First formed by high school mates Jordan Blencowe and Thomson Phan, Sydney alt rockers Hela are finally ready to unleashed their debut single, 'Black Leather'.
With inspiration coming from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tame Impala, Jordan and Thomson completed the band with the inclusion of Nick Lee, a jazz-based percussionist and table-tennis professional, who plays drums and Samuel Cordeiro as bass player."We spent ages over the past few years in recording studios and it just didn't work out," singer Thomson Phan says.
"I think maybe we weren't old or mature enough to start working with other people. We had a very strong vision and couldn't compromise, so our only choice was to do the whole thing ourselves.
"By the time Daniel [Hackett, producer) came around I think we had developed a strong understanding of the process, so working with him was really great."
Ahead of the song's release tomorrow (9 November), Hela have shared an exclusive stream of scenestr today. Winning days.
"We mixed the vocals up pretty high on this track because we really wanted the lyrics to shine through," Thomson adds.
"Although it came out as this alt-rock ballad, I really thought of it as a soft pop, R&B hit.
"I wanted it mixed almost like a Frank Ocean/ SZA track. I honestly think 'Black Leather' has an accessibility and lyrical catchiness that parallels with a lot of R&B hits.
"We're huge fans of the genre so it's quite charming to see how your interests end up weaving their way into the music that you make."
Hela are currently recording their debut album, a record that will appeal to fans of pop, rock and party-goers alike.
