Not Sure Where Your Conscience Should Stay on Vacation? Try Hotel Fiction
Intro ❤ Who is Hotel Fiction?
♢ Hotel Fiction is from Athens, GA
♢ They just graduated college
♢ They’re best friends :)
♢ They’ve been in a band for three years together!
Look below to find my interview with the band!
1. First, I have to ask: is there a story behind the cowboy hats? It’s such a cute little oddity!!
Our friend Melanie one day told us “Guys I have five pink cowboy hats from my sister’s wedding,” and we ended up wearing and keeping two of them. At the same time, we love thrifting and had thrifted cowboy boots, and Jade had even thrifted a purple cowboy hat.
On one of our first tour runs we ended up bringing the pink and purple cowboy hats, and it just added some fun to the van and traveling. The first time we played with the hat was at our first hometown show after the pandemic. We passed it around between band members.
For a while, our guitarist, Aaron, was rocking the cowboy hat at almost every show. Now it doesn’t feel right to go on tour without at least one cowboy hat!
Yeah, I get it. I feel like a lot of bands have talismans. You know, like how Sublime had heroin and Lou Dog; Green Day has weed and Tre; or Ozzy, who is basically his own animal and mascot. Cowboy hats are a cool quirk. It’s pretty unique.
2. Who are your influences? To what extent should a musician’s favorite artists impact their style?
Some of our favorites are the Beatles, David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Radiohead. A lot of older stuff. It’s really cool to learn from our favorite artists, whether it’s in style, music, performing, improvising, writing, etc.
But to answer the question, I don’t think there’s a right answer to the level of impact a favorite artist should have on a musician’s work. Everyone is (hopefully) trying to create something from their own hearts. The melodies we hear and love and want to create might come from our subconscious and we may be influenced by the music we’ve heard the most or for the longest, but it’s still unique because someone is creating art true and unique to them. We are nothing without our influences!
That’s interesting. In writing, I definitely think you can tell when someone is copying style and when it’s unique. A lot of that comes from a reader’s experience and how studied they are, but I think that you’re right — you can tell when someone believes the story they’re telling.
3. I love your song “Think Twice.” Do you guys like to write about personal experiences and include inside jokes and memories, or write about common experiences that a large number of people can relate to? Overall, what makes a good song?
It depends on the song! With “Think Twice”, we took a bummer experience one of us had and spun it into a lighthearted fun song. We even included some inside jokes that we had with our roommates Sarah and Sara Grace. Other songs come from a different place, but I don’t think we ever set out trying to write something relatable. Usually, it just works out that something one of us is going through relates to others in some way.
One beautiful part of music is that people see their own stories in songs and make new interpretations to songs. Some of our favorite songs from other artists are incredibly specific to their own lives yet feel relatable at the same time.
4. Funny stories from your tours?
Hahaha. Lots but we can’t say them on the internet.
Fair enough.
Once we left for a tour and our guitar player left his guitar outside the van. We drove away with it sitting in the street and didn’t realize it was gone until three days later. We thought we’d never see it again, but after posting on an online neighborhood forum a kind neighbor had taken it in and was looking for the owner! We learned to double check the outsides of the van before we leave.
Haha, I think the funniest part is that you didn’t even notice until three days later. How did your guitar player not notice??
5. Supporting yourself solely with music is difficult. What advice would you give to young musicians trying to juggle multiple jobs and their craft?
Get creative with it! Find jobs that are flexible where you can work remotely. Also, if you do have a side hustle, make sure it’s not taking too much of your creative energy. If you’re a young musician starting out, you’ll have to make some sacrifices. Right now, we’re living with our parents when we’re off tour, and it’s definitely making it possible for us to tour as much as we do. We’re definitely still learning how to juggle multiple jobs…it’s tricky!
I totally agree with the part about making sacrifices. The phrase “giving it your all” is really cheesy, but I think part of the sentiment comes from people who’ve never actually wanted something so bad that they’re willing to suffer for it, even if only a little.
6. What’s the best way to meet artists and musicians? Are there any cool online forums or restaurants people should know about?
Go see live music! We got really into the local Athens music scene in college and went to concerts multiple times a week. Eventually we realized we had met many incredible musicians along the way. Some people we met at those first shows are now our producers, managers, and band mates. It definitely helps if you’ve got a strong local music scene.
Super cool. I wish it was easier to meet talented writers. The thing about writing is that it’s a solitary activity, so it’s hard to meet people and create at the same time.
Also, I don’t know if it’s the same with music, but in the case of writing collaborations, there is always this sense of grief over the fact that the work is not solely yours. It’s like having to have a co-parent. :(
7. Where’s a groovy place to tour? Why?
We both love playing in Gainesville. The people there are just so kind and supportive, and we usually end up fitting a beach trip in at some point (even if it’s running into the ocean at midnight).
Another favorite is Charleston. The music scene there is so fun, and our agent and friends at Atlas, touring, work out of Charleston, and we love hanging with them. Our favorite venue to play is the Royal American. There are always so many people there who are just excited to see a band play music they’re passionate about!
Charleston does have a cool music scene. It’s just a very inspiring place, in general. You guys should check out Greenville, near the top of South Carolina, if you get the chance.
8. Where can people buy your merch? Where can people follow your music?
Hotelfiction.com is coming VERY soon with t-shirts and hoodies, but you can also buy merch at our shows. To follow us, check out our Instagram and Facebook.
9. Where are you going next? What are your tour and release plans?
We are, in fact, currently driving to New Hampshire to start our spring tour. After that we’re heading down to New York and doing a few shows in the Southeast. In April we’re heading out to Denver!
Right now, we’re working on new music in the studio that we’re very excited about! Hoping to release the first song from the project sometime in April or May.
10. Is there anything you want to say to your fans?
Thank you for the support ❤
It really means the world and is still mind boggling that we have “fans” ahh! Thank you for letting us do what we love!
Aww, you guys are the best. I wish Hotel Fiction the best of luck. You’re a cool band. Please come back when you’re rich and famous and able to tell me those stories!!!
