Hate At First Sight
Blending post-punk energy, industrial textures, melodic hooks, and synth-driven atmospheres, Hate At First Sight opens up about influences, creativity, resilience, and the deeply personal journey behind Familiar Mutations.
1. Hate At First Sight combines post-punk, alternative rock, hardcore, industrial, and synth-driven textures. How did you develop this particular blend of influences, and what makes these seemingly different styles work together for you?
For me, I grew up listening to everything from the Cars, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, etc with my parents. Over time, I found 80’s rock and what not First band that blew me away was the Pixies “Trompe le Monde”, the song “Letter to Memphis”. So the Pixies are a massive influence. At the same time, I’ve listened to everything from Helmet, old school punk, and currently love Durg Church and Turnstile. All of that kind of forms what I write.
2. The title Familiar Mutations suggests transformation while still holding onto something recognizable. What does the title mean to you, and how does it reflect the themes or emotions explored across the EP?
Familiar Mutations as a title came about because I think anything I write has a feeling of being nostalgic, with my own twist. So the name fit. The EP in progress, Primal Directives, kind of has that same mindset. Go with what feels right, and what I would listen to.
3. You’ve mentioned influences ranging from Faith No More and Public Image Ltd to Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, and Drug Church. Which artists have had the biggest impact on your approach to songwriting, and what have you learned from them?
Biggest influence by far is Frank Black. His way of taking words and making them into your own interpretation I thought was extremely clever. So I like to do the same. I’ll never say, this song means xyz. If you think it means something else? I’m cool with that.
4. There’s a strong balance between aggressive guitars, melodic hooks, bass lines, and 80s-inspired synth textures in your music. How do you approach arranging a song so that the different elements remain powerful without competing with each other?
When I write a song, I think the battery first. I’ve played bass since 1997, so unlike most rock musicians, I like the bass and drums out front a bit more. People may not like it, but I find it more pleasing. The synth I bury more, as it’s for texture. My vocals I’m still learning. I never sang a song until 1 Hit, so it’s still a work in progress. I appreciate people actually listening, it means a lot.
5. Hate At First Sight has been receiving encouraging attention internationally, particularly in Latin American markets. How does it feel to see your music connecting with listeners so far from Reno, and has this response influenced your creative direction?
I am blown away anyone listens to my music, much less overseas I was medically retired in 2014 from one job, so it affects me being able to be physically active like I was. I used to paint as well, but my vision has given me problems as well. So I’m channeling all of this into my music. The fact even one person enjoys it besides myself makes me happy. I plan on releasing monthly. I have a backlog of 90 songs I’ve written, so I look forward to continue to create.
6. As you continue developing Hate At First Sight, what would you like to explore next musically, and what do you hope listeners will discover about you through the project’s future releases?
For future releases, I hope people see me continuing to push myself. I’m still learning as I go, and I do this while working 48 hour weeks and dealing with my own issues. But music has been my solace. Every song I write and put out there just kind of documents I’m still here, still trying.