Introducing The Boys of Summer: Hablot Brown
For three young guys who left college to pursue a music career, Hablot Brown produce eminently sophisticated, mature music. Whether you call their style neo-soul or R&B, the group’s tunes are full of profoundly expressive vocals, lockdown rhythms, and polished production. It’s that potent mix that saw the band’s first two singles, “Gone” and “Just Call,” streamed more than 1.5 million combined times in just twelve months, big numbers that helped earn them an opening spot on Tom Misch’s recent tour. Fresh of that experience, and still releasing hot songs like “Little Bit,” Hablot Brown recently took the time to talk about their inspirations, creative process, touring, and style with O.N.S.
Even though Linus’s first single “Just Call” was under his name, he mentioned it was still a Hablot Brown production. What made you guys decide to switch from one face to three?
We figured that since we were all writing the songs together, we might as well call ourselves a band.
With Linus growing up in Singapore and Austin and John growing up on the East Coast, what drew you guys together? How did you all eventual settle in Los Angeles?
We had been making music by sending each other tracks for a few months before Linus moved to New York for work. At that point John and Austin started spending a lot of time in New York working on Hablot Brown, playing shows and stuff. Things were going well so we all decided not to go back to college and move out to LA together to keep making music.
Your music tastes must’ve been different from living in various places, so what made you guys decide to produce music under the “neo soul” genre?
It was actually weird how similar our taste in music was when we all first met. When we started making music together, we were all inspired by the same artists so the writing process came very naturally in the studio.
Can you tell us more about your group’s dynamic? Who comes up with the themes, concepts, lyrics and melodies, and how does it all come together?
Our writing process is very nonchalant, we normally just get in the studio and write as we go. Austin normally starts by writing and producing the instrumental with a lot of rhythmic insight from John. Linus handles the lyrics and vocal melodies. The vibe and concept of the song kinda evolves throughout the writing process, we almost never limit ourselves to an idea until the song has taken shape.
You’ve recently finished touring with Tom Misch. What was it like opening for such a well-known act?
Being able to play for so many people that we felt would align with our tastes in music was the best feeling in the world, especially since it was our first tour together. Also getting to experience a tour of Tom’s level firsthand was the best learning experience we could ask for.
The tour must’ve been quite strenuous. What kind of activities did you incorporate in your daily routines to keep you fresh and rejuvenated?
Unfortunately, we learned about the necessity of staying rejuvenated the hard way.
Performing live is completely different from working in the studio. What were your biggest challenges adjusting to being on stage so much?
We thought that we would come across some challenges playing a show in a different city every night, but luckily we had a strong team helping us out. Everything pretty much went entirely as planned. As for being on stage, we’ve always felt at home.
With “Little Bit” being released last December, you must be excited for what’s next. Can you elaborate on any new and upcoming releases coming this summer?
We have a bunch of new music coming this summer as well as some visuals. We’re stoked to start rolling out all this new material.
Can you tell us more about the West Coast music scene and how it differs from the East Coast?
The transition was pretty seamless considering we already had a bit of a West Coast network before we moved out here. As far as comparing the coasts goes, it’s way easier to make music in the sun than it is in the snow.
From scanning your Instagram profile, we can tell that you all have amazing style. What do you look for when curating your closets and showcasing your style?
First off, much love. Honestly we just try not to limit ourselves to anything. We’re still experimenting with stuff and having fun with it.
Lastly, for all our readers just discovering Hablot Brown music, what is the one important thing about your band you’d like everyone to know or remember?
That’s a silent T.
To keep up with Hablot Brown, be sure to follow the group on IG here.
