HILLTOP HOODS

An interview with Suffa from Hilltop Hoods

Q. What’s your favourite song to perform?

Probably the answer would be anything new (laughs). Apart from the it’s nice to have a challenge and figure out how to make something work. It’s nice having guests up as well, it’s sometimes the most fun part of the set.

Q. On one track, Debris did a verse, why has he never done verse before?

You’ll have to ask Debris that man! We used to write his verses; we were like his ghost-writers. Today Debris barely says a word during interviews.

Q. You guys do a lot of solo tracks, and sometimes when you do a restrung version, you’ll bring on another band member. Is there any solo tracks you’ve done that you wish featured Pressure as well?

You know what? I’ve never thought about. I hadn’t thought about it until you just said it then. That might be cool. Originally some of the singles on the new album were single tracks, and Pressure ended up taking a verse out to perform. It was an opportunity to do something a bit different.

Q. Are you thinking about doing a restrung of ‘The Great Expanse’?

Definitely want to do another restrung, whether it’s off this album or not, we’ll definitely do it.

Q. What’s the most bizarre fan encounter you’ve ever had?

At a couple of shows people would give themselves nosebleed while ‘Nosebleed’ actually plays. It’s odd stuff. It doesn’t get much weirder than that. 

Q. What’s your favourite song you’ve ever written?

I know it’s a bit of cop-out, but any artist would say the same thing. Whatever is the most recent thing I’ve written. 

Q. Oasis has Wonderwall and Radiohead have Creep, is there one song you have that you don’t like to perform?

There’s a lot. I don’t go back and listen to our older music. You get older, and you evolve into a human being, and you move ahead in your career. So, I have a lot of songs like that, too many to mention.

Q. Are there any pre-show rituals you partake in?

We always sing a Beastie Boys song before we go on stage.

Q. Would you ever get the two remaining Beastie Boys members on a track?

I would love to, I don’t think it would be possible. They don’t seem very interested in doing anything. I don’t think they’re going to jump onto some middle-aged rappers album.

Q. Who do you draw the most inspiration from?

Well, you are what you eat. I try to listen to very lyrical things whenever I’m working on a new album.

Q. What was your favourite bit about touring with Eminem?

When we played Wellington, we were a bit nervous about how the crowd would take an Australian hip-hop group. But the reception was amazing. To grab that crowd there was a really good moment.