Possibly the cutest music lovebirds out there, we were so excited to interview Home Body! Just on the heels of finishing their latest 8-track output, Spiritus, the energy Eric and Haley evoke is truly infectious and delightful. Both took the time to take us through their history, creative processes and the musical dreams they have been cultivating on and off stage together for 13 years. Originally emerging out of the Western Mass music scene, this duo is a must see! Now, can we just be best friends already?!?!
Make sure to check the latest Home Body news and tour dates at the end of the interview as well as on all of their social media.
I N T E R V I E W
++ What’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name?
We’re Home Body, spelled with two words. We thought of the name as we were falling asleep one time, so for us, it’s a way to think about embodied comfort. Not so much a couch-potato stagnant “homebody” but an activated, dualistic, physical container for authenticity, “Home” “Body.”
++ What are the names of the band members?
We’re Eric Hnatow and Haley Morgan. Eric plays with Korg Electribes and a Korg MS2000 and Haley sings. Live, she also “plays the lights.” We’ve been sweethearts for 13 years and have had the band for the past 7 years.
++ What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
We’ve called it “fever-pop” or “electro shimmer-core” in the past, and other people have referred to it as “synth-sensual,” “humanistic electro-pop,” and “spirit bath magic” so go ahead and tell us what you think, ha! It’s definitely rooted in electronica, synth pop, new wave, new age and a fair dash of theatricality, experimentation, and improvisation. We’re inspired by the art our friends make and the landscapes we inhabit. Eric’s all-time favorite musicians include Brian Eno, Aphex Twin, NIN, The Knife, Arthur Russell, Marilyn Mason, and Pink Floyd. My longtime favorites are probably The B52’s, Jamiroquai, Annie Lennox, Bjork, Phish, and TLC so put all that in a stew, add some static electricity, a dose of Enya and Danzig, and it’ll probably taste something like Home Body.
++ What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
We just want to be happy and healthy and keep expanding the scope and scale of our work. This band is the best platform for connecting with ourselves, each other, and strangers, and we don’t expect to stop, ever, unless it’s not fun anymore. At this point in our lives, it’s a necessary creative practice and outlet for processing the world’s weirdness. It feels good to take up physical and social space in the name of heart-centered positivity and left of center abstraction. We believe that playfulness is critical in cultural and social evolution. In a Home Body performance we try to utilize many modes of expression to connect with people as possible – having fans who are marginalized, or differently abled, or vision or hearing impaired, or who don’t speak English, or have high anxiety – whatever it is – we value their presence and experience so much, and try to extend ourselves towards them. That’s why we work so hard on our light show, our dance moves, our costuming, that’s why we try to be considerate about who we work with and the venues we’re playing and how accessible they are, etc. We want to keep traveling the world and spreading the Home Body vibe. Fame and fortune sound cool too, though!
++ Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
Eric: No, it’s top secret!
Haley: It’s always different, but it’s always a process of following delight.
++ What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Haley: The internet. Balancing the hype machine with the creative practice. Trying to translate a live, living, breathing and morphing vibe into a cool photo and caption and then watching the algorithms eat it up. Shifting with the constantly shifting virtual world. Feeling the power of our own potential and not having the energy to sit at a computer and pitch it to strangers. Remembering not to feel bad about how hard I’m working. Trying to remember to not trust social media to determine my worth.
Eric: It can sometimes be hard to have your ego and emotions tied up in this thing that you are constantly sharing with the world. It can get really emotionally draining. However, it also can have a really magical payoff. We try to keep our lives balanced and not 100% focused on Home Body at all times. After all, we are in a loving and committed relationship with one another. We always try to have that as a starting point.
++ Do you both curate your dance moves for each song during your live sets?
Some songs we have loose choreography that’s developed naturally after playing 400+ shows, but most of the time it’s improvised! We are both huge fans of modern dance and go to dancing performances as often as we can.
++ Where does Haley get her inspiration for her fashion sense on stage?
Haley: I wear things that make me feel in my own power. I love thinking about how the lights I’m manipulating live will translate on my body with fabrics and materials. So I’ve been loving gauzy white layers and shiny mylar moments. Also, I consider how shapes and cuts constrict, allow, or animate with my movement. I make all my own costumes (cheaply), and get bored of looks quickly (plus they wear out!) so I try to wear something different for almost ever show. I have a humongous collection of Home Body outfits from the past and present, it’d be fun to do a retrospective fashion show someday of all of them!
++ What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
Haley: Do it, just start. There’s no one way and no wrong way to do anything! Follow your own delight and be playful! Make it up as you go along!
Eric: I love encouraging people to create music! I don’t think it is something that should be reserved for the stage, or records, or bands. Music is truly a healing and enlightening force, it really truly is. I think everyone should make music, regardless of if they have a band or not.
++ What is on your mind right now?
Eric: Food
Haley: Sex
++ This is your time to give your pal a shout-out, promote upcoming tours and albums or just say whatever you like.
We’ve been working on our second full-length album for the past 3 years and just finished it, ok’d the masters this week in fact! It’s called Spiritus, it’s 8 tracks, and it’s the best thing we’ve ever made, we’re so proud. We’re figuring out its release right now, talking with labels and all that, and truly can’t wait to share it with our fans. We think it’ll be out early 2019. It’s our most personal and expansive release yet, coming out of a surprising, challenging era of our lives. In the wake of so many cultural, social, environmental and political shifts, we’re grateful to have had this project to channel our energy into, tangles and all.
We’re currently focusing on getting all our ducks in a row for Spiritus’s release, like making music videos and designing new merchandise and plotting big tours, and we have a few secrets up our sleeves we’ll be announcing in the coming weeks. It’s an exciting time for us, for sure. We’re so lucky. Stay tuned!!
Oct 13 – Greenfield, MA @ Hawks and Reed
Nov 2 – Keene, NH @ Machina Arts
Nov 3 – Easthampton, MA @ Oxbow Design
Nov 30 – Brattleboro, VT @ Stone Church
++ How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo?
www.facebook.com/helloHomeBody
Instagram: @home_ _body