A Dirty Dozen with WILL HUBERT of ELEKTRIC ANIMALS – April 2024

According to a recent press release: “Denver based duo Elektric Animals – comprised of Nick Sanders and Will Hubert – have today shared their earnest new single “Ready To Go”, taken from their forthcoming EP A Bear And The Bull. The song showcases the collaborative spirit of Elektric Animals, with additional guitars by Lincoln Parish (formerly Cage The Elephant) and vocals by Chandra Desantis. The song was recorded in Denver with producer Eric Everhart, mixed in Virginia by Will Beasley (The Dangerous Summer, Turnstile), and mastered by Paul Leavitt (The Used, Yellowcard, All Time Low). Drawing inspiration from the timeless allure of 90s chart-toppers and the pulsating energy of the early 80s new wave movement, Elektric Animals crafts a musical time capsule, bridging the gap between cherished musical eras while incorporating modern sensibilities.” We get Will to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

The best parts to listen to that aren’t obvious are our friend Chandra’s back-up vocals. The engineers really blended them in well, but if you pay attention, you can hear her voice clearly, and her harmony choices are amazing. They make the songs sound so cool.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

It was seeing The Black Crowes live when I was 13. My hometown puts on a big free concert every year and they just happened to be headlining that year when I was coming into my rambunctious years of rebelling and rock and roll.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Initially it was classic rock. I got the on best of Led Zeppelin cd and hearing the drums on that just blew my mind. Nothing is cooler than Bonham whacking away at the skins. After high school my taste changed away from classic rock to more indie stuff like The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Eagles of Death Metal, and Cage The Elephant.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Damon Albarn, he is the undisputed king of collaboration. It would be an honor.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

Running, rock climbing, snowboarding, and watching Cheers and Arrested Development on repeat.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

We are Alternative Rock which may be the broadest genre that could ever exist so I tell people we are 90’s rock, 80’s new wave, 70’s groove rock, and 60’s surf rock rolled up and packaged with all the new bells and whistles that modern technology has to offer.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I cook, nobody really drinks, and either Dre or Kendall would probably be playing guitar for the sing a long.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

We saw Billy Murray in a dress at SXSW and I was nervous just to be 20 feet from him.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part of being a musician is the endorphins when you record something sick and then listen to it back. It’s even better while it’s still a demo. I would be a group therapy counselor if I wasn’t a musician.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

Can I gift you a million dollars? Answer is yes. I’m not tired of answering any questions yet. I hope to not become that jaded at any point.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I wish I would have taken learning covers more seriously as a teenager. My songwriting would be light years ahead of where we are now if I didn’t pretend like only playing originals was the true way to being in a band.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

The Strokes second album Room On Fire. It’s a masterpiece.

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Category: Interviews