# Artist of the Week – The Hot Dark

- Link: https://indierockcafe.com/2015/05/artist-of-the-week-the-hot-dark/
- Published: 2015-05-22T08:30:19-04:00
- Author: Max Hammer

**The Hot Dark** is a collaborative post new wave jazz rock dance sextet (there’s
a mouthful) from northern California whose uptempo, sprawling and diversely crafted
songs have a way of pulling music lovers into their potions of vocals and instruments
to listen more closely.

Nearly two years since we [first featured the band](https://indierockcafe.com/2013/01/new-releases-from-diy-and-indie-label-artists-the-hot-dark-norwegian-arms-brave-baby-john-haesemeyer-and-eric-howl/),
The Hot Dark have been evolving and growing the way a promising and talented DIY
band should. During that time, the evolving band wrote, recorded and dropped their
debut album, _Live Young_, on March 28th.

The Hot Dark’s origins trace back to 2013 when the studio duo known as **Descendants
of Prospectors**, featuring guitarists and vocalists **Kiel Williams** and **Owen
Ridings**, decided to form a full band, and set out to recruit other members, eventually
acquiring bassist **Andy Merrill**, keyboardist and saxophone player **Rick Moore**,
drummer **Nicholas Lefler**, and keyboardist **Gabriel Cronos**.

The band’s commitment, Williams said, is a “dedication to bringing high quality 
artistic writing to a fun, high energy performance” on and off stage. This is evident
on the album which features a cornucopia of different styles and sounds going on,
including post new wave synth pop, jazz rock and dance infusions as highlighted 
by gems like the excited, sax-intoxicating and “The Cure-ish” track, “Private Caller,”
the raw and emotive “I And We,” and the melancholy, but somehow also sexy, song,“
One Time.” Williams’ voice sounds so similar at times to that of Robert Smith’s (
The Cure) that it’s almost surreal. Any Cure fan will hear the likeness immediately.

But the unforgettable power pop track, “Blossom,” is perhaps the most unforgettable
and universal song on the album. With infectious, driving rhythm, jangle-heavy guitar
hooks, oh-oh-oh choruses, shinny keys and magnificent sax playing from Moore, the
would-be indie hit single jumps out and envelopes the listener. _Live Young_ is 
an album of keeper songs.

Related Post:  DIY Artist of the Week - Chicago Musician Matt Script

The band has opened for artists like Major Powers and The Lo-Fi Symphony, French
Cassettes, Golden Drugs, Biosexual, and Religious Girls. As far as their musical
influences, the band members refer to Francis and The Lights, Talk Talk, Rubble 
Bucket, and The Cure. The Hot Dark are on the radar and officially a band to watch
just like they were in 2013.

[“Blossom“](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/Blossom-TheHotDark.mp3)–**
The Hot Dark** from _Live Young_ – March 28th

[“Private Caller“](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/03%20Private%20Caller.mp3)–**
The Hot Dark** from _Live Young_

[“One Time“](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/01%20One%20Time.mp3) –**
The Hot Dark** from _Live Young_

The Hot Dark official website

[The Hot Dark on Facebook](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/thehotdark)