HANK & CUPCAKES – Behind the Music
“We had a little resolution just before New Years, the last two weeks of December we shut off our internet for the first time for two whole weeks and completely did creative things, saw friends, hung out and I wrote lots and lots in those two weeks.”- Cupcakes
Hank & Cupcakes take stage while Bard & Mustache peek through the window while getting fresh air.
March 3, 2013 – Sarasota, Florida’s Shamrock Pub is a stop on the jam-packed tour Brooklyn-based musicians Hank & Cupcakes has planned around the country. Their second time playing in the area and the first time I got to see them. They win me over instantly with their powerful raw unrestrained talent. Cupcakes is petite, but don’t let that fool you, she doesn’t just stand behind the drums and play, she’ll stand on them too, her vocals rock the house with unique beats that make you lose control of your body. Hank may catch your attention, not just with his bright orange tank top, or his highly stylized Mohawk, but with magical bass playing pedal board ability.
Cupcakes barefooted and playing on top of her drums.
I caught up with Cupcakes for a few brief moments outside Shamrock after her show and right before judging the anticipated semi-final karaoke contest.
My photo with Hank & Cupcakes after the show.
How did you meet Erin and Greg from Bard & Mustache?
A guy we met was going to put us on tour with a band he manages, which didn’t work out in the end, he introduced us to them. We were booking our last tour and said they were a great couple to know for Sarasota.
How long have the two of you been together?
Hank and I have been a couple for the past 13 years.
May I ask your ages?
Hank is 32 and I am 33.
Dynamic Duo getting their Shamrock on – Hank & Cupcakes.
When did your career take off?
We came to NY 4.5 years ago from Israel and have been doing this full-time since then. It’s been growing and we started from zero.
What does the future look like for H & C?
Make music, tour as much as we can, keep growing as musicians and performers.
Where do you get your inspiration for writing and performing?
The way I clear room for my inspiration, (it’s always there but it’s covered up by daily stress), be relaxed and clear my mind and let go of things – things I need to do and stressful things, internet and just clear my mind and get into a creative mode. When I get into that mode I write all the time.
We are learning to turn the noise off. Having a band has a lot of business aspect to it that you have to maintain. It’s very hard to keep balance of the creative side and the business side. We had a little resolution just before New Years, the last two weeks of December we shut off our internet for the first time for two whole weeks and completely did creative things, saw friends, hung out and I wrote lots and lots in those two weeks. When we get back from this tour we decided we are going into two months of hibernation and were just going to write an album.
What do you think of Sarasota?
All I know of Sarasota is Shamrock Pub. I like the people who come to the pub. I don’t know if that represents the vast popularity of this town or not, but we get a really nice vibe from being here.
Cupcakes engaging the crowd as she uses the bar as her stage! Bard & Mustache enjoying the show.
What do you think about the Sarasota Music Scene?
We don’t know much, but we do know Bard & Mustache and they are ‘amazing – amazing –amazing – really amazing’.
Hank with Greg Bortnichack & Erin Murphy of Bard & Mustache
How do you describe the sound of your music?
We are always looking for a way to describe it. Obviously describing your music is never accurate. Let’s say our music is edgy, raw pop with a rock and roll vibe to it. The energy is very rock and roll, but the music is kind of pop.
You are a dynamic performer, do you think about it or just do it?
I don’t pre plan. We always strive to be better and develop ourselves and expand, be better at performing. We can’t be static, always looking to improve ourselves.
Hank & Cupcakes plan to return to Sarasota in the summer time after their tour. If you didn’t catch them this time, you missed out on a hell of a show, don’t let that happen again! Visit their website http://hankandcupcakes.com for tour dates, news, music and background.
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Love this picture with Erin and Greg through the looking-glass.
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