Must Attend Show: This Hisses

Sled Island Music & Arts Festival is taking place in Calgary from June 19 to 22; This Hisses hail from Winnipeg and are playing at the Palomino (upstairs) on Thursday, June 20, at 11:30pm. We caught up with the notable band to glean a little more insight before their show.

Members: Julia Ryckman, Patrick Short and JP Perron

Genre: Post-Punk/Goth/Surf

From: Winnipeg

Latest album and where we can get it: At Sloth records in Calgary, through any store that deals with Outside distribution, iTunes, and off-stage at our Sled show!

How do the Prairies inspire your music? The isolation of Winnipeg is deeply felt. Big-name bands, art shows, and events often skip Winnipeg or are few and far between. We can’t always go out and hear the music of our heart’s deepest desire, so we must make it instead. 

What is your song writing process like? What do you write about? Lyrically, I (Julia) write about personal experiences or inspirations that hold the strongest emotions and/or images. Musically, Pat and I contribute riffs, and carve out songs that are dynamic and cinematic.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a band? Know your scene and find musicians who you think are the greatest people on earth. You spend a lot of time with them, so choose well!

What is the biggest challenge in attracting an audience?  Every city is different, but the best way to attract an audience is to play with local bands that you love and meet the movers and shakers of that scene. Word of mouth is worth as much as a feature article, if not more. 

What are you most excited to do/see while you’re in Calgary? Discover new bands, see some bands we idolize, and support our friends’ bands!