The sky had just opened up and rain began to fall in sporadic clusters as I entered the extravagant floor just above The Space Ballroom in Hamden, CT on July 28th. Once up the stairs, I was to greet the infamous Hot Flash Heat Wave whose presence alone was enough to make it entirely possible to forget about the dreary circumstances outside.
Composed of a triple-threat on vocals Adam Abildgaard (guitar), Ted Davis (bass), Nathaniel Blüm (guitar) alongside Nick Duffy (drums) and Jared Johnson (self-proclaimed “synth-master,” and justifiably so), HFHW has been cooking up a storm of their own creation, one that’s worthy of global attention (if my biased opinion is worth noting!)
Hot Flash Heat Wave embodies just what their band name describes: the crisp, stomach-turning thrill of a summer high with the sweltering euphoria of the peak of a heat wave. They combine surf-rock nostalgia with sickeningly sweet synth-based glory, and it’s a combination that works as well as PB&J, even for a random, teeny crowd in a bar-turned-concert hall in the middle of the rural northeast.
“We joked about staying here instead of at an Airbnb or hotel,” Ted recalled with a laugh as we stood in the hall of the apartment-like upstairs green room during our portrait session. The Space Ballroom, nestled into the middle-of-nowhere Connecticut, is an unlikely stomping ground for this San Franciscan five piece, yet they entered with an open mind (and maybe a little sleep deprivation).
Positioned on lush, red armchairs in the large living room and making coffee in the attached kitchen area, the boys took a stature similar to that of a bunch of friends simply hanging out, and I guess, that’s really what it was. Adam, Ted, Nathaniel, and Nick have been friends since high school, experimenting with the Bay Area’s garage-rock scene and flitting about on their own until they finally joined their musical expertize together to create one entity: Hot Flash Heat Wave.
As of recent, the scene has become overridden with lo-fi masterminds, armed with fuzzy guitars and hip-swaying hooks, each attempting to emulate the sounds of their predecessors (most notably, Mac Demarco, King Krule, and Beach Fossils, to name a few). Arguably, Hot Flash fits into that category. Even with that said, though, there’s something about them that pushes them to the front of the pack.
Since their debut with 2015’s Neapolitan and subsequent launch to stardom as Bay Area powerhouses, the boys have been in constant turbo-drive, showing no signs of stopping for a breather. Their most recent release, “Glo Ride” (check out the accompanying music video that just came out!), is an ode to and late night drives and fleeting love. Being the first release since their sophomore record, Soaked (2017), it is certainly a refreshing reintroduction to what has made fans fall in love with them in the first place: their irresistible charm and ability to transition from the brink of shimmery cool to a quick-paced static buzz. Played live, it’s even more of a dream.
As they took the stage in Hamden, the atmosphere was immediately heavy with energy, the audience preparing themselves to jump into action with the introduction of the first verse. Throughout their entire set, the tiny, dimly-lit room became a dance floor, a space where you could be unapologetically free, limbs flying about, and a widespread transformation into bobble head-like posture in full swing.
During their last song, Jared set the crowd into a swell, poised with an accordion tucked into his elbow and a smile bright enough to direct air traffic. Looking around and witnessing the absolutely mesmerized appearance of the crowd surrounding me was truly such a beautiful sight, only adding to the already elated state I was in due to hearing songs that rival Mozart live.
As a fan, it’s always daunting to think about the prospect of meeting a musician/band that you really look up to and whose art you hold close to your heart. There are the “can’t be bothered’s” who reek an aura that says that they’re completely unapproachable and “too cool for fans” (which can be disheartening!)
With the boys of Hot Flash, though, I immediately felt at home. Supporting genuinely wonderful people who also happen to be immensely talented is one of the greatest feelings in the world and such can be promised to be exactly the case with them, even when I asked them to do ridiculous things for the photos we took pre-gig. (I’d especially like to note Jared’s Vogue-esque technique in posing with a lime in hand and Ted’s willingness to pretend that he was taking a shower in order for me to get the perfect shot).
This tour, the boys accompany Austin’s own Summer Salt and The Symposium of Chicago, IL, and it’s truly a lineup you won’t want to miss if you appreciate good tunes and want to experience three of the best in all of their glory.
“It’s kind of like a family road trip from hell,” Ted laughed, in regards to this tour, probably skimming through nightmarish memories of sleepless nights driving through winding roads and cramming into the van alongside the rest of the crew. Touring, though definitely having an emotional and physical toll, always brings the opportunity for something greater: exposure in new places, being able to meet new people, and even to chance indulge in a “Limp Briskit” from the pub next to the venue.
One thing’s for certain, at least from my point of view, I’d love to have the opportunity to see them shred again and I look forward to seeing the great things that they’re bound to do in the future!
Their current leg is currently just about half-way done- make sure to check them out before it comes to a close! Dates can be found here.
Also, make sure to keep up with the lads via their social media:
