Hint Mountains Interview: Indie Mixtape 20

Heartland rock is a subgenre designed to conjure pointed imagery: roadside detritus; cornfields glimpsed from the passenger window; huge, cloudless skies. Dave Benton, LVL UP member and the person behind indie-folk challenge Hint Mountains, manages to pack all of that into only one tune. “In A Dream,” the opening observe of Hint Mountains’ newest album, Into The Burning Blue, follows a pensive narrator who ponders their place on this planet, gazing into strangers’ home windows on a nocturnal bike trip.

Whereas most heartland rock tells some model of fiction, Into The Burning Blue is basically autobiographical, grappling with the tip of Benton’s eight-year relationship. Change is a recurring theme right here, lyrically and sonically. Benton, alongside engineer Craig Hendrix, toys with big-budget ‘80s signifiers like synths and drum machines to enrich his stylistic shift. Regardless of the novelty, Benton sounds proper at house.

Following the report’s launch final month, Benton sat down with Uproxx to speak about Nina Simone, getting his first tattoo just lately, his knack for crocheting, and extra in our newest Q&A.

What are 4 phrases you’ll use to explain your music?

Dreamy, reflective, pure, wobbly.

It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and persons are nonetheless listening to your music. How would you prefer it to be remembered?

Welp, hopefully I’ll nonetheless be alive as a result of I’d solely be 59 years previous however hopefully my mates and I’ll bear in mind taking part in music collectively, making the albums, touring and laughing collectively. I can’t actually start to consider what the music would imply to somebody exterior of my private life, I simply hope it’s all good reminiscences for the individuals who have been concerned.

Who’s the one who has most impressed your work, and why?

Is likely to be my good friend Liam Betson AKA Liam The Youthful. I admired him early on and realized one thing from his music concerning the energy of easy phrases and learn how to provide a type of emotional connection by music that may be very direct. I believe I’ve carried that with me a very long time.

The place did you eat the perfect meal of your life and what was it?

Trad Room in Brooklyn. The dish is that this actual easy, calmly seared salmon over rice. So good! My greatest good friend Ben introduced me there after which I took my associate on our first date.

Inform us about the perfect live performance you’ve ever attended.

Broadcast in 2009! They have been unimaginable. Performed with noise and projections to open the set for 20 minutes after which crushed the hits again to again for like an hour.

What tune by no means fails to make you emotional?

Nina Simone – “Why? (The King of Love is Useless)”

What’s the very last thing you Googled?

Florists in Alhambra, CA

The place’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed whereas on tour?

I bear in mind it very properly, however we’re not gonna get into that proper now…

What’s your favourite metropolis on this planet to carry out and what’s town you hope to carry out in for the primary time?

I truthfully don’t play favorites with cities, however I’d like to carry out in Tokyo at some point.

What’s one piece of recommendation you’d return in time to offer to your 18-year-old self?

Be good to your pals and attain out to them usually.

What’s certainly one of your hidden abilities?

I can crochet fairly properly.

For those who had 1,000,000 {dollars} to donate to charity, what trigger would you help and why?

Looks like beating a useless horse, and possibly hope is misplaced at this level, but when I had that type of cash I’d in all probability donate it to environmental organizations who’re combating the local weather disaster.

What are your ideas about AI and the way forward for music?

I don’t actually take into consideration AI music that a lot to be trustworthy! I’ve enjoyable with the movies the place they make Hank Hill and Spongebob sing Nickelback and System of a Down.

You’re throwing a music competition. Give us the dream lineup of 5 artists that may carry out with you and the situation it could be held.

Okayyyy… We’re going with center of the summer time, swelteringly sizzling Shea Stadium in Brooklyn with Ovlov, Little Huge League, Saintseneca, Slight Of and Yowler. Fairly positive I’ve performed that present earlier than however I do know it’s assured to be an excellent time.

Who’s your favourite individual to comply with on social media?

I like seeing the work of @hakuaki.potter on Instagram. They make these stunning and hilarious ceramic cats that make me smile.

What’s the story behind your first or favourite tattoo?

I obtained my first tattoo actually just lately! A little bit operating horse and in addition a blue flower to commemorate this new album, really.

What’s your pre-show ritual?

Pee earlier than it’s too late?

Who was your first superstar crush?

Sandy Cheeks lol

You’ve a month off and the assets to take a dream trip. The place are you going and who’s coming with you?

Oooh! I’d like to discover the South Pacific & New Zealand, mountain climbing, biking, swimming and journaling with my associate.

What’s your greatest worry?

I’m not keen on bugs and I’m engaged on it however I’d say I’m nonetheless fairly afraid of them.

Into The Burning Blue is on the market now through Lame-O Information. Discover extra info right here.