Hutch, the self-described twang-pop, post-yacht rock, soft psychers, strike out on the first headline tour to promote Smile and Wave, their euphoric new EP.
Also at this time, the band bids adieu to their long-time collaborator (and erstwhile touring member) harpist Eva Lunny. She released her solo album Sonics & Meditations via Bella Union, no less. The EP’s majestic closing track ‘See It All’ was co-written with her.
Hutch’s debut EP
Smile and Wave is the Brighton fourpiece’s first major release to date. It shimmers and shines with jangly guitars, time-jolting tempo shifts, and angelic four-part vocal harmonies, rosy-eyed harp-twinkles, and rapturous psychedelic explorations.
There are songs about rainbows in the sky and trips to icy, winter lakes, and the bitter-sweet sensation of getting out of bed. Hutch’s world is an innocent, simple one that conjures magic of its own.
The band prefers to focus on nature’s elemental beauty to provide a pleasurable catharsis. As they say: “We just choose to focus on the good things and small moments of peace in a big, hectic world.”
Next steps for Hutch
To learn loads more about a band that is chasing the sun, why not tune into Transmission with Paul Dupree on City Sound Radio on Wednesday, 28 February? Yours truly chatted with JP and Dan about their ambitions, inspiration, and, um, Starsky and Hutch.
The conversation will air before the band’s gig at Chelmsford’s Hot Box on Friday, 1 March. I saw them at their mesmerising best at Lewes Psych Festival recently. They are sure to bring the same colour and joie de vivre to a late winter’s evening in Essex. So come down and smile and wave!
Head over to the band’s Bandcamp page to check their new EP and their back catalogue.
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