Interview with Vocalist Jin of The Haptics (Canada)
By Mick Michaels
The Cosmick View: Hello, and welcome to The Cosmick View/MBM Ten Pounder! Thanks for taking some time to chat with us!
CV: Describe your definition of the band’s sound and style and how does
that definition uniquely describe the
music?
Jin: I’d say we’re a unique blend of punk, post-punk, alternative rock
and grunge. We definitely veer into the darker side of this kind of music, with
occasional gothic undertones. I’d describe my personal style as “soft goth” and
think that translates into the lyrics and vocal styles.
CV: Today, everyone talks about artist
and audience connection. Is such a level of connection actually achievable for
an artist and if so, how have you made the connection to your fans?
Jin: We’re always so grateful to everyone who comes out to our shows
and listens to our stuff online. We try to connect personally with people who
reach out and let them know how valuable they are, and how much they mean to
us: whether it’s through Instagram, Facebook, or in person, we’re always happy
to chat about music and/or anything else!
CV: Is fan interaction an important part
of the band’s inner culture?
Jin: I’m always thrilled, nervous, and excited when someone listens to
our stuff. It never stops. So yeah, I’m extremely grateful we’re getting some spins
in streaming and radio! It’s truly exciting and I think at a humanistic level,
deeply humbling.
CV: Can a band truly interact with its
fans and still maintain a level of personal privacy without crossing the line
and giving up their “personal space” in your opinion?
Jin: I think it’s important to be warm but exercise boundaries around
your personal life, including relationships, etc. I made my own personal
Instagram private for this reason since it features family and close friends. I
definitely have friends who also count as friends so it’s not an exclusive
differentiation. But me in my personal life is quite different than the persona
I exercise on stage.
CV: Is music, and its value, viewed
differently around the world in your opinion? If so, what do you see as
the biggest difference in such multiple views among various cultures?
Jin: Honestly everywhere I go, music is an extremely important and
appreciated part of the culture. I’ve been lucky enough to go to stage operas
in Beijing, techno concerts in Berlin, gigantic house music shows in Seoul,
South Korea, and intimate little concerts/gigs in New York: it’s really
inspiring to see music be such an important part of culture. Of course the
music really differs from place to place. That’s why it’s so awesome to me to
meet people from different cultures and hear about their music taste. There’s
so much to share.
CV: Do you feel that a band that has an
international appeal, will tend to connect more so to American audiences? Would
they be more enticed or intrigued to see the band over indigenous acts because
of the foreign flavor?
Jin: You could argue that there is music that has an everyday appeal,
like some pop music. But sort of niche post-punk we’ve found is popular in some
really random-seeming spots all over North America and Europe. I also think
that Canadian acts are pretty well supported in Canada, where we live. There’s
a lot of pride in local talent.
CV: Has modern-day digital technology made everyone an artist on some level in
your opinion? Have the actual lines of what really is an artist been blurred?
Jin: Absolutely not in my opinion. Anyone who creates and expresses
themselves through a medium is an artist. I’m thrilled to see that online
forums have given so many people the opportunity to find fans, connect with
audiences, and grow their popularity.
CV: How would you describe the difference
between an artist who follows trends and one who sets them?
Jin: If you’re cognizant you’re following a trend and offer an
extremely skilled version of it, or a spin on it…I have the utmost respect. On
the other hand, true or subversive trend-setting is often only seen in
retrospect. A lot of trends start in little subgenres that aren’t so popular at
the time and sort of take off in later years.
CV: Has music overall been splintered
into too many sub-genres in an effort to appease fan tastes in your opinion?
And has such fan appeasements, in actuality, weakened music’s impact as a whole
by dividing audiences?
Jin: I absolutely love sub-genres. What a fun way to describe yourself!
What would you be? I’m sort of a soft pansy-goth badass, personally. I once
participated in a compilation album from Aural Sects called “Slime-Punk”. No
instructions on the track, just whatever came to mind. I think creating these
sub-genres allows people to find places they belong and find identification in.
I do think it’s important perhaps to include a larger subsection of music genre
in the title (like Slime Punk has Punk) to indicate which fans they may appeal
to.
CV: What can fans expect to see coming
next from you?
Jin: We’ve got the last song on our 3-song EP Zero Gravity dropping
later this fall. We’re also playing at Fox Cabaret in Vancouver on October 25th
and another smaller show on the 28th. Stay tuned to our socials for more! We’re
always creating new stuff.
CV: Thanks again for taking some time and talking. It is greatly appreciated.
Check out The Haptics at:
www.thehaptics.ca
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