Hank & Cupcakes has made quite an impression on the NY music scene since moving from Israel almost 2 years ago. Call them the dynamic duo as they write and perform their own catchy-as-hell pop songs with Hank on bass and Cupcakes as vocals and on drums. They are giving pop music a much needed kick in the ass so no need to feel ashamed about knowing the words to these songs and no lip synching around here because they’re quite talented!JSD caught up with the couple before they took the stage at SOB’s where the audience was privy to some new joints as well as EP favorites “Pleasure Town” and “Ain’t No Love.” Read on as we talk Cuba, wrestling and naked people.
JSD: How was show at South Paw?
Cupcakes: Great! We actually had a really busy weekend. We did the danger at 3rd Ward. It was a wild party with thousands of people… naked people in the back! It was really cool and a late night. Then we drove to Philly the next day to perform then came back to Brooklyn to do South Paw.
Hank: We didn’t get much sleep…
JSD: So how has the transition to NY been for you?
H&C: It was very easy for us to move here and it felt very natural. We love it here.
JSD: How did H&C come to be?
C: Well we met a very long time ago, but we started H&C 2.5 years ago when we decided that we were moving to NY. With that decision, we changed everything we were doing musically working intensively every day, which we still do, to get it ready…
JSD: Where were you before, musically?
H: We actually had another band before H&C and the music was much more spread out, musically. After awhile we felt like we were getting dried out from inspiration and we wanted to get out, which led us to Havana for 6 months to study music. Soon after, we came to NY.
JSD: Do you find a difference in the reception in Israel versus here?
C: We played a bit as H&C before we moved here, but mostly as opening acts. We actually got an amazing response in Israel, but I think people were still shocked at the music because it was a foreign sound. I think in NY, people are more open to things, which is why we love it here so much. We’ve seen such weird things…
JSD: Ok, what is really like to work together?
C: Well sometimes when we rehearse- it doesn’t happen a lot, but we get into wrestling matches to just get it out of our systems, but we do love working together!
Hank & Cupcakes: myspace.com/hankandcupcakes
Hank & Cupcakes “She’s Lost Control” By Joy Division
Images by Jasmina Tomic
