OVERCOATS ON A FIERY, FURIOUS SOPHOMORE ALBUM- “THE FIGHT”
WORDS BY IRVIN RIVERA
Brooklyn duo singer-songwriters OVERCOATS’ (Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell) electric harmony of layered, powerful vocals and haunting music “will break your heart and then put it back together.”
There’s definitely fire and angst that makes their unapologetic music very poetic and beautiful.
Somehow it makes you feel good but also ignites that fire that makes you not afraid to go deep and explore the abyss of your dark side.
Overcoats recently announced the release of their upcoming sophomore album “THE FIGHT” alongside the track and video for their song “Fire and Fury.” The duo also announced their North American headline tour and they are currently touring through North America with Cold War Kids.
“The Fight” is a ten-song battle-cry. It’s the kind of record that might inspire you to quit your job, run a marathon, divorce your husband, change your life in the way you always wanted to, but needed an extra push for. “The Fight” is the push.
In this exclusive interview, Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell, spoke about their upcoming album The Fight, the story behind the album, working with Cold War Kids, their music, recent music video for “Fire and Fury,” their North American headline tour and their dynamics in working together.
PHOTOGRAPHER: JOSEPH ADIVARI
Follow Overcoats:
Website | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
How was the journey from the conception to the creation of your new full-length album The Fight?
The journey was long and confusing, we searched for the perfect producers to work with. Our sophomore album needed to be a sonic and conceptual departure from our debut.
MAKEUP: JOSEPH ADIVARI, STYLIST: ALEXIS ASQUITH, HAIR: CAROLINA YASUKAWA
How would you describe the new energy that your album possesses?
It has more anger and more angst. Writing this new record as Trump came into office, a war on the female body was waged and climate change reached crisis point, meant that the songwriting was grittier, more unapologetic. We wanted to provide hope for each other and for our listeners, while also being able to tell the truth about what we were going through.
How do we become the warriors that will fight for the future that we wish to see in the world?
Be yourself! Individuality is the most radical thing we possess. Don’t let people categorize you, define you, or set your expectations.
How was the experience touring with Cold War Kids?
Amazing. They are the loveliest people to tour with. They treated everyone on our team with respect and that’s all you can ask for. Their fans were fun and welcomed us into their experience.
What inspired you to shave your heads in the music video of The Fool?
We wanted to do something shocking that would bind us together in this next chapter of our fight together. Women artists in history have shaved their heads in rebellion against cultural and professional pressures to look and behave in certain ways. We felt inspired by the power of androgyny and bucking trends.
How would you describe your music to those who are just getting into your music?
We would describe our music as music that will break your heart and then put it back together. Genreless but inspired by the movement of dance and disco, folk storytelling, and gang hymnals. It’s Swedish pop music mixed with punk rock. Our music is feel-good, but also tackles dark feelings and deep issues.
You mind sharing any memorable moment when you two first met? How was it?
We were instantly friends. We met sitting next to each other in an anthropology class our freshman year of college. We loved the same music, had similar academic interests and the same sense of humor. As we were walking back to the dorms together after that first anthro class, we walked into a low hanging tree branch. Had to be friends after that awkward moment.
How do you balance each other out?
We have a very special dynamic. It’s give and take - when one of us is feeling stressed, the other acts as the calming force. If one of us is nervous before a show, the other brings the excitement. We switch off roles, but we always try to work as a team. We also get to be good cop, bad cop - which is helpful in sticky situations.
What’s the best thing about Overcoats’ partnership?
The best thing about Overcoats’ partnership is the thing that got us started on this journey - the feeling of singing together. That magic feeling, of feeling like everything is perfect just for a moment, that is what keeps us going. It feels like the world isn’t broken, just for a second.
Whenever you make music, do you create it having the audience in mind or do you consider yourselves as well?
A bit of both. We started writing just for ourselves, when no one else was listening. Now it feels like we have a community of listeners and we want to connect with them and sing for them, as well as ourselves.
If you’re not making music, what usually keeps you busy?
We both do other forms of art, painting, ceramics, and textile art. We also love to be with friends and family when we’re not on the road.
If you were a book, what book would you be and why?
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. A female friendship for the books.
TOUR DATES
02/05 - New York, NY - Webster Hall ^
02/06 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club ^
02/07 - Richmond, VA - The National ^
02/08 - Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore ^
02/10 - Jacksonville, FL - Ponte Vedra ^
02/11 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theatre ^
02/12 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works ^
02/14 - Tulsa, OK - Cain’s ^
02/15 - Austin, TX - Stubb’s ^
02/21 - Los Angeles, CA – The Novo ^
04/02 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent
04/04 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
04/05 - Vancouver, BC - Fortune Sound Club
04/06 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
04/08 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
04/09 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
04/11 - Minneapolis, MN - Turf Club
04/14 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
04/15 - Detroit, MI - Deluxx Fluxx
04/16 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Cafe
04/17 - Toronto, ON - The Great Hall
04/18 - Montreal, QC - L'Escogriffe
04/23 - Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall
04/25 - Columbus, OH - The Basement
04/28 - Charlottesville, VA - The Southern
04/29 - Philadelphia, PA - The Foundry
04/30 - Boston, MA - Sinclair
05/02 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
^ with Cold War Kids