Getting to Know… The Haptics | Interview 🎤

In the 375^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from Vancouver post-punk band, The Haptics. 

“We play a unique blend of post-punk, grunge, alternative, and punk rock.” Right on, 🎙 The Haptics! Responding to a later question, the band shares their initial goals: “Our only goals were to have fun, record a bit, and share our sound.” Cool, cool, cool! On our 375^th Getting to Know Q&A, we get the inside scoop on Vancouver collective’s genesis, present goals, musical influences, and of course, current, and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into 🎤 Getting to Know… The Haptics: Interview No. 375!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes The Haptics distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

We play a unique blend of post-punk, grunge, alternative, and punk rock. I’d say our progressive melodies and thoughtful lyrics set us apart and make us worth checking out.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did The Haptics form and what were some of the goals or visions you had early on?

We all met online, actually. All of us were exploring opportunities to play around the Vancouver area in British Columbia and found each other quite by accident. Upon sharing our musical tastes, we found we all really enjoyed the post-punk sound. Despite coming from varied musical backgrounds, we loved jamming together and decided we’d do the thing. Our only goals were to have fun, record a bit, and share our sound. So far so good!

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

I’m really proud of the shows we’ve played and what we’ve recorded. I personally love playing live and that’s a big part of the band experience for me. I think it’s important to put music in perspective: it might not pay the bills, but it’s where the passion lies. Making time to play, record, and play shows is important, but we respect our individual lives as well. We’d like to play live as much as feasible while still making enough time to write new stuff and record that stuff.  – Jin

The goal for next year is to put out a new album and play as many shows [as possible], and especially festivals, that we can. Can’t wait to get out there and make some noise! The #1 long term goal remains…world domination! – Cam

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

I’ve always loved Layne Staley, Shirley Manson, Roy Orbison, and Iggy Pop as singers. They all offer something wickedly different and so excellent for their sound. Band-wise I think we consider Joy Division (also New Order as an influence), Interpol, the Buzzcocks, and Nirvana as influences. – Jin

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

I can only speak for myself, but I had a wardrobe malfunction on live streaming TV. I was playing a show at Red Gate and wore this risqué little number with no bra. I thought to myself, this is daring. And lo and behold, I had a full-fledged Janet Jackson moment right on live TV. No charge this time. – Jin

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

We really love our upcoming single 🎵 “Mouse”. It’s punky and a bit raw with melodic digs in the beginning and a super fun chorus to sing. It’s about toxic relationships and what makes them so deliciously addictive. Coming out on streaming September 29th!

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

I’m sorry to say that I’m so left-of-center naturally that there’s not much on the other side. I do have a secret talent though. I remember my dreams every night – 2 to 3 of them, usually. They’re usually about saving the world from an impending astronomical event. – Jin

Closing out, what is The Haptics currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure.   

Definitely please check out 🎵 “Mouse” coming out September 29th! It’s part of our upcoming EP, 💿 Zero Gravity, out this fall. Stay tuned to our socials (IG and Facebook) for the drop. I think it’s our best stuff to date. Thanks so much to all the listeners.. you guys are the ones that rock.

Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

Getting to Know… The Haptics: Interview No. 375 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; The Haptics; Tumisu via Pixabay]