After introducing themselves with their inventive debut single 'London Absurd' last year, emerging duo Hijack Stories have now returned to deliver their expansive debut album 'Chapter II'.
Exploring more of that broad and innovative aesthetic they are looking to establish for themselves, this new thirteen-track collection makes for a wonderfully fresh and immersive listen. Filled with bold and kinetic flavours, a explorative energy, and some killer hooks throughout, 'Chapter II' cements them as one of the more exciting names emerging right now.
So with the new album available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most over the years.
-
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Stakie: First instrument I loved was the drums.
Squid: a classical guitar and a melodica… at the same time.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Stackie: First music I loved when I was young was hip-hop.
Squid: First infatuation was with Queen and Dire Straits via parental proxy, but as a teen of the 90’s it was grungy rock.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Stackie: The first album I remember owning was de la soul three feet high and rising.
Squid: The Simpsons Sing the Blues
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Stackie: Bonita applebum a tribe called quest.
Squid: An unreleased song called Rocking Horse written by a good friend of mine.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Stackie: My habits for writing a song is a go thru some 70s funk samples and find a good pace to write too between 90-95 bpm pick four to five those samples then listen those for a few days then go back to one of those I like and begin the process.
Squid: Not really. Lots of bad habits, but no real rituals… although being barefoot is nice when writing.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Stackie: jadakiss busta fabulous black thought red cafe q-tip.
Squid: Lately some Cut Chemist & DJ Shadow for nostalgia, but I’ve been rinsing the latest albums from Modest Mouse, RTJ and Lil Yatchy… I think they are all fantastic. And a band called Neverly Boys who released their debut album a few years ago and it is now one of my greatest, if not greatest albums of all time. ‘The Dark Side of Everything”.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Stackie: If I could open for anyone at the moment it probably be q-tip outkast or hieroglyphics.
Squid: We’d be a style clash for most of the artists I’d want to open for, so I guess as Hijack Stories, someone like Gorillaz or yeah defo an Outkast would be real fun.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Stackie: The most rewarding thing about being a musician is creating something special within my genre and having a person comment about the feeling they got when they first heard it.
Squid: Finding your people.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Stackie: I try not to get frustrated with the music or being a musician..I want my music to be enjoyed so I need to have fun with it and be at peace with it at all times.
Squid: Running out Weed.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Stackie: The best advice I got was from dave from de la soul once told my never give up on giving out the best in you when it comes down the music game people will try to get you to change but remain true to yourself and the people will gravitate towards you.
Squid: Dave Sitek once gave me grow tips.
-
Hijack Stories' new album 'Chapter II' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.