious sound to full effect. Driven by Hannah’s fierce emotion and Clara’s unrelenting thrashing beats, it rages with scuzzed-out hooks reminiscent of the catchy rock anthems of (personal heroes) Foo Fighters.

Despite the comparison, however (and it is a compliment of the highest, coming from me: a fangirl who’s seen Foos 14 times), ARXX truly are completely unique in both sound and energy. Having heard ‘Iron Lung’ live the last couple of times I’ve seen them, it’s wonderful to hear it recorded; capturing the raucous force of their live shows perfectly.

Without meaning to sound like a broken record, I really cannot stress strongly enough how incredible I think ARXX are. They stand out amongst a sea of new bands as a constant breath of fresh air; a mighty force to be reckoned with whose consistent dedication and energy to all they do is to be admired. They’re my most favourite power duo, deserving of every success that comes their way, and I cannot wait to see where their anthem-filled journey takes them next.

 

‘Iron Lung’ is out 7th June. Catch ARXX live:

10th August – Boardmasters Festival, Newquay
14th September – The Dome, Tufnell Park (Loud Women Fest)

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Kaleido Shoots

 

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