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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EP: Berries – ‘Live From Big Smith Studios’

Fuelled by the riff-driven melodies of Nirvana, the massive choruses of Biffy Clyro, and the punk rock attitude of Riot Grrrl pioneers Bikini Kill, London based trio Berries have spent the last five years releasing an incendiary blend of grunge and garage rock, culminating in two explosive extended plays; 2016’s Those Funny Things and 2019’s Lies.

The three-piece – consisting of Holly Carter on guitar/lead vocals, Lauren Cooper on bass/backing vocals, and Lucie Hartmann on drums/backing vocals – recently signed with London-based label Xtra Mile Recordings, dropped the single track ‘Copy’, and have now released their latest EP, Live Sessions from Big Smith Studios; a collection of four tracks recorded live in Antony Smith’s studio.

Opening Live Sessions from Big Smith Studios, Berries immediately launch into a live rendition of their latest single ‘Copy’, a high-energy performance that gives the riff-laden track even more of an edge. Lauren’s raucous bass-lines, Lucie’s pounding drums, Holly’s distinctive lead vocal delivery and scuzzy guitar hooks are so flawless that you would be forgiven for mistaking this for the original track; if not for the various nuances between the two (“Don’t copy it exactly / Rough around the edge”).

The remaining three performances – ‘Dangerous’, ‘Silent’ and ‘Lies’ – are live versions of their respective tracks taken from the EP, Lies. Recorded for John Kennedy’s Radio X show, along with ‘Copy’ and ‘Lies’, ‘Dangerous’ is the highlight of Live Sessions from Big Smith Studios; an infectious collision of drum strikes, pulsating bass guitar, and distorted riffs combining indie, grunge and punk to cause a euphoric shock to the senses. Holly creates a sense of danger with her haunting lyrics, inspired after travelling home late one night after a gig: “All of the thoughts and feelings of walking the streets alone at night and the different personalities you meet on the way.“

Recorded for the virtual single launch of ‘Copy’, the band let loose on ‘Silent’, channelling the spirit of punk rock, and evoking Black Sabbath at the same time, with a fast-paced rhythmic foundation that elevates the track’s off-kilter hook, leading into a metallic breakdown that will have you banging your head! ‘Lies’ concludes the EP with a seemingly effortless performance oozing razor-sharp guitar licks, duelling drum and bass grooves, sassy vocals, and intense shredding.

Raw, complex, and full of little flourishes, Live Sessions from Big Smith Studios showcases the band’s signature style and strength as a live power trio. And it won’t be long until Berries are able to replicate this noise in front of a live audience! Worthy of repeat listening, this four-track extended play will scratch that rock and roll itch until we can all get together, drink warm beer, dance, and sing along with Holly, Lauren, and Lucie.

Watch the live video for ‘Dangerous’ here:

Live Sessions From Big Smith Studios is out now, listen on Spotify and download/buy here.

Ken Wynne
@Ken_Wynne

Photo Credit: Cae Sato

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Track Of The Day: ARXX – ‘deep’

Following last year’s emotion-driven ‘Call Me Crazy’, and with acclaim from the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens, John Kennedy on Radio X and BBC 6Music’s Steve LaMacq, GIHE faves ARXX are back with a swooning new single.

An empowering ode to leaving behind all your anxieties and getting what you want, ‘DEEP‘ is propelled by a sweeping, impassioned energy. Interweaving a more electro-infused, glitchy sound than previous releases with their signature ferocious grunge-fuelled drive, it instantly hits you with its raw, anthemic rush and gritty, sensual prowess. Showcasing the fierce power of Hanni’s vocals alongside Clara’s distinctive thrashing beats and scuzzy riffs, it oozes an immense, stirring splendour reminiscent of alt-pop heroes HAIM. A swirling slice of rousing power-pop that leaves me longing to see the Brighton duo in all their live glory once more.

Consistently honing their sound with each offering, impossible to pigeonhole into one genre, ARXX continue to impress us with everything they do and remain one of the most exciting bands I’ve ever come across. I can’t wait to hear where they take our ears next!

‘Deep’ is produced by Steven Ansell and mastered by Katie Tavini (Pillow Queens, Arlo Parks). And, to coincide with the release of ‘DEEP’, ARXX will be sharing a special remix EP, featuring the likes of Dream Wife’s Alice Go, Anna from Brighton’s LIME and Linda Buratto.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Jessie Morgan

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Get In Her Ears @ Notting Hill Arts Club w/ ESYA 30.11.19

Get In Her Ears returned to Notting Hill Arts Club to host another evening of alternative music, headlined by the multi-talented ESYA aka Ayse Hassan of Savages/Kite Base/180 db. South London duo Scrounge also shared the bill, along with spoken word artist & drummer Eilis Frawley.

The task of opening the night fell to Berlin-based Eilis, who delivered her unique cacophony of live drums, electronic elements and spoken-word lyrics with captivating precision. Performing singles ‘Strangers’ and ‘Illusions’ (both championed by Radio X’s John Kennedy, who was in attendance), her one woman show felt all the more powerful as many of her songs are informed by feminist beliefs that align perfectly with GIHE.

Scrounge took to the stage next to perform their raucous post-punk anthems. Lucy & Luke’s live sets are always a raw, urgent affair and we felt every bass drum beat of tracks ‘Badoom’ and ‘Purpose’ rattle through our bones. The duo released their EP Ideal, earlier this year and it’s barely left our ears since. They’re firm favourites of GIHE and their heavy guitar riffs and knockout drumming sat perfectly between Eilis & ESYA’s sets.

  

Headlining the night and performing her last London show of 2019, ESYA hypnotized us with her dark, brooding electronics. Filled with buzzing synth textures, direct vocals and pummelling beats, her songs flesh out the absurdities of our relationships and interactions with each other. Set highlights included ‘Nothing’, ‘Everything’ and brand new single ‘Blue Orchid’, all lifted from her recent EP, Absurdity of ATCG (II) – Emergent Form. She multi-tasked triggering synths, singing and plucking bass strings throughout the set.

Huge thanks to the sound engineer and staff at Notting Hill Arts Club.

Follow the bands on Facebook for more updates: ESYA, Scrounge, Eilis Frawley.

Photo Credit: Jon Mo

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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