Hilltop Hoods: Trackside 09

Thu 19th Nov, 2009 in Features

Australia’s hip-hop outfit Hilltop Hoods are in their most ambitious year yet. One may even say they Hoods are venturing on to The Hard Road. No – don’t worry, the Hoods are fine. As if they aren’t living the life! They may just be finding it annoying to have to live their lives according to a diary. Who wouldn’t?

An anxious writer waits by her phone to chat to Hilltop’s Daniel Miller – best known as MC Pressure... She then recieves an email from the boy’s publicist.

Would it be okay if we postpone for another hour? The boys have to do some ARIA IDs, it seems to have fallen off my schedule, she writes.

So – an hour overtime – Pressure finally joins this writer on the line. It just goes to show that there is no rest for the popular, is there? “There sure isn’t,” Pressure agrees announcing, “We’re finally taking a nice little lunch box and enjoying the breeze.”

It’s nice to hear the band are having a bit of a rest – even if it includes chatting to nosey journalists… The Hoods are set to be going overseas very soon, but before they will be continuing their Standing Still tour across the country. Included in the tour, Canberra’s only all ages music festival, Trackside.

Press have described the Hood’s latest album, State of the Art to be like no other – yet still with a Hilltop Hood sound. What’s the secret ingredient to the latest album?

“Passion.” Pressure laughs, “It’s because we love what we do. That’s just what keeps us going.” Continuing he states, “We put a lot more in this time – it was probably the hardest we’ve ever gone.”

Trackside 2009 is definitely not their first time back to the Australian Capital. Pressure reminisces on old times.

He notes that one of their favourite shows would have to “probably one of our first shows where we played with Koolism.” Having said that, the gig to get them all cosy with Canberra would have to be the sold out-packed and heated venue at the university. “Ah – yeah we like ANU Bar.”

Punters who have been to a Hilltop Hoods gig would know they are always charged full of energy. How do these MC’s keep the gang charged? “Like I said before, passion…we love doing it.” Do you guys have anything to stop nerves?

“Actually, we do a jig…” A jig?

“Yep – a jig. We do it side of stage before we go on. We probably look like the biggest retards.” Here’s hoping no one can see them…

So are the Hoodies looking forward to Trackside? “Ready as we’ll ever be,” says Pressure. “Yeah, it’ll be fun as always. Be there.”

Catch the Hilltop Hoods at Canberra’s only All Ages music festival, Trackside.