Interview: Getting to Know House of Hosts (Written)
Commanding Welsh riff masters, House of Hosts, are primed to shake the UK metal landscape once again with the release of their blistering new video and single, Darkest Days, out now. This ferocious new track serves as a compelling prelude to the band’s highly anticipated EP, Reckoning, due out on Friday 26th September. In this interview, we get to know them a little better.
1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.
James: Depends which era you’re talking about haha. The band originally started out back in 2013, but then broke up after a series of lineup changes. We reformed back in 20222 and have been going from strength to strength since.
Jack: They then found me via a mutual friend. Jury’s still out on if that was a good or bad thing. Then I grabbed Ross for a second guitarist, and the current lineup was solidified.
2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?
Jack: A mate of ours described us as “heavier Alter Bridge”. I like that description, we do heavy riffs and melodic choruses. And then once in a while Ross brings out the Mick Gordon (Doom/Doom Eternal) style riffs.
3. What’s currently keeping you busy? A new album/EP/single release? A new video? Playing live, or planning ahead?
Jack: We’re building up towards the release of our debut EP, “Reckoning” in September. That being said, the day after writing this comes the lead single “Darkest Days” which we’re super excited to share with everyone! We’re also heading all the way to Northamptonshire on the same day to play the Northants Rocks festival, which we’re super excited about!
4. What is about this current period that is particularly exciting for you?
Jack: Just seeing the culmination of all of the work (and money) we’ve put into these tracks. Seeing people react to them, and just finally having more stuff out there!
5. Tell me about the work that has gone into making it a reality and what it means to you.
James: Honestly, it’s been a journey getting this EP ready for release where everything that could possibly go wrong has. We’ve often joked that this release is cursed but it’s finally here and we can’t wait to hear people’s reactions to it.
6. Making music and being creative can be a very positive experience and can be very good for the mind. In what way has making music had a positive impact on your mental health?
James: Having music in my has honestly got me through some pretty dark times. It’s that outlet for when you’re happy, sad or depressed. Hopefully for anyone listening it helps them know that they are not alone and that things will always get better.
Beth: Not mental health as such, but I have Tourette’s, and have done since I was 6 years old. Music (listening to and playing instruments — I have totalled 9 instruments throughout my 31 years) for me has helped ease the tics and give me some physical and mental down time, while enjoying what I do.
7. It can also be incredibly challenging, more so in the modern times. What have been some challenging aspects of making music and how have you overcome them?
James: I always tell people that weirdly the most difficult part of being in a band is not the music, it’s keeping 5 people together and working towards the same goal. Being in a band is hard work and requires a lot of commitment. We’ve all been in different bands before though but something about this band just feels different. Not only is the music bloody great (if we can say so ourselves) but we are a unit and we know where we are going.
8. How do you handle the online aspects of being in a band? Having to put out content constantly, promoting across several different social media platforms, and having your success measured in likes and follows?
James: Jack’s our social media manager, so I’m going to leave this to him.
Jack: The guys make me do it. I like seeing numbers go up.
9. How do you make this part of things enjoyable, and fulfilling, for yourself?
James: We just try and have fun with it. If we can make each other laugh then we like to think other people will enjoy it too.
10. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support you?
Jack: Give the bassist some love. He needs it.
11. Outside of music, what do you like to do to relax?
Jack: Pizza. Video games. Beer.
James: Warhammer 40k, the setting is incredible. Whilst I never seem to have time to tackle my pile of shame, I also love reading the books. I think I’m on book 37 in the Horus Heresy series.
Beth: My cat!
Ross: Uhhh… Art and Fantasy.
Dan: I also love me some Fantasy!
12. Where can people find you?
Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
