Interviews: Hangarvain

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Alternative Rock band, Hangarvain from Italy. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Oh, it's been so many years ago... I remember we were looking for an original name, not overused or predictable. We wrote a list of terms we found inspiring and tried to match them without any specific order to see if something sounding cool jumped out. As soon as Hangarvain appeared we thought it was perfect. It was strange enough but solid and we loved it put together 'hangar', the place where airplanes are parked before the flight (we're very passionate about aviation), and the adjective 'vain' that gave us the sensation of vacuum and something about to happen.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I started the band together with Sergio, our singer, and we're both very bulimic when talking about music to listen. In our playlists, you can find any kind of genre, from rock to jazz, from soul to blues. We also come from the South of Italy so we found an interesting assonance between our very specific culture and some of the American southern rock main themes, not the political ones, but a sort of scenario where our stories take place. We love writing about our hometown, personal relations, dreams, and in general the values we consider as our legacy. But good music and playing cool things have always been central in our aim to shape our sound, so at the end of the day Hangarvain is a freaky mixture of southern moods with more rock, blues, alternative, and soul vibes.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

I know Sergio since we were very young and we used to play together a lot in different bands years before the born of Hangarvain in 2013. We changed the band lineup several times but all the people that played on our records or live, is part of the family. With the actual musicians in the band, we have strong relations, we are true friends and love to spend time together.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

This is very hard since we listen to many things, I should tell you at least a favorite artist for each genre of music we like and the list would be definitely too long. I'll give you my one indeed. I'm a rock guitarist and can't pay enough tribute to Jimi Hendrix, not only for the impact he had on further generations of guitar players but for the development of the style and the approach to stage performance.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Life and any experience or emotion we live. Music for us means something that enriches our journey on this planet and our songs are like a photograph of moments that left a sign on our souls.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our latest show was in Turin last November. After that, we took a break to work on our new album that will be out on February 24th and we'll be back on tour starting the very same day of the release.

7. Where would you like to act?

We love playing live anywhere people want to share true emotions and a solid rock show. There's no place better than another, we like touring Italy as well as playing out of our country. We have a long tour just planned and we hope to be able to go back to playing in England this summer.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

I'd say Rivals Sons. They're really one of the coolest and freshest new things that happened lately and it would be awesome to share something together.

9. Whom not?

False people and shortcut diggers.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

During the years, we played thousands of shows all around Europe, England, and Eastern Countries, but sometimes anxiety, stress, or bad feelings can still happen. For me, the only cure is going on stage and giving out everything you got and more. Try to not overthink or be too rational. Making music is really about feeling free and staying well, so enjoy the moment, breathe deep, and play loud.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Oh, they are really too many, but I'd tell you some of the ones we had the chance to spend time together. I'd like to cite Thomas Silver, former Hardcore Superstar guitarist and one of my favorite human beings, we recorded a song together and toured Italy a couple of years ago; Fabrizio Grossi, bass player of Supersonic Blues Machine, a true legend and our producer for the new album; L.A. Guns and Y&T, for everything we learned from them about mindset and attitude when we were on tour together.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

When you travel a lot on tour, a lot of weird things happen. I think I've been asked to leave my signature quite on every part of a human body and been kidnapped a couple of times... Of course most parts of the funniest things happened on tour, I'm not allowed to talk about them publically haha

13. What do you think of your fans?

We always had a strong connection with our fanbase. Our motto is #UNITEDWESTAND so we love to spend time together and share feelings and emotions. The guys that follow Hangarvain know us and feel to be friends of us, and that's exactly what we feel about them. We're one thing and couldn't do what we do without their great support which I can't be more grateful for.

14. What do you think of our site?

It's really cool, your webzine is one of the most professional and interesting in the business and we are very thankful for the great job you do every day for the music and the scene.

15. Something to add?

Sure! We have a new album called Soul Desire that will be out on February 24th and we can't wait for all of you to listen to it. It's our fifth record and we couldn't be more proud of it. It's been produced between Italy and California and it's definitely the best one we made until today. We will start the promotional tour on the same day of the release so we give you an appointment in a month to talk about all these exciting things about to happen. Thanks for your support!