HOT BREATH is your after party that never stops. The soundtrack of the last drink sip that never ends. The one that breaks your mirror and will dance with you through the night – like stray cats covered in glitter.
Interview conducted on January 03, 2021
By Dan Locke
Formed in October 2018 (with members from Honeymoon Disease, Hypnos and Grand) the band wanted to mix their various pasts into one vibrating sound. With a common ground of heavy rock Hot Breath quickly took shape and turned into a wicked animal that will twist your hips.
Jennifer Israelsson – Vocals and Guitar
Karl Edfeldt – Guitar
Anton Frick Kallmin – Bas
Jimmy Karlsson – Drums
Jennifer- How was your birthday?
Jennifer: It was pretty good, thank you. Took a day off, hung out with my dog and boyfriend and drank whisky.
How did you start to write music?
Jennifer: I think I wrote my first song when I was about 9-10 years old and it was called “I wanna be a superstar”. At that time it was really important for me and my band that no song, ever, should be about love. That was an absolute no-no when you played rock music, haha.
I guess it was natural to start making my own music. I realized early on that I was actually better at conveying a feeling in a song than in just words, without music backing it up.
How did you find each other being in bands llke Honeymoon Disease, Hypnos and Grand?
Jennifer: We found each other at a bar in Vasastan, Gothenburg, drinking beer and talking about how to rock
Describe your music.
Jennifer: 70’s London and 60’s Detroit in a blender with caffeine and Swedish snus.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
Jennifer: My first guitar was actually my dad’s old guitar. An Ibanez (don’t know the model) that he had painted in an awful neon yellow color to make it “cooler”.. Yeah, don’t know about that, but at least everyone knew it was my guitar. Haha
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make, and model?
Jennifer: Of course I have to say my all-time favorite choice is my Schecter Ultra 3. I bought it in 2007 and it has been my right arm ever since. It has the perfect sound, weight and it has never broken down a single time.
How did you form the band?
Jennifer: The rock scene in Gothenburg ain’t that big so we all knew each other in one way or another. When Honeymoon Disease was no more I and Jimmy decided to start something new and decided to ask the coolest guys in town, Anton and Karl to join. And yeah, that went pretty well after one or two beers at Vasaplatsen.
How did your band gets it name?
Jennifer: To make a long story short we wanted to come up with a name that represented our music and how we are as a band – charismatic and not afraid to take inspiration from music that’s not rock music. So, we may not be that good looking praline in the chocolate box, but I promise you we are the one that gives you the hottest and freshest breath of them all.
What was your first performance like?
Jennifer: Our first show was at Abyss, a heavy metal club, in Gothenburg. Like all “first shows” it was a lot of shaky legs of course but I think we found each other pretty fast on stage and did our thing. I really enjoy intimate gigs like that, when you can stand close (well, not nowadays..) to the audience and feel the energy and adrenaline rushing through your body.
What makes a good songwriter?
Jennifer: The one that makes you say “Oh, that’s EXACTLY what I meant/or felt, but I couldn’t find the words or melody for it.
Anton: If you ever were a member of the Eagles.
What is the process of writing your music?
Anton: The process can be different at all times. Usually, someone brings a riff or a hook to rehearsal, to later be finished together with the band. We are very picky when creating music. We really put the time into it. Something I think comes through on Rubbery Lips.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Anton: Not to my knowledge. But we are all members of Hot Breath ekonomiska förening.
What was the title of your first original song?
Anton: Got it All. It was on our first ever rehearsal as a band. It would later also be released as our first ever single.
Did you record it?
Anton: We recorded it with Jamie Elton, who also recorded the whole S/T EP.
You are recording your first full length album. Why did it take you so long to make a album?
Anton: We are very picky about our music so that’s definitely one of the reasons. The previous plans for 2020 were to tour as support to a bigger act. It was all set to hit the road in April of 2020, but of course, it got canceled. We spend the entire summer writing the album. In between rehearsals, we would go swimming in the lake Delsjön. The song bad Feelings was actually written 2 hours before going swimming.
When we later went into the studio with Mattias Nyberg (Svenska Grammofonstudion), everything fell in place very smoothly. That whole studio experience is something I will always remember with a smile on my face.
Tell me about your LP?
Jennifer: We are releasing our first album in April next year, so that’s definitely something to look forward to! And before that we’re gonna release some singles and videos, so yeah, teasers until the album release.
Tell me about your new single “Bad Feeling”?
Anton: It’s a straight-up in your face tune of a song. It’s like the Titanic. The drums and bass are the dudes shoveling coal into the engine on the lower decks. The guitars are dining in first-class putting on the delicate touches. The vocals have the power of all four chimneys. The iceberg is the solo. Pretty decent explanation in my opinion. Like the movie, the song bad feeling is a pure blockbuster.
What is your favorite track on the album?
Anton: It’s very difficult for me to pinpoint one favorite track from this record. I really enjoy them all. But at the moment I would say “What to Do”.
How do you stay healthy while performing?
Anton: Swedish coffee, bad jokes, and snus.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
Karl: It’s a great way for artists to reach out to the new audience, and it makes it easier for new bands to release their music at a low cost.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Karl: Let’s just be happy we live in a time where we can have both at the same time! Vinyl is awesome, and I would like to say vinyl as the winner, but I strem more music than i listen to vinyl so it’s not absolutely clear.
Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Karl: Probably in some way, but who knows, maybe it will change for the better!
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Karl: Social media keeps fans updated and we have a web shop where you can buy our merch at affordable prices!
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Karl: ‘The Hot Breath Holographic Experience’ will be available in YOUR living room in fall 2032
Why is Do You Remember When Shit Was Really Humming sound so different from your rest of your music?
Karl: Have you tried to play it backward? If not; do that and you might see what i mean!
What is your happy place?
Anton: Swimming in Delsjön with two very strong IPAs in my belly.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Mark the 16th of April in your calendar. That’s the day we give our RUBBERY LIPS to the world.
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