Hotfox

We’re proud to announce that Bloomington, Indiana based rockers Hotfox are the winners of our 4th annual Battle of the Bands competition!

The guys were picked out of over 800 artists to enter the second round of the contest in which they competed against 50 other acts in a public voting period. At the end of the public voting period, Hotfox moved on to the final round by being voted into the top 10 artists. From the top 10, a panel of judges from JanSport and Sonicbids hand selected Hotfox as their favorite.

The guys will be heading down to SXSW to play the Official Sonicbids Showcase presented by JanSport on Friday, March 16th. In the meantime, check out “Mountain Tiger” from the band’s debut LP, You, Me, and the Monster, released last summer on Roaring Colonel Records (which happens to be the record label arm of My Old Kentucky Blog.) The disc was produced by Tyler Watkins of Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s and the band is currently working with Watkins on a follow up. - Unzipped, the Official Jansport Blog

This month has been good to Bloomington indie-rock band Hotfox. Just last week, it was announced that the band had won a spot at this year’s South By Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival via the Jansport Online Battle of the Bands. Now, the band has been selected again to perform at the famed Austin festival. This invitation comes from the State of Music Showcase presented by Choose My Music Records and Sweet Tea Pumpkin Pie.

State of Music is a UK-based project with the goal of featuring unsigned and/or independent musical acts from all fifty United States. The project began in August 2011, and has already produced its first compilation album The State of Music, Volume One, which was released at the end of January. The second volume is due out in March.

Hotfox will be representing Indiana, and will be one on twenty-four bands performing at the State of Music Showcase on Wednesday, March 14. The band is scheduled to perform at 5:45 PM at J Black’s Feel Good Lounge.

If you are planning on being at SXSW this year, you can RSVP to this FREE showcase.

Congratulations to Hotfox…again! - Hipster Spinster

" Guitarist Duncan Kissinger said that Hotfox is a band that advocates the importance of utilizing the full buffalo when it is hunted.

“Some people just use it for meat, some use it just for the pelt. Use all of it, not some of it,” Kissinger said.

Even though the band wouldn’t fully reveal what the buffalo is, if the buffalo in question is a metaphor for taking advantage of opportunity, the band does just that.

The local indie-rock band is no stranger to success.

After winning Record Store Day High School Battle of the Bands in April 2010, which landed them a front-page spot on NUVO, an alternative newspaper in Indianapolis, the band recorded an album and was named Bloomington’s best local band that same year.

After releasing their debut album “You, Me, and the Monster,” they shared the stage with several nationally known bands, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s.

But they’re not tired yet.

The band is currently among the top five bands competing in a contest for a spot to perform at South by Southwest Interactive Film and Music Festival in Austin, Texas, this March. The band found out about the contest on Sonicbids and submitted their song “Mountain Tiger.” The band members received an email two weeks ago informing them that they were finalists.

The Sonicbids-Jansport Battle of the Bands contest uses an online voting system to decide which 10 acts will be considered for the final round. Fans of the band are able to vote online once a day through Jan. 19. The top 10 acts will then be judged by a panel, which will announce the winner sometime in February.

“We’ve been playing on a local, slightly regional level for years together, and SXSW is the opportunity for us that is very attainable and would be the boost we need to have new people hear our music,” Kissinger said.

Are they nervous?

“You could say we’re a bunch of nervous nematodes,” Kissinger said.

According to Kissinger, their album “You, Me, and the Monster” has to do with hemorrhoids, or in their words, “pains in the ass.”

Examples of pains include skeletons, dirty dishes, women, drugs, money and paparazzi.

Not all of the band’s songs fall under these categories, though.

“Our song ‘Mountain Tiger’ is about a fight between a fierce tiger and a mean machine ... on a mountain,” sophomore bassist Marcus Tedesco said.

Tedesco met singer and guitarist Oliver Hopkins outside Read Center last year and has been part of the band ever since.

Following the success of their debut album, the band is starting to record a new album this month. The album includes tracks such as “Hay, is that My Horse?” and “Gallop Pasture Sister’s Head.”

“The second album will be a concept record based around the times and adventures of ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.’ It’ll be louder and dustier than record number one,” Hopkins said.

The title of the second album and when it will be out is still unknown.

“Maybe in a few months, maybe a year,” Hopkins said. " - The IDS, Indiana University's Paer

" Guitarist Duncan Kissinger said that Hotfox is a band that advocates the importance of utilizing the full buffalo when it is hunted.

“Some people just use it for meat, some use it just for the pelt. Use all of it, not some of it,” Kissinger said.

Even though the band wouldn’t fully reveal what the buffalo is, if the buffalo in question is a metaphor for taking advantage of opportunity, the band does just that.

The local indie-rock band is no stranger to success.

After winning Record Store Day High School Battle of the Bands in April 2010, which landed them a front-page spot on NUVO, an alternative newspaper in Indianapolis, the band recorded an album and was named Bloomington’s best local band that same year.

After releasing their debut album “You, Me, and the Monster,” they shared the stage with several nationally known bands, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s.

But they’re not tired yet.

The band is currently among the top five bands competing in a contest for a spot to perform at South by Southwest Interactive Film and Music Festival in Austin, Texas, this March. The band found out about the contest on Sonicbids and submitted their song “Mountain Tiger.” The band members received an email two weeks ago informing them that they were finalists.

The Sonicbids-Jansport Battle of the Bands contest uses an online voting system to decide which 10 acts will be considered for the final round. Fans of the band are able to vote online once a day through Jan. 19. The top 10 acts will then be judged by a panel, which will announce the winner sometime in February.

“We’ve been playing on a local, slightly regional level for years together, and SXSW is the opportunity for us that is very attainable and would be the boost we need to have new people hear our music,” Kissinger said.

Are they nervous?

“You could say we’re a bunch of nervous nematodes,” Kissinger said.

According to Kissinger, their album “You, Me, and the Monster” has to do with hemorrhoids, or in their words, “pains in the ass.”

Examples of pains include skeletons, dirty dishes, women, drugs, money and paparazzi.

Not all of the band’s songs fall under these categories, though.

“Our song ‘Mountain Tiger’ is about a fight between a fierce tiger and a mean machine ... on a mountain,” sophomore bassist Marcus Tedesco said.

Tedesco met singer and guitarist Oliver Hopkins outside Read Center last year and has been part of the band ever since.

Following the success of their debut album, the band is starting to record a new album this month. The album includes tracks such as “Hay, is that My Horse?” and “Gallop Pasture Sister’s Head.”

“The second album will be a concept record based around the times and adventures of ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.’ It’ll be louder and dustier than record number one,” Hopkins said.

The title of the second album and when it will be out is still unknown.

“Maybe in a few months, maybe a year,” Hopkins said. " - The IDS, Indiana University's Paer

"I’ve seen local standouts Hotfox several times in the past six months, but until now hadn’t taken the time to write them up. And that’s a shame, because along with the Bonesetters and Slothpop, they’re the best of the current batch of Indy’s indie pop.

The show at the Starbucks in Atherton Union was a last-minute affair, but it made sense on my way downtown. The set lists have varied slightly each time I’ve seen the band, but all focus on their debut Roaring Colonel release, You, Me, and the Monster.

Mountain Tiger with it’s “We Are Not Machines” rallying cry is rousing every time.

Tombstone Teeth shuffles and builds to a ragged tension-released cry of turning your red devil blue.

King Kong would have been right at home as a mainstay on MTV’s 120 Minutes.

Oliver Hopkins and crew put on a terrific show. If you haven’t had a chance to see Hotfox yet, make sure you find out where they’re playing in the coming months and go. A young, hungry band with killer tunes — can’t ask for more." - Indy Rock Live
- Indy Rock Live

"Hotfox is a band that I found searching around for music for the show. This song is straight-up pretty. It’s a great study in how to gradually build emotion and layers in a song. It’s the #1 reason I like this band. The #2 reason I like this band is because they are from Bloomington, Indiana, and that is where my sister lived for a long time, and I know for a fact it’s a cool place. If you’re looking for a song that matches your grown-up style angst (not as angsty as you once were, maybe more concerned about your immediate future and the fact that we’re all turning into robots, etc.). Please check out the song, and stream the rest of their excellent album on their Bandcamp." - NY Rock Market Music Blog - New York Rock Market Music Blog

Locals might have noticed that we’ve made it no secret that we are pretty in love with Hotfox these days. We’ve recently asked them to open for both Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and Bear Hands. They didn’t dissappoint us on either occasion. We’re proud to announce we’ll be releasing their upcoming debut album, You, Me & The Monster , through Roaring Colonel Records.

Our friends at MonkeyEatsMonkey recently recorded and filmed one of my favorite tracks, actually titled “Mountain Tiger”, off the upcoming album at that Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. opening gig… - My Old Kentucky Blog

Locals might have noticed that we’ve made it no secret that we are pretty in love with Hotfox these days. We’ve recently asked them to open for both Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and Bear Hands. They didn’t dissappoint us on either occasion. We’re proud to announce we’ll be releasing their upcoming debut album, You, Me & The Monster , through Roaring Colonel Records.

Our friends at MonkeyEatsMonkey recently recorded and filmed one of my favorite tracks, actually titled “Mountain Tiger”, off the upcoming album at that Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. opening gig… - My Old Kentucky Blog

The band’s talent has gone all but unnoticed. They’ve graced many stages, opening for Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr. last month, contributing songs for Live From Bloomington’s Brio Pop Society project in 2010, and have been featured on video projects such as Midwest Underground. Hotfox will be releasing its debut album You, Me, and the Monster with the Roaring Colonel Records on July 29, 2011. - Bloomington Area Music Blog

The band’s talent has gone all but unnoticed. They’ve graced many stages, opening for Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr. last month, contributing songs for Live From Bloomington’s Brio Pop Society project in 2010, and have been featured on video projects such as Midwest Underground. Hotfox will be releasing its debut album You, Me, and the Monster with the Roaring Colonel Records on July 29, 2011. - Bloomington Area Music Blog

Catch up with last year's cover story here. Since that piece was published, Hotfox was voted Bloomington's Best Local Band for 2010 by the readers of the Indiana Daily Student and has scored some prominent opening gigs, notably for Margot (at Earth House) and at MOKB Presents shows (Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Bear Hands).


It's official: My Old Kentucky Blog offshoot Roaring Colonel Records has signed Hotfox, the now Bloomington-based band that graced the cover of NUVO last year, and will put out the band's new record, You, Me, and the Monster, later this month. The album is a product of Eastside studio Queen Size Twin Air, with Tyler Watkins at the helm and featuring a cast of supporting characters from the local music scene, including Jon Rogers (Everything, Now!), Casey Tennis (Pravada) and Ryan Reidy (Thunders). The release show is July 29 at the Earth House with Slothpop and The Bonesetters supporting Hotfox.
- NUVO Music Magazine

Catch up with last year's cover story here. Since that piece was published, Hotfox was voted Bloomington's Best Local Band for 2010 by the readers of the Indiana Daily Student and has scored some prominent opening gigs, notably for Margot (at Earth House) and at MOKB Presents shows (Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Bear Hands).


It's official: My Old Kentucky Blog offshoot Roaring Colonel Records has signed Hotfox, the now Bloomington-based band that graced the cover of NUVO last year, and will put out the band's new record, You, Me, and the Monster, later this month. The album is a product of Eastside studio Queen Size Twin Air, with Tyler Watkins at the helm and featuring a cast of supporting characters from the local music scene, including Jon Rogers (Everything, Now!), Casey Tennis (Pravada) and Ryan Reidy (Thunders). The release show is July 29 at the Earth House with Slothpop and The Bonesetters supporting Hotfox.
- NUVO Music Magazine

Bear Hands and Hotfox were playin’ it cool at Indianapolis’ own Sun King Brewery last Thursday, at a show promoted by none other than My Old Kentucky Blog.

Appearing to be somewhere around the age of 20 (ish?), Hotfox would have been content with sneaking into the brewery through the back door to play an opening set. But it was so much more. The crowd was timid at first, but once the Sun King beer kicked in everyone hounded the makeshift stage in the back of the brewery. It was obvious these guys have worked hard crafting their sound growing up. With an indie/punk rock feel, they excited everyone with impressionable lyrics, like “We are not machines” and “You can meet my mom she’s an alcoholic.”

Hotfox will be having their first full-length album release party for You, Me, and the Monster at Earth House Collective in downtown Indianapolis on July 29 at 8 p.m. Also playing is Slothpop and The Bonesetters. All ages are allowed in. - March to this Beat - Music Blog

Bear Hands and Hotfox were playin’ it cool at Indianapolis’ own Sun King Brewery last Thursday, at a show promoted by none other than My Old Kentucky Blog.

Appearing to be somewhere around the age of 20 (ish?), Hotfox would have been content with sneaking into the brewery through the back door to play an opening set. But it was so much more. The crowd was timid at first, but once the Sun King beer kicked in everyone hounded the makeshift stage in the back of the brewery. It was obvious these guys have worked hard crafting their sound growing up. With an indie/punk rock feel, they excited everyone with impressionable lyrics, like “We are not machines” and “You can meet my mom she’s an alcoholic.”

Hotfox will be having their first full-length album release party for You, Me, and the Monster at Earth House Collective in downtown Indianapolis on July 29 at 8 p.m. Also playing is Slothpop and The Bonesetters. All ages are allowed in. - March to this Beat - Music Blog

Fan finder: A few bands in the 1990s grunge family tree have left a mark on Hotfox, but Luna -- the half-childlike, half-jaded invention of Dean Wareham -- may be the most direct antecedent.

That's a keeper: Built on a rallying cry of, "We are not machines," the song "Mountain Tiger" showcases both sides of Hotfox. It begins as a folksy shuffle, and then expands to arena-rock fury.

Didn't see it coming: Clues about colors emerge throughout "You, Me, and the Monster." Vocalist-guitarist-songwriter Oliver Hopkins makes more than one reference to red devils turning blue. Elsewhere, green leaves burn red and bread turns green with mold.

Selling points: This band has range. Unplugged track "The Dollar Theatre" offers escapism on a small scale, as Hopkins sings, "Cheap laughs, quarter tank of gas, we'll resume our lives in an hour-and-a-half." "Fight Night," meanwhile, rides the fierce guitar work of Duncan Kissinger to life-or-death heights. - David Lindquist, Metromix Music

Fan finder: A few bands in the 1990s grunge family tree have left a mark on Hotfox, but Luna -- the half-childlike, half-jaded invention of Dean Wareham -- may be the most direct antecedent.

That's a keeper: Built on a rallying cry of, "We are not machines," the song "Mountain Tiger" showcases both sides of Hotfox. It begins as a folksy shuffle, and then expands to arena-rock fury.

Didn't see it coming: Clues about colors emerge throughout "You, Me, and the Monster." Vocalist-guitarist-songwriter Oliver Hopkins makes more than one reference to red devils turning blue. Elsewhere, green leaves burn red and bread turns green with mold.

Selling points: This band has range. Unplugged track "The Dollar Theatre" offers escapism on a small scale, as Hopkins sings, "Cheap laughs, quarter tank of gas, we'll resume our lives in an hour-and-a-half." "Fight Night," meanwhile, rides the fierce guitar work of Duncan Kissinger to life-or-death heights. - David Lindquist, Metromix Music

Hotfox has an LP out on bandcamp right now, You, Me, and the Monster. There’s a whole lot going on on this album. It’s a great blend of loud indie rock and mellow acoustic jams (“King Kong” is a great example of the former). There’s also a healthy sprinkling of synths, electronic beats and horns thrown in here and there, just to keep things interesting. It’s an eclectic mix that stays grounded thanks to the sing-along hooks and solid songwriting. Check out the gentle, swaying opener “The Dirt Of This Earth” and the rollicking “Mountain Tiger” below. - Bears Eat Beats - Music Blog

Hotfox has an LP out on bandcamp right now, You, Me, and the Monster. There’s a whole lot going on on this album. It’s a great blend of loud indie rock and mellow acoustic jams (“King Kong” is a great example of the former). There’s also a healthy sprinkling of synths, electronic beats and horns thrown in here and there, just to keep things interesting. It’s an eclectic mix that stays grounded thanks to the sing-along hooks and solid songwriting. Check out the gentle, swaying opener “The Dirt Of This Earth” and the rollicking “Mountain Tiger” below. - Bears Eat Beats - Music Blog

"A few bands in the 1990s grunge family tree have left a mark on Hotfox, but Luna -- the half-childlike, half-jaded invention of Dean Wareham -- may be the most direct antecedent.

Built on a rallying cry of, "We are not machines," the song "Mountain Tiger" showcases both sides of Hotfox. It begins as a folksy shuffle, and then expands to arena-rock fury.

Clues about colors emerge throughout "You, Me, and the Monster." Vocalist-guitarist-songwriter Oliver Hopkins makes more than one reference to red devils turning blue. Elsewhere, green leaves burn red and bread turns green with mold.

This band has range. Unplugged track "The Dollar Theatre" offers escapism on a small scale, as Hopkins sings, "Cheap laughs, quarter tank of gas, we'll resume our lives in an hour-and-a-half." "Fight Night," meanwhile, rides the fierce guitar work of Duncan Kissinger to life-or-death heights." - David Lindquist, Indianapolis Star - Indianapolis Star

"A few bands in the 1990s grunge family tree have left a mark on Hotfox, but Luna -- the half-childlike, half-jaded invention of Dean Wareham -- may be the most direct antecedent.

Built on a rallying cry of, "We are not machines," the song "Mountain Tiger" showcases both sides of Hotfox. It begins as a folksy shuffle, and then expands to arena-rock fury.

Clues about colors emerge throughout "You, Me, and the Monster." Vocalist-guitarist-songwriter Oliver Hopkins makes more than one reference to red devils turning blue. Elsewhere, green leaves burn red and bread turns green with mold.

This band has range. Unplugged track "The Dollar Theatre" offers escapism on a small scale, as Hopkins sings, "Cheap laughs, quarter tank of gas, we'll resume our lives in an hour-and-a-half." "Fight Night," meanwhile, rides the fierce guitar work of Duncan Kissinger to life-or-death heights." - David Lindquist, Indianapolis Star - Indianapolis Star