They’re arriving next week. The Dublin bands are coming to Maxwell’s on May 18 at 10 p.m. and playing gigs all over the New York area to blow away American audiences with styles of music that are uniquely their own. They’re Ten Speed Racer and Nina Hynes, and they’re ready to showcase their compilation of wild, fun, angst-filled and trippy alternative sounds from their debut albums set to be released on their American tour, beginning May 15.
The Current caught up Ten Speed Racer vocalist and guitarist Tom Red, a.k.a. Dermot (think redrum), and vocalist Nina Hynes before they hit the States, to prepare local audiences for what they are about to receive.
Ten Speed Racer
Louise Thach: So why the name Ten Speed Racer?
Tom Red: Remember ‘Go speed racer, go!’ Well, we didn’t think we could use that name, because of copyright laws, but we wanted speed racer in the name. So we were arguing about it for ages, finding words to go with speed racer. Then we were finally given the suggestion for Ten Speed Racer, and we were all delighted with the name. I mean, remember when you were a kid and really wanted a ten speed bike?
LT: Yeah, but ten speeds aren’t as fast and cool as they used to be.
TD:Well, it depends on how the gears are set up and how you ride it. You can have a 20-speed and not go as fast as a pro on a ten speed.
LT: New bands can’t help being compared to other bands. Have there been any comparisons that you were unhappy with?
TD: We were compared to Radiohead, and we were not happy. Not because we don’t like them, but because we don’t like comparisons. It’s unfair to be compared to band. We all have lots of roots, not one set influence. We like to believe that our songs are unique and that they’re all ours. The list of comparisons keeps getting bigger and bigger. But hopefully we’ll give them a tough time classifying us, and we’ll be marked as like an X-File.
LT: Have you guys ever been to America before?
TR: This is the first time we’re going over as a band and we’re completely excited, because we’ve only been playing around here. American crowds are different; they’re brilliant and receptive. People come to see gigs in America to see the band. People in Ireland come to gigs to drink and socialize. They’re all drunken fools by the time the band is up.
LT: But that just means we pay attention, so it also can mean that we’re more critical.
TR: Yeah, well Americans have set ways of doing things and Irishmen do things in sort of roundabout ways. Americans are direct and will call you crap to your face. Irishmen can walk up to you after a gig and say you were great, and turn around and say it was rubbish. Americans are amazing. We have to impress them so they just make us work harder.
LT: What was the best gig you ever played?
TR: I was out of my face drunk, and everyone hated it, but I loved it. I was so locked just drinking at this bar on the countryside that I decided to play a s song. I only used two chords, and halfway through I stopped and told the crowd that I couldn’t remember the rest. Everyone said I was playing the one song for 15 minutes, but I swear it was only three minutes long.
LT: Do you drink before every show?
TR: Depends on the day…well yeah, who are we kidding? That’s terrible, I should be ashamed.
LT: Well, you’ll love Hoboken. There are plenty of bars.
TR: Really? Well, Hoboken will be fun anyway, because I’m a massive fan of Sinatra. I mean, how could you not be?
LT: Are you going to visit the Sinatra museum?
TR: I didn’t know that there was one. Brilliant, yeah. I can’t wait to go to the Sinatra museum.
LT: What else are you going to see in America?
TR: We’re going to a baseball game, and I’m going to get one of those big gloves with the finger sticking out…and a nacho hat.
LT: I don’t think nacho hats really exist. I think the Simpsons made that one up.
TR: By God, I’ll just have to make one of them. Nacho, nacho man…(singing to the melody of Macho Man)
LT: So you think Americans are just a bunch of Homer Simpsons?
TR: I think Homer Simpson is the epitome of all human beings. And Americans are just so much fun. They have a weird outlook on life. They’re very intelligent, but they don’t seem to know it. Americans are highly intelligent in every way, but in general. You guys invented lifts and things to make life easier. You had it all laid out for you, whereas we had to do all the basic work manually. So I guess you seem to overlook the obvious at times.
LT: Then you’ll love the upscale Yuppies of Hoboken.
TR: Upscale Yuppies? Really? Well, we’ll just have to show them a thing or two about downscale Irishmen.
Ten Speed Racer releases their debut album “Eskimo Beach Boy” on May 15.
Nina Hynes
Louise Thach: Are you looking forward to playing in America again?
Nina Hynes: Yeah, because no matter where you go abroad, the audience really listens. It’s lovely, because they really get into it. I think it’s an amazing experience for me and the audience in other countries.
LT: What would you say is the mood of your music?
NH: Varied. Very different all the time. Sometimes it’s really mellow, sometimes it’s really heavy. Sometimes it’s acoustic and sometimes it’s electric. It’s all wacky, wild, poppy, dark and tripped out all at the same time.
LT: What inspires your very different and electronic style of music?
NH: Everything, everything I do. Daily things. What I read in the newspaper and what I see on television. The songs come from I don’t know where. It’s not a conscious inspiration; it arrives. People in my band inspire me. Sunny days and rainy days, too.
LT: How do you want your audience to feel after one of your shows?
NH: Exhilarated. An absolutely happy feeling, like anything is possible, that they don’t have to conform. I get a real buzz off the people at the gig, and we just bounce the buzz off each other.
LT: Would you say it’s harder or easier being a female performer today?
NH: I don’t think it makes much difference anymore. Years ago, there were less females so it was easier then, because you stood out. Now I think it’s balanced out. But there is a difference between male and female performers that I can’t put my finger on. I think woman use more of their sexuality on the stage.
LT: Do you use your sexuality on stage?
NH: Of course I do. Who doesn’t? That’s what it’s all about. It’s about being alive. It’s part of what you do and who you are. You can’t hold that back.
LT: Talking about passion on the stage, I heard you go into a brawl on the stage at Brownies two years ago?
NH: Yeah, but it didn’t get physical. There was a punk band performing, and we were into the music, so my band decided to go on stage and dance. We weren’t getting in their way, we were just dancing on the sides of the stage. I mean they were a punk band, you know? Well, they got freaked out and stopped to say, ‘Hey man, this is a showcase.’ So we got off the stage. But, we meet the band later at a club and actually had a good laugh.
Nina Hynes also releases her new CD “Creation” on May 15, but it is now available on www.amazon.com as an import.
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