Trying to get across in words why Hurts are a band worth listening to, as my own experience, and that of other writers who've attempted it proves, is terribly difficult. The first words that spring to mind are the Pet Shop Boys, Tears For Fears, Manchester melancholia, the dark side of New Romanticism and a fashion ethos out of the pages of today's L'Uomo Vogue. Oh, and synths.
Independently, all good things, but thrown together in a young band in 2011? It's a tough sell. And yet... Hurts — aka singer Theo Hutchcraft and synth man Adam Anderson — are one of the most refreshing things on the radio at the moment, probably precisely because they encapsulate some of the best things about a decade where being first, craziest or the best-looking in music didn't matter. The Guardian couldn't restrain itself from correcting the band's own record label blurb, which placed Hurts in 1987, with Paul Lester claiming they're actually more like 1983 — and that was a compliment.
The British band — who do, in fact, hail from Manchester — perform at Irish Village tomorrow as part of the Livin' The Music concert series. tabloid! chatted with Anderson ahead of the gig.
What's the Hurts writing process?
Hurts is a perfect combination of both of our personalities and abilities. Hurts is 50 per cent myself and 50 per cent Theo and we work towards a common goal.
When we write, it always begins in a very simple way, usually with me on a piano or guitar and Theo singing. Once we have a song finished in this most simple and traditional of ways, we spend a long time decorating the song and producing the track until it sounds like Hurts.
At the heart of every song on our album, no matter how complicated it appears, is that simple original idea you could strum on a guitar.
Your debut album features Kylie Minogue on a track, Devotion. Do you ever feel that her involvement is defining the album?
We needed the album to have the redemption of a woman's voice and who better than a pop princess?
Kylie (right) has a darker side which you almost never hear and this was the side we wanted to bring out on Devotion. We feel it was a great final addition to our album. It is the cherry on the cake.
Tell us how you came up with the band's name.
Most bands take a long time to think of a name. It is a lot like naming a child and it can be an arduous process. It's a choice you will always have to stand by. Luckily for us "Hurts" instantly just seemed to fit. I don't think we really had the energy to think of other names either! In hindsight, we still love it.
It looks good and it sounds good.
How would you describe your music?
It is emotional, electronic pop music that's sits on a fine line between longing and sadness, hope and joy. It is very ambitious musically, but also has moments of understatement.
The songs are about love and loss, but also despair and belief. Most of the songs are about women in one way or another.
How important is image to the band, and who are your favourite designers?
We like the way old men in England dress. They have pride and dignity despite their age. It is very admirable. For a long time our lives were in a bad way and we had no dignity or pride.
Dressing smartly and taking care of how we presented ourselves gave us more self esteem and confidence in the face of being looked down upon and feeling worthless. When Hurts began, we just carried this on.
Our style is one of simplicity and pride.
Talk of Manchester abounds in articles and coverage of Hurts. How much of an influence does the city have on your music? And the obvious question: What's your favourite Smiths song?
It is the city Theo and I first met [in], the city we learned to make music in, it is the place we experienced a multitude of emotions that shaped our personalities.
Manchester in one way or another is in every song on the album and is an intrinsic part of who and what Hurts is. It is the ideal city to make music in. Music is in the DNA of the place and opportunity is always at your fingertips.
Our favourite Smiths (left) song is Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want. The last minute is pure heaven.
