Hinds
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
Wed 14 Nov
Madrid quartet Hinds have artfully honed their musical style since their 2011 formation, taking inspiration from the likes of The Strokes, Mac DeMarco and The Vaccines whilst drawing comparisons to The Velvet Underground and C86-era groups – a response which makes vocalist and guitarist Ana Perrote “feel like we made it”. This month sees the start of the group’s Europe tour following the release of their second record I Don’t Run in the spring of this year, heralded as a janglier, punchier edition of the garage pop that made the group stand out from the male-dominated scene of Spanish garage rock at the start of this decade.
Previous live gigs of Hinds’ have elicited an atmosphere more fitting for a party than a rock gig – a testament to the fun and mischief the four inhabit within the group’s perimeter. Part of the charm of Hinds is the bilingual songwriting in both English and Spanish; Perrote says, “It’s just natural. We start talking in Spanish as if we were having a beer in a bar, remembering things, and then start writing it in English. Being two main singers make it fun especially because we are best friends – it’s like writing a diary!”
Has the international response to their music caught them by surprise? “It was definitely shocking at the beginning – our fourth ever gig was in London! We toured Australia before America and both before having a full record out, just by having songs on the internet! I wouldn’t say we are surprised now, but since the beginning, we tried growing globally.” They may be gearing up for their upcoming tour, but Hinds already have their eyes on the future – what’s next for them? “A new era of music.”
With contemplative, dear-diary lyrics which at times mirror Alvvays and hazy, layered lo-fi instrumentals akin to Girl Ray and Sunflower Bean, it’s hardly surprising the group have caught attention of fans and critics alike outside of their native terrain and across the rest of Europe and further afield, making this one-night visit to the Welsh capital a night not to be missed.
words CHLOË EDWARDS
Tickets: £15. Info: 029 2023 2199 / www.clwb.net
