Embodying the energy & ferocity of their animal namesake, Hyaenas is a new Indie Rock band breaking into the Canadian music scene. Their 6-track debut EP Little Trophy, produced by Elisa Pangsaeng (Yukon Blonde, Said the Whale) and Jesse Gander (The Pack AD, White Lung), is set for release in early 2023 with singles dropping as of June 2nd, 2022.
Hyaenas songs are written through a queer feminist lens – exploring themes from acceptance to vigilance; celebrating nature, self-worth, and social justice; their sound draws inspiration from 80’s icons The Go-Go’s to modern-day Indie darlings Warpaint.
Sophie Heppell (guitar, vocals), Jessie Robertson (bass), Jen Foster (drums) and Luvia Petersen (synth) have palpable chemistry making this brand new band feel like it has always been.
Name:
Hyaenas
Genre:
Indie Rock
Founded:
2021
Latest Album:
Little Trophy (to be released Jan 2023)
Latest Single:
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
Sophie Heppell: Emily Haines
Jessie Robertson: Sean Yseult
Jen Foster: Nirvana, Garbage, Veruca Salt, PJ Harvey
Luvia Petersen: George Michael
Favourite musician now:
SH: So hard to pick but listening to the most to The Beaches and Wet Leg currently
JR: Esperanza Spalding
JF: Have been suuuuuper into this band from Seattle for the last few years called Deep Sea Diver. Their last LP “Impossible Weight” is so friggin good.
LP: Juliette Lewis
Guilty pleasure song:
SH: Complicated – by Avril Lavigne (and currently OBSESSED with good 4 u by Olivia Rodrigo)
JR: Heartbreaker by Mariah Carey
JF: Isn’t “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd everyone’s guilty pleasure song?
LP: Careless Whisper – George Michael
Live show ritual:
SH: Vocal warm-ups, nin jiom, whiskey & water, a nervous poop, and a group cuddle
JR: pre-show poop and some grounding witchcraft
JF: It used to be having a thousand cigarettes in the alley but now that I’ve been a non-smoker for the past few years, probably paradiddles and 1 beer.
LP: A shot of whiskey
Favourite local musician:
SH: Kristy-Lee Audette (from Rong) is one talented MF. Also love Old Soul Rebel
JR: Catherine Hiltz
JF: The Pack AD!
LP: Miss Quincy
EP or LP?
SH: EP (if it’s at least 6 songs)
JR: EP
JF: Eh I go back & forth. Obviously, an EP with bangers is better than an LP with a few filler tunes…
LP: LP
Early bird or night owl?
SH: Early bird – definitely get my best work done then
JR: Night Owl
JF: I WISH I was an early bird. I try so hard. I’ll set an alarm and try to prepare things so I can just roll out of bed and be productive before the rest of the world wakes up but then those chimes from hell go off and my body fuses to the mattress. One day!
LP: Early Bird, but I must have coffee first. Don’t even look at me until I’ve had a coffee!
Road or studio?
SH: Ah so hard to pick – the road has higher highs but also lower lows. Probably studio though if I had to pick one!
JR: road
JF: Studio for sure! Where songs come to life which is exciting plus there is always food and a comfy couch. Although this particular band hasn’t done any actual touring so may the answer will be different after this summer.
LP: Studio… I love pulling the songs apart and getting to know them all over again.
Any shows or albums coming up?
Our first single, Little Trophy, came out June 2nd, 2022 on all streaming platforms
And our live video for For the Birds is on Youtube
We’ll be on the Island June 9th-12th (Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Duncan, Victoria) and you can catch us locally:
July 2nd at the Roxy – w/ Spectator 6 and Not Sisters
July 9th at Khatsahlano Festival
July 21st at the Anza Club
July 23rd at Squamish Constellation Festival
August 19th at Red Gate w/ Other People
September 24th at Fernie Pride Festival
Where can we follow you?
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube | BandCamp
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Rapid Fire Vancouver Qs
Favourite local restaurant:
SH: Tacofino or Meet
JR: Tamam
JF: Burgoo, Pho Q&M. And Sushi Dragon on Broadway is a wee gem with the sweetest server ever.
LP: Havana on Commercial Drive
Favourite street in your city:
SH: Does the sea wall count as a street?
JR: Commercial Drive. Queers, beers, tattoos and food.
JF: Love Denman. Love Main. Honourable mention to West 4th. Lots of variety, cute cafe’s & shiny happy people a-plenty
LP: Commercial Drive – walkability, neighbourhood hangouts and I own a tattoo shop called Liquid Amber Tattoo and Art Collective on the drive.
Favourite park in your city:
SH: Margaret Pigott Park in Kits – It’s very small and quiet and there’s a huge, gorgeous tree with a bench underneath to sit on peacefully and look at the ocean
JR: Stanley Park. Forest & beach!
JF: Pacific Spirit Park because it has trails but it’s also completely flat so I actually enjoy the walk. And obviously, Stanley Park is real purdy. And anywhere with lots & lots of dogs.
LP: Templeton School is near my house because I have sunset picnics there with my wife.
Favourite music venue in your city:
SH: I would’ve said the Commodore until very recently – but just went to Hollywood Theatre and it’s so great
JR: The Fox
JF: I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad time at Fox Cabaret. And for bigger shows, The Orpheum is pretty groovy
LP: Hollywood Theatre
Favourite music store in your city:
SH & JF: Zulu on West 4th for SURE. And for instrument purposes, Rufus Guitar Shop/Rufus Drum Shop 100%
JR & LP: Long & McQuade
