The unfortunate events of the last year and a half have made changes in just about everybody’s plans. This rings true for Hepcat Dilemma. Just as their great new album, “Art Imitates Life” was released at the end of 2019 the world came to a halt. Shows were cancelled along with the ability to properly promote the album. Plans to start recording a follow-up album were scuttled after just one session and the band searched for safe ways to move forward.
The summer of 2020 found Hepcat Dilemma rehearsing in the backyard of the Farm. While not ideal practicing conditions the band made the best of the situation. With the summer sun blazing overhead, the band worked on developing new material playing acoustically, barefoot on the grass.
As the calendar pages flipped and the colder weather approached, the band moved to Fiasco, the former school turned art colony where Chris had relocated to. Setting up on the former stage the band found a new home and new songs continued to emerge. After months of acoustic practicing, it was a relief to play loud again. The “roar” returned.
While currently on a short break, we catch up with Chris, who provides a little insight into the band’s recent activities. “The rehearsals we’ve been able to have been fantastic,” says Chris. “The new album is coming together beautifully.” As to practicing on the stage at Fiasco: “It’s been neat to sus out our sound in an actual venue.” The band reportedly has over a dozen new songs that are being readied for the new album and Chris is excited to bringing them to life. “Some of the lyrics are really hitting home for me. It makes it easier to emote and truly own a song when the lyrics are so relatable.” Among the new tracks are titles like “Bouncy Song”, “Bender Watch”, “Romper Room”, “Kukla, Fran and Oliver” and “In the Court of Popson Johnson”. Chris says these songs are “some of the best work I’ve ever been involved with.”
Work has already commenced on the new album with the basic tracks of three songs being recorded shortly before the Lockdown began. After months of delay the band returned to the studio in June and resumed work. Once again the mixing board is manned by their longtime producer Matt Vaughan who Chris calls the band’s “personal George Martin. He’s a genius. I’m not interested in working with any other producers any time soon.”
The band plans on getting back to work on the new album as soon as possible. Chris, for one, can’t wait. “We’ve got three songs that are currently in the mixing phase. I’m listening to them over and over tryna figure out if and where and what the harmonies need to be. I can take my time and compose harmonies in the car, no pressure and no witnesses when I sound awful!”
As to when the band may be performing again: “That depends on this crazy world we live in. Best case, I’d imagine we could hit the boards by this winter some time.” Hepcat Dilemma will resume rehearsing over Labor Day Weekend and more sessions should follow quickly. “We’ve got a few curveballs coming,” says Chris with a wry smile. “Expect the unexpected.”