Hogz in Dandyland

Artist Information

Biography

***17th Annual Billboard World Song Contest - honorable mention for “Escher & Carrot Cake”***


HOGZ IN DANDYLAND is the moniker that multi-instrumentalist Brad Hogge goes by with his intriguing mix of dreamy ’80s acoustic pop and psychedelic ’60s folk. The debut album 'Across a Miracle' is an eclectic mix of keyboards, diverse layered acoustic and electric guitars, and all manner of other country fried instrumentation from banjo to harmonica! Hogge (aided by Miguel Urbitztondo on drums) weaves almost ethereal layers of relaxed guitars and smooth country vocals which work to good effect. Psychedelic is an understatement for this beautifully constructed album that oozes neon melodies and originality. A skillfully played instrumental concept album with mystery-spun fantasy texts of the lonely pig Freddy and his intended bride, Betty, in an extraterrestrial world!

The spirit of Syd Barrett floats in each case over the entire project. There are also bits of Jesus & Mary Chain, Elliot Smith, and Robyn Hitchcock (and, on “Whatever It May Be,” The Byrds), while Hogge's pleasing, delicate voice sometimes recalls Bob Dylan. His lyrics read like the ponderings of a love struck poet, although the album’s “concept” is evidently about a lonely hog named Freddy finding happiness and fulfillment. On floating, mesmerizing songs such as “Depths of Emotional Intrusion” and the nine-minute title track, chances are you will too.

Hogge's style is never defined by influences, with broad-based pieces that uncover many opposing contrasts. Acoustic minimalism and wide screen opulence, loud and quiet, pop and idiosyncratic experiments - these are just some of the contrasts exhibited on 'Across a Miracle'.

“It can be mind-numbing at times to follow traditional songwriting guidelines,” Hogge says. “Instead, I try to embark on creating something interesting and challenging for listeners. But I’m also torn when I’m reminded of the importance of simplicity…that’s when I place the material in the hands of mixing engineers to sort through my ideas and assemble the audio puzzle!”

Since the album's release, Hogge has produced videos for some of the songs on the record including the debut video for “Escher & Carrot Cake”, “Whatever It May Be” and soon to be released “Depths of Emotional Intrusion.” Hogge is also focusing on bringing some of his artwork to the stage as well, primarily utilizing the stippling technique as seen in the album artwork. Hogge announced in 2011 his plans for publishing his recent work and the possibility of transferring his work to the printing press in the not too distant future.

Meanwhile, HOGZ IN DANDYLAND II will evolve as Hogge plans for the sophomore album. He will likely pair up again with Urbitztondo (Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven, Sparklehorse, Daniel Johnston) on drums at Richmond’s Sound of Music Studios. The expectant 2012 release, currently titled 'Dr. Grimm’s Parade', is likely to be followed by a national tour. "It will be great to work with Miguel once again for the second album…and I’d love to get HOGZ IN DANDYLAND on the road," says Hogge.

Instrumentation

Brad Hogge - Banjo, Vocals, Bass, Drums, Trumpet, guitars, synthesizers, Piano, Percussion, Harmonica, mandolin, goose calls
Miguel Urbitztondo - Drums, Percussion

Discography

Across a Miracle (2009)
1. Stale-Frown-Turned-Grin
2. Conscious Benevolence
3. Depths of Emotional Intrusion
4. This Whole Life
5. Escher & Carrot Cake
6. Whatever It May Be
7. The Earliest Fourteenth
8. Rebirth (Cage of Laughter)
9. Angelica Queen
10. Across a Miracle
11. Lil' Smidgen
12. Hogz in Dandyland

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace
• YouTube

Audio

• Whatever It May Be
  Listen  
• Escher & Carrot Cake
  Listen  
• Depths of Emotional Intrusion
  Listen  
• This Whole Life
  Listen  
• Across a Miracle
  Listen  
• Conscious Benevolence
  Listen  
• Rebirth (Cage of Laughter)
  Listen  
• Lil' Smidgen
  Listen  
• Lil' Smidgen (Remix featuring Zack Bevelacqua)
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Whatever It May Be
• Escher & Carrot Cake
• Depths of Emotional Intrusion
• This Whole Life
• Across a Miracle
• Conscious Benevolence
• Rebirth (Cage of Laughter)

Video

HOGZ IN DANDYLAND - Whatever It May Be (Video)

HOGZ IN DANDYLAND - Escher & Carrot Cake (Video)

Photo Gallery

Press

• “…floating, mesmerizing…an enticing combination of reverb-drenched guitars and swirling keyboards…whimsical songs with a ‘60s psychedelic feel, mixed with more recent vintage dreampop and trippy rock.” [+ Show ]
  

  This oddly-named project is another example of one guy (Virginia’s Brad Hogge) who plays practically...This oddly-named project is another example of one guy (Virginia’s Brad Hogge) who plays practically everything and still manages to sound like a full a band. With an enticing combination of reverb-drenched guitars and swirling keyboards, Hogge’s whimsical songs have a ‘60s psychedelic feel, mixed with more recent vintage dreampop and trippy rock. There are also bits of Jesus & Mary Chain, Bevis Frond, and Robyn Hitchcock (and, on “Whatever It May Be,” The Byrds), while Hogge's pleasing, delicate voice sometimes recalls Bob Dylan. His lyrics read like the ponderings of a lovestruck poet, although the album’s “concept” is evidently about a lonely hog named Freddy finding happiness and fulfillment. On floating, mesmerizing songs such as “Depths of Emotional Intrusion” and the nine-minute title track, chances are you will too.

• "...beautifully weird concept album that oozes neon melodies and originality." [+ Show ]
  

  Here at LF we recently discovered the quirky folk pop that is Hogz in Dandyland, the creative genius...Here at LF we recently discovered the quirky folk pop that is Hogz in Dandyland, the creative genius of Brad Hogge (aided by Miguel Urbiztondo on drums occasionally). Debut album 'Across a Miracle' is an eclectic mix of keyboards, acoustic guitars and all manner of other country fried instrumentation from banjo to harmonica! Psychedelic is an understated desription of this beautifully weird concept album that oozes neon melodies and originality. But rather than harp on about what we think - we want you to experience it first hand. We hope you love it as much as we do!

• “...a very special psychedelic garage pop concoction, wonderfully quirky, skillfully played instrumental concept album with mystery-spun fantasy." [+ Show ]
  

  Behind this bizarre name is a pure One Man Show: Brad Hogge of Williamsburg, Virginia, with his Hogz...Behind this bizarre name is a pure One Man Show: Brad Hogge of Williamsburg, Virginia, with his Hogz in Dandyland debut. And a remarkable one indeed! Hogge plays - with a few drums tracks by Miguel Urbiztondo (Maki, Sparklehorse, Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven, Magnolia Electric Co.) - everything else himself: diverse layered acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, sometimes mandolin and banjo, sometimes a trumpet or harmonica. Hogge sings on "Across a Miracle" with a laconic faraway voice that fits perfectly on this very special psychedelic garage pop concoction with a lot of fuzz, reverb, echo and enriched with clear traces of alt. countryeskem Guitar Twang (brand: Fata Morgana skirt Arizona / deserty species). "Across a Miracle" breaks through the neo-psychedelic world of Plastic Land, Plan 9 and Rain Parade to the transfigured-dopigen mix of the Meat Puppets "Up On The Sun" and "Mirage," or Calexico in the fantasy frenzy. The spirit of Syd Barrett floats in each case over the entire project. A wonderfully quirky, professionally sound, well produced and a special mention! A skillfully played instrumental concept album with mystery-spun fantasy texts of the lonely pig Freddy and his intended bride, Betty, in an extraterrestrial world. In this story we may get involved, but also with the celebrated, always exciting, lively music as well!

• “…a sympathetic, eccentric-divisional release…broad-based pieces that uncover many opposing contrasts…acoustic minimalism and wide screen opulence, loud and quiet, pop and idiosyncratic experiments…HOGZ IN DANDYLAND bring their wild, courageous ideas throughout and to the end of play and always fascinating, never just pleasing…songs that kindle, stirring quickly a special charm and reward it to be heard.” [+ Show ]
  

  The debut album from HOGZ IN DANDYLAND develops as a sympathetic, eccentric-divisional release, in t...The debut album from HOGZ IN DANDYLAND develops as a sympathetic, eccentric-divisional release, in the realm of indie-rock. Behind the band name stands creative head Brad Hogge from Williamsburg, Virginia. With the exception to some drums, Hogge contributes the songwriting, vocals and instrumentation on Across a Miracle. Drummer Miguel Urbiztondo (Maki, Sparklehorse, Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven) supported the album. Over the course of twelve songs, Hogge's style is never defined by their influences, with broad-based pieces that uncover many opposing contrasts. Acoustic minimalism and wide screen opulence, loud and quiet, pop and idiosyncratic experiments - these are just some of the contrasts exhibited on Across a Miracle. Importantly, at the same time it is that HOGZ IN DANDYLAND bring its wild, courageous ideas throughout and to the end of play and always fascinating, never just pleasing. What the solo drives from Virginia can be understood despite the consistently audible system as uncompromising and focused. Creatively filling the instrument page width with the employment of, for example, mandolin, banjo, trumpet and keyboard does not exclude under any circumstances. Brad Hogge presents himself as creative loner, challenging listeners through writing and implementing interesting indie-rock songs that kindle, stirring quickly a special charm and reward it to be heard.

• "Hogge weaves almost ethereal layers of relaxed guitars and smooth country vocals which work to good effect...a well crafted record, oink, oink indeed.” [+ Show ]
  

  After managing to tear myself away from a strange train of thought after considering the bizarre nam...After managing to tear myself away from a strange train of thought after considering the bizarre name ‘Hogz in Dandyland,’ and further confusing myself looking at the large psychedelic pig printed on the CD itself, I managed to get around to actually listening to the album and found myself pleasantly surprised. 'Across a Miracle' is by no means a perfect album but there lies a certain level of genius in the essentially solo album from Brad Hogge who contributes vocals, guitar, bass, mandolin, harmonica, whistling and ‘occasional snorts’ to the record. Hogge weaves almost ethereal layers of relaxed guitars and smooth country vocals which work to good effect...a well crafted record, oink, oink indeed!

Setlist

(in no particular order)

Stale-Frown-Turned-Grin
Conscious Benevolence
Depths of Emotional Intrusion
This Whole Life
Escher & Carrot Cake
Whatever It May Be
Rebirth (Cage of Laughter)
Angelica Queen
Across a Miracle
Lil' Smidgen
Hogz in Dandyland...

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