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Philadelphia-based Americana band Hoots and Hellmouth relied on its fans’ donations to finance its most recent album, “Salt,” and EP “Face First in the Dirt.”
What a difference a year makes. In 2011, Sean Hoots and his band were touring for more than 250 days. Yet this year, Hoots and crew slowed down the touring and he bought a house.
“We’re actually in the middle of moving and we’ve got to get it done before the tour,” he explains during a recent interview from Philadelphia. “There’s some pressure there, but I’m sure we’ll be fine. My wife is helping out a lot and we’ll get it done.”
Hoots is the frontman for the Americana band Hoots and Hellmouth. The band consists of Hoots, Rob Berliner, Todd Erk and Mike Reilly. It released its latest album, “Salt,” in 2011 and has been touring in support of it.
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Hoots and Hellmouth With Porter Draw WHEN: 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27 WHERE: Low Spirits Bar & Stage, 2823 Second NW HOW MUCH: $8 at www.holdmyticket.com or 886-1251 |
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“It’s been a really great record to get behind and play live,” he says. “The songs come across better in our live set.”
That is the reason the band stopped by Horseshack Studios in Davenport, Iowa, to record a session for Daytrotter. (Daytrotter is a website that hosts recording sessions with many popular and typically upcoming indie music acts and streams them for members.)
Hoots says the experience was laid back and the band would like to get back and record there.
“They have a well-oiled machine there,” he explains. “We got in around 10 a.m. and set up. They put mikes on us and we recorded four songs from ‘Salt.’ We ended up being out of the studio around noon.”
Hoots says the reason the band wanted to do the session was to give fans a different take on its music. The studios use analog recording and everything is lo-fi.
“It gives a different sound to the music by stripping away all of the polish,” he says. “What you are getting is our music in its rawest form. It makes the listener concentrate on the music itself.”
Hoots and Hellmouth is one of the many bands to not be on a label, yet still record music and market it to the masses.
While making “Salt” the band utilized Kickstarter, a website where donations are accepted to help finance arts project, to raise money for the album. With a modest goal of $6,000, the band reached $10,000 quickly. It eventually ended up earning more than $23,000.
“What’s great about the way we did that is all of the support we got,” he says.
Reprint story -- Email the reporter at agomez@abqjournal.com. Call the reporter at 505-823-3921
