The Hotseat – Hugo Costin-Neilson of Toy Boats
on April 15th, 2012The debut EP from Byron Bay’s Toy Boats was released last Friday via Resist Records, and this weekend the free launch shows commence. First up is Kill The Music in Brisbane on Friday from 6pm, then Resist Records on Saturday from 4pm. Following those will be Clarity Records in Adelaide on April 28th and Poison City Records on April 29th. All shows are free and All Ages, with the EP available to grab while you are there. A video clip for the single ‘Rent‘ was recently released too. We caught up with Hugo Costin-Neilson this week to take on our Hotseat Questions. Expand this post to take a read, re-cap the dates and watch the video clip if you are yet to do so. You can pick up a copy of the EP online now [Here].
THE BASICS
Name : Hugo Costin-Neilsen
Band : Toy Boats
Job In Band : Songwriter
Website Address : www.facebook.com/toyboats
HOME
Hometown : Byron Bay
Hometown is best known for : Beaches and holiday lifestyle.
Best venue in your hometown : The Byron Bay Youth Activities Centre (Y.A.C). So many great local bands started off there and awesome international acts swing through as well. It’s a really intimate venue and shows there are always a great time.
Favourite show you’ve seen in your hometown : so many great bands come through Byron but if I had to choose I would say Have Heart at the high school or Cruel Hand at the Y.A.C
Favourite show you’ve played in your hometown : I actually haven’t played any shows with Toy Boats in Byron Bay as of yet.
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? When I left high school the bands I was in at the time broke up and a lot of my friends moved away and went travelling so I didn’t have that many people to make music with so I started playing acoustic guitar by myself and wrote a few songs then decided to record a demo with my friend Joe Paine. After that (and playing a few shows) I decided that this is what I want to devote my time to.
How long has the band been going? ‘Toy Boats’ was coined at the start of last year but I have been writing and playing the songs for a few months before the name.
Any particular story behind the name? It comes from a song I really like called ‘Toy Boats & Battleships’ by a band called Stay Gold. I really liked that title but decided It was a little too long to have as a name I was going to sing under as I wanted something short, so I abbreviated it to Toy Boats.
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… My most recent release is ‘Diamond Teeth’ which came out on the 13th of April. The songs are personal and I put a lot of myself into them but I aimed for them to be as relatable as possible in a hope that most people who hear them can get something from them.
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? Being signed to Resist Records in October is something that definitely stands out for me.
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? My parents had me learn the piano at an early age but I think I was a little too young to really appreciate it. When I was a little older I learnt the drums and I really liked to play them and joined my first band playing drums when I was about 15. I loved playing music with my friends and I thought to myself that this is something I really want to pursue with my life. I don’t think much has changed.
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? Too many to name, every record or band I’ve heard that I have really connected with adds to the melting pot of myself and influences and pushes me in different ways, even if I don’t always notice it.
Your first band name, and what style did you play? ‘Bloodwar’ we played most things palm muted and had lots of songs with metaphors about friendship that didn’t really make sense but we were fifteen, C’mon!
Most prized music related item you own? Definitely my guitars.
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? If I’m not doing band related stuff I’m usually either watching movies, seeing friends, reading or listening to music.
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is… I’m going on my first tour with Toy Boats at the end of April and I’m so excited for everything about it.
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… As I said my first tour with Toy Boats is at the end of April but from past tours I both love and hate the long drives.
ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? Water
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? Toy Boats hasn’t toured as of yet but Brisbane has been my favourite place to play, every time I’ve played there I’ve left with the best feeling.
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? My favourite show I’ve played with Toy Boats was X&Y with a full band in Brisbane. It was the best crowd response I’ve ever experiencing and I was smiling for days after.
Got a favourite song to play live? Either ‘Rent’ or ‘The Colours Went With You’
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? Everytime I’ve tried to go too high and ended up sounding like the teenage fast food employee from The Simpsons.
Any pre-show rituals? Nothing too crazy, just vocal warm ups.
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? Depends how long the tour is, I think the longer the tour, the harder it is to be away from certain friends and family even though you are surrounding by amazing people.
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? Hazelton – Justin Vernon
Last album you acquired? Nothings gonna change the way you feel about me now’ – Justin Townes Earle
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? Jawbreaker discography
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? Check out ‘Postblue’ from Byron Bay they just recorded a demo and it’s amazing.
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? Lots of live shows and writing.
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? This is kind of cheating but The Cure’s Greatest Hits. I’ve covered ‘Love Song’ in the past and every time I listen to them I find a new song that I want to cover.
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? I think I would pick Kanye West to cover ‘Diamond Teeth’ Just to see what he would do with it.
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? American Football
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn or more Locally The Tivoli in Brisbane.
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? The Cure, like I said earlier I always want to cover their songs so why not play the original.
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. Milestones (although I would be supporting them) and Postblue.
PLUG TIME
Got any last words? Diamond Teeth is instores now via Resist and I’m doing a run of free acoustic in-store sets on the following dates:
