SIDESTEP INTERVIEW

Jake: Yo what’s up! Can you introduce yourself and what you play in the band?

Hugo: Hey. My name’s Hugo and I do vocals for sidestep.

Jake: You guys put out one of my favourite records of 2024, it’s got a bite and swag to it that really makes it a standout record. Can you tell me a bit about your approach to songwriting and how you dialed in your sound?

Hugo: Thank you that means a lot. We like to write a lot of the music together in the practice space. Practice time is often divided into half practice and half writing when we link up. Nils or John usually shows a riff or a part they wrote during the week and then we go from there until there is a song. So, the writing process becomes very natural and seamless. I think all of us think catchy and bouncy stuff is fun to write, so the dialing of our sound came as a result of fun for us.

Jake: Can I ask what happened with the original art or should we just leave that be?

Hugo: We’ll leave that be.

Jake: Y’all just dropped a sick promo record. Is there a general theme to that release and can we expect more new music at some point this year?

Hugo: There was no clear cut predetermined theme. We picked a couple of finished songs that we thought would make for a cool promo that could hold its own for a while. So, we picked a harder one in ‘Weak world’, and a catchier one in ‘Heavy Head’. We are really happy with how it turned out. We are working hard on new music right now. Things always take more time than expected but we hope to get it out asap.

Jake: The track with swedish vocals rips. What made you decide to do a track in your native language and do you think you’ll do any more like that?

Hugo: That is a cover by the legendary Totalitär out of Sweden. Check them out. We would definitely do more covers in the future.

Jake: Y’all got a stacked run of shows coming up with Speed, Sick to Your Guns and Combust to name a few. Any particular shows or cities you’re most stoked on?

Hugo: The run of mainland Europe with spy and combust is one that I am really stoked for. But nothing beats playing our hometown. We’re doing a festival called Moral Panic Fest in September, which I already know is going to be my favorite show this year.

Jake: Any plans to cross the pond and come to North America in the future?

Hugo: Oh yeah for sure. We would love to, some day.

Jake: Shout out some Swedish bands that deserve some hype!

Hugo: Every single Gothenburg hardcore band. Check out Moral Panic Records and everyone on there. To name a few: Outstand, Bulls Shitt, Spitball, Devil’s Exchange, Pipe Dream, Ceaseless.

Jake: Thanks for answering these Qs! Stoked to see what’s next for you and hear some more new music.

Hugo: Thank you!