Haxby Swango release their first free-to-download EP

Vocalist Hutchy Swango and keyboardist Jack Swango craft “monolithic mega-disco soundscapes that smash at the senses and burrow into the brain pushing out killer hip-hop-style beats and massive pop choruses” on a trio of tracks – 5Deep, Raindance and Bye Bye... Explode.

“This whole EP gives a very colourful picture of what this band is about and it’s a very strong foot forward for us,” says Hutchy, whose music-making is influenced by the grimy diet of hard dance, hard rock and rap of his youth.

“The three tracks are all really strong. On 5Deep, I wanted to make it sound like one part was influenced by world music and the next by an American R&B beat, as well as electronic rock.”

On Raindance!, Jack stresses that cultural and visual influences are as important to the Haxby Swango sound as the musical DNA. “This is a standout track for us and it’s heavily influenced by anime themes and j-pop culture,” he reveals.

The final track, Bye Bye... Explode, affirms how the pair have progressed as musicians, developing the song over time. “That beat was a lot different to start with; we got a lot better at producing, re-did it and created this R&B and electro-house, hard-dance-influenced song,” says Jack.

Haxby Swango formed in 2014 from the ashes of rock act Astrae with that band’s founding members at the helm.