Q&A with Hedley: On U.S Release of 'Wild Life', Next Single & Comparisons!
Pop-rock band Hedley are huge in Canada. For real. The Jacob Hoggard-led band have so many platinum certifications and awards in their home country, it's ridiculous.
Hedley started in the business back in 2005. Their self-titled debut performed so well, it paved the way for a bright career for the band. And bright it was! In the 9 years Hedley's existed they've released five studio albums and we count up to nine Top 10 Canadian hits. Songs like 'On My Own', 'Never Too Late' or 'Kiss You Inside Out' have made Hedley so popular they have sold out every national tour they've done.
With their fifth album 'Wild Life', released in Canada last November, Hedley want to take one step further, though. They plan on finally breaking America (and Europe too). They've signed a deal with Capitol Records for U.S distribution of this album. 'Wild Life' will hit shelves in American stores on May 20th.
Before this takes place, DirectLyrics caught up with Hedley's frontman Jacob Hoggard for a quick Q&A where we asked him about what the US release meant for the group, what the next single will be, or what does he think of comparisons!
THE INTERVIEW
1. Four albums in your catalogue, and you released last November your fifth, "Wild Life", in Canada. What sets this last album apart from the previous?
This album is a culmination of months of writing and experimenting. The iPad made its debut on a Hedley record as both a composition tool and instrument, Jake also got his hand on some old analog synths and found lots of inspiration there as well. We wanted to make a record that captured the many sides of Hedley. Got pretty close on this one I think, but we better make another one just to be safe.
2. Hedley is extremely popular in Canada. Several platinum certifications, sold-tour tours, awards and chart positions definitely prove that. If one would ask you, certainly, breaking America would be one of your future objectives, right? "Wild Life" is released in the U.S in May via Capitol. What are your expectations for this album in America? And describe the importance that would signify 'making it' in the biggest music market in the world.
We as Hedley are a touring band of musicians who love playing for people. We have worked hard building a fan base at home but have always traveled outside our borders; I look forward to doing lots more of it this year. As far as "making it", I get to play in a band with my 3 best buds, that in itself makes me feel incredibly proud. I quit my job at the mall 10 years ago and haven't looked back since
3. There are already two official singles from “Wild Life"; “Anything” and “Crazy For You”, both hits in Canada. Many have said the latest, “Crazy For You”, sounds kind of similar to “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk. Do comparisons bother you? Also, you premiered last month the video for “Crazy For You” on VEVO. How did the “Hedley craze turns epidemic” treatment come along?
Comparisons don't bother us, we are fans of all types of music. For that tune we were drawing our inspiration from old school Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. After 9 years of playing together we are constantly working on evolving as players and songwriters; it's fun blurring the genres and creating what we've come to know as Hedley. The video was our tip of the hat to movies like "They Live". We took over an old canvas factory for the day and filled it with girls. We then proceeded to run all over the place.
5. We recently listened to “Wild Life” (album) thanks to Capitol. Our favourite songs (besides the singles) definitely have to be: “Heaven In Our Headlights”, “I'll Be With You”, and "Got Love"? Any chance one of these gets picked as third single? Have you thought about your next single yet? What is the song that you had the most fun recording for the album, and the one with the ‘most special meaning’ for you, and why?
We are thinking Heaven in Your Headlights is going to be next. It's a road trip song, and since we are in the middle of tour, its timing feels great since tour is just one long dirty road trip. Personally I really dig the song Headphones, it was one of those iPad ideas turned into fruition. It's message is using music to get you out of your troubles. We can all relate to that on some level.
6. You just finished an arena tour in Canada. What are Hedley’s most immediate plans?
A quick break, maybe some lunch, then back on tour. Love it!
7. What other Canadian bands (or artists) are you most proud of?
Well if you want to go legacy, Bryan Adams, The Guess Who, Rush. New stuff, Mother Mother, Rah Rah, Greys, Northcote, The Flatliners. Check 'em out!
8. You are ambassadors for ‘Free The Children’. For those of us who don’t know, explain what does this charity do, and how can we help?
Free The Children is a youth ambassador program that builds schools and clean water facilities in impoverished countries. Students raise money to sponsor communities and even go on trips to help first hand. Seeing kids helping kids is the best part; this generation wants to be the change. For more info go to www.freethechildren.com
9. What are Hedley’s Top 5 songs at the moment?
'Telegraph Ave' by Childish Gambino
'I Don't Care' by Icona Pop
'We Can't Stop' by Miley Cyrus
'Limit Your Love' by James Blake
'The Wire' by Haim
10. If Hedley could record a collaboration with another band (or artist), who would that be and why?
I'd love to work with a group from Vancouver called Mother Mother, They've got some very cool harmonies and would be fun to do a tune together because they're good friends. Would make for a creative time in the studio. Thinking it would also fun to collaborate on a track with Swedish House Mafia. They throw one heck of shindig.
11. Thanks for your time, Hedley! Any last thing you would like to share with our readers at Direct Lyrics?
Looking forward to playing more shows!
Check Hedleyonline.com for details on upcoming tours!