THE INDIE MACHINE

Hot Panda hail from the ‘City of Champions’ otherwise known as Edmonton. They’ve spent the better part of a year touring in support of their first full length album, Volcano Bloody Volcano. Maghan, the drummer from the band recently took some time to talk to The Indie Machine about what’s going on in the world of Hot Panda. Check it out below.

1. Why the name Hot Panda?
Straight up it was a bad joke about what could be on the menu at a Chinese restaurant.

2. Describe you musical style?
Ummmm, a clusterfuck. On the new album especially ‘ecclectic’ is the name of the game- and live there’s definitely a punk rock spirit. But as we always say, we play music we hope you can dance to.

3. How was your SXSW experience this year?
This was our second time at the festival, and like last year, it was semi-unbelievable…I mean our shows
aside, you’re walking down the street and suddenly you see a crowd grouped around what turns out to be Fucked Up, playing Sex Pistols covers on a street corner. Or you’re in line to get your wristbands, and there’s Gwar in full costume next to you in line for the help desk. Crazy! Our shows were fun, really hot, and pretty rambunctious! Lots of Canadians come to see you at SXSW (because they can’t see you in Canada?). It was neat!

4. What can we expect from Hot Panda in 2010? Any new music in the works?
We just recorded a new album at JC/DC studios in Vancouver. I mean just. Like, we finished a few days before we went to Austin. So, yes! 2010 will bring forth a new Hot Panda album, out on Mint Records in the fall I think, that should be pretty durn neat. We’re excited, anyway!

5. Will you be playing any festivals this summer?
We might be hitting up Sled Island, and possibly NXNE…depending!

6. What are 5 bands from Alberta people should know about but probably don’t?
Hmmmm….Sharp Ends, SANS AIDS, Outdoor Minors, The Faunts (ok people probably know about them) and The Wet Secrets (them too….) Most rambunctious stuff from local kids! Grrrrreat!

7. What are your 5 favourite songs @ the moment?
Mine are probably…hmm. This is hard. Well, probably Life’s A Gas (T-Rex), Punchbag (The Bees), Once Was Not Enough (The Bicycles), Lover’s Spit (Broken Social Scene), and maybe Fences by Phoenix! So, you can tell I like pop music?

Hot Panda will be playing two shows in early April in support of Think About Life in Calgary & Edmonton. Check out Myspace for more details. You can visit their website here. Listen too ‘I Tried Very Hard’ from Volcano Bloody Volcano below.

I have been listening to this LP “Family” from Montreal’s “Think About Life” on regular rotation for the last few months and have finally decided to tell you about it. Like you didn’t know right? Well, if you didn’t it’s time to hit your local record store or get online and grab yourself a copy. “Sweet Sixteen” is below.

http://www.myspace.com/thinkaboutlife