Hinds (formerly known as Deers) recently brought their raw, instrumental pop outside of Europe for the first time – and Australia was the lucky country in question. Quite simply, these girls kick ass. Their lo-fi production might remind you of your own high-school garage band, except that Hinds have way more skill and are actually enjoyable to listen to.
Moreover, they’ve built considerable success in their stunningly short existence – and they look like they’re having a lot of fun while they’re doing it. It’s inspirational stuff, and we were stoked to be able to spend a day with the crew in Sydney. Here’s how it went down:
We kick off our day at FBi Radio. This is Ana’s face right after she accidentally said ‘Bombay Beach’ instead of ‘Bondi Beach’ on air. Cute. Since this is the first time the four Spanish ladies have toured outside of Europe, I think we can forgive them. Would it be weird for us to say ‘senorita’ right now? Shoutout to all the senoritas and also Justin Timberlake.
Ade is a huge architecture fan, so we head to the brand spankin’ new Frank Gehry building at UTS. Frank is somewhat of a god in architecture circles, and his buildings are crafted like they’ve been gracefully spewed from futuristic apocalyptica. He was brought in to add some Jewish architectural swag to UTS, since it’s previously been declared a horrendous eyesore on the Sydney skyline.
Inside, we find some trippy reflectiveness that will probably appeal to stoners and Tame Impala fans. Being in here is bringing back some fond memories – I studied for six years at UTS, made a grand total of three friends, attended a grand total of seven lectures and passed every subject. Boom! The girls reflect on their university time in Madrid, but who needs degrees when you’re touring the world?
Carlotta being a ballet queen and showing us some mid-air ballerina action inside a UTS classroom. Is it just me, or does she kind of look like Nike’s Air Jordan logo? Also, she has Nike socks on. #SUBLIMINALADVERTISING #AIRCARLOTTA
Amber taking a photo of us taking a photo on her Canon AE-1. This was one of the first cameras we ever owned, and the official camera of the 1984 Olympics. If you need that retro aesthetic, then cop one of these – we’re dropping that cam knowledge on your ass mid-way through an article. You’re welcome.
Architecture is tiring – Ice coffees for all! All four of the girls even order the same thing at the cafe. Again, cute.
We’re now escaping the urban grit of the city, putting our tourist hats on and heading to Bombay Beach aka Bondi Beach! The girls are excited. Carlotta being cheeky in the back seat.
Ana riding shotgun.
DIY tattoo inspired by Tupac? This is the stuff that dreams are made of. Only those who truly live the thug life will understand.
The whole squad ready for a swim. Hinds are pretty shocked when we tell them that we haven’t swum at Bondi before, but even more surprised when they find out that there’s tonnes of other beaches you can go to if you don’t want to pay your entire mortgage for parking. Shoutout to Clovelly and its lack of sand.
Hinds in Bondi looking like a 90s revivalist R&B supergroup. Posing game on lock.
The girls have just been at a fashion shoot, so Ana’s still in modelling mode as we strut down the runway/ramp. Work it.
Having fun with towels flying gently in that Bondi breeze. #JUSTTOURISTTHINGS
Apparently this is Ana’s ‘Baywatch’ impersonation. You might not see the Pamela Anderson similarities just yet, but you had to be there.
Now, we head into the heart of Chinatown and wait outside our spiritual home, Goodgod Small Club for sound check. Here are Hinds, smoking ciggies and forming a hair-braiding chain at the same damn time. This is multitasking at it’s best, we would have joined in but we’re balding and bound to look like Michael Klim in two years.
Getting braids done on the front stoop of Goodgod. This is what you want in life.
Where’s the Hard Yakka? The girls get their hands dirty and carry all the instruments inside, while we stand awkwardly to the side and take photographs. We would have helped, but you know – we’re uncoordinated and probably would’ve damaged $3674 worth of equipment.
Downing that Tecate! This is some Mexican piss that you’re supposed to squeeze a lime in before you drink it. Fancy. Maybe we would drink more beer if they had Tecate on tap in the clubs (BYO lime in the bumbag), but until then we’ll keep on sculling VB longnecks in an alleyway.
Fuck all of your multi-million dollar production sets with cheesy visuals and unecessary fireworks. Hinds coming in raw with that bed sheet backdrop and graffiti logo. Amber on the drums, about to go Travis Barker apeshit on your earholes. #LINENSWAG
Fans have begun to arrive, and the request for photos have commenced. A selfie with Hinds is bound to get all your pals double-tappin’.
Ade sipping on a little liquid courage before stepping onstage. They’re all quite nervous on their debut visit Down Under, and rightly so – they’ve dived deep into their own pockets to travel this far and get some new fans and put on a killer show. Stuff like this is the reason music keeps the world spinning. Respect to Hinds, you’re all MVPs in our eyes.
Slappin’ da bass. The rest of the girls gifted Ade this bass guitar for her birthday, figuring that she’d learn on the job. Nek minit, touring Australia in a band. It just goes to show you how far #FRIENDSHIP can really take you.
The nervousness disappears, and Hinds slay it onstage with smiles.
We’ll leave you with Hinds’ own band motto: “Out shit, our rules”. There’s really nothing else to say besides that. Thanks to Hinds for hanging out, and we hope that they’ll be back in a heartbeat.
