One chilly November afternoon, a bright orange and black logo crossed my computer screen for a button order. The image was of a rock-and-roll-styled girl laughing modestly, with text ‘The Hot Place’ strategically placed… between her legs!
I thought to myself, “Ok, I need to know what this logo is all ABOUT”. Turns out, The Hot Place is an awesome band with a brand new album out. A few tracks into my first listen, I realized I needed to get an interview with writer, composer, and singer, Lisa King. Her music, her vibe, and her story is just too fascinating to pass up. So, here it is! Please enjoy this chat with Lisa, and be sure to check out “The Language of Birds” available on Etsy, Bandcamp, and locally if you are in Atlanta.
Congrats on the release of your new album, “The Language of Birds”! How would you describe the overall sound and vibe?
I wanted to create an album that encompassed all of the 60’s and 80’s influences I grew up with, and I also wanted to record in a really top-notch studio with vintage analog gear, to really get an authentic experience from those eras. I think the overall sound is very pop-rock, with a little bit of psychedelia and post-punk atmospherics. Maybe a little gothy, like The Cure or Siouxsie and the Banshees, but with stretches that might remind listeners of The Doors or Pink Floyd. As the vocalist and bassist for the band, I think the album has a lot of influence driven by bass guitar. I’ve had fans compare my vocals to Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, Blondie, and Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star, but it’s kind of hard to distance yourself from your own voice, and be objective. My guitar player has always referred to me as “The Punk Rock Karen Carpenter!”
Do you have a favorite song from the collection?
It’s funny, I have favorite songs to play, and favorites to listen to. I really enjoy playing “Petals of Ruin”, “Sad”, “Run Away Today”, and “Begin the Fall” live. I think when I listen to the finished album, “20th Century” and “Nighttime Summerman” remain my favorites. I’m really proud of how those tracks turned out. Perhaps the crowning achievement for me was when the legendary Richard Lloyd (ex-Television guitarist) agreed to play the solo in “Saturn Moved”. That really made that song a stand out, and every time I hear his guitar work on Track Two, I am amazed and humbled.