HOAX and the doo wop punk, soul pop blended glitter ball cascade of "Wasting Time"

 

photo by Alejandro Pena (cropped)

It is difficult to step into the lovely sonic fray of "Wasting Time" by Queens, New York based HOAX without dancing, swaying even if, like me, you have two left feet (on a good day). The duo behind the music are Michael Raj and Frantz Cesar who are able to coalesce their alt indie pop sound (which they like to call "empathy pop") from hundreds of references. Touchstones like 60's pop, 70's Motown, alt R&B, I personally find tentacles of lounge punk, post punk, surf and goth pop throughout their songs in varying degrees.

"Wasting Time" is from their new"17-track project and long-awaited narrative-driven debut concept album entitled "b?" (Out Now!) detailing the inner workings of BEING vs. DOING."

Of the album, -Michael Raj expounds:

“Behind all the facades we put up, under all the masks we wear – there we are: Ourselves in Being form. It used to be very hard for me to explain what it meant ‘to be’ to other people. And believe me – I know I am not original in this line of questioning. For God’s sake, we all know what Shakespeare said through Hamlet, but as the album developed, it became clear to me that ‘being’ is synonymous with ‘peace’. And that peace looks different in everyone’s mirror. It starts with self-reflection, and never ends with anything other than life devotion to your truest form. I’ve said it so many times throughout our career, but if there is anything you take away from listening to HOAX and this album, it's to please prioritize your peace. We are only here for a moment in the blip of infinity, and during that blink, our peace and being will always be under the scrutiny of the randomness and chaos of life. Perfect the art of sitting still, to know yourself, show and embody empathy, and be authentic to your peace.”

As I stumble around (my attempt at dancing) at the percolating palm muted clipped guitar lines that give "Wasting Time" as the bass beat bops against surf rock drums and the vox that sound so gloriously soulful, 

"So don’t take any precautions, no we can’t waste anymore oxygen

In poor taste, spending this life all alone - for Pete’s sake baby
“pick up the goddamn phone” I know you want me
Like I want you, you’re the first thing that I think of when the sun shines through
I’m blinded by your lights, and even if I tried I could never deny your orbit in my mind
So spin me in circles till I go dumb, spin me in circles till I go

Spin me in circles till I go, till I go…"

AND as guitar melodies soar against flailing drums and that surf beat stomping down, it is like I am at that high school dance that I was too shy to attend catching the glimpse of that girl who I only dreamed about. 

-Robb Donker Curtius 

HOAX · Wasting Time

THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:

https://soundcloud.com/hoax_band

https://www.facebook.com/realhoaxband/

https://twitter.com/hoax_band

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2B2EixNjepQtd6N3mDcNnh

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCObDMXUVb0Rk6Zwf-TznfWg

https://www.instagram.com/hoax_band/

https://www.hoax-band.com/


HOAX is an indie pop-rock band from Queens, New York. It is the musical brainchild of Michael Raj and Frantz Cesar, who create the sonics and concepts behind their self-described style of “empathy pop” music. Their modern vintage musical sound draws from a wide range of influences like 60’s pop, 70’s Motown, and alternative R&B. They like to see themselves as “the beautiful sound of sadness”, a description coined by a close friend. Their music thematically focuses on the human condition, explorations of social constructs, and the decisions people make based from them, all tucked underneath pop melodies.

** At this particular time we find ourselves in a financial pinch due to many factors. We want to keep AP going. It has been a passion project for over 13 years. PLEASE consider donating, we could really use the support. Thanks so much


We get by with a little help from our friends

 

HOAX, indie pop, doo wop punk, 70's Motown, 60's pop, post punk, goth pop, sonic blend, 17 track debut album "b?", single "Wasting Time", Michael Raj and Frantz Cesar, Queens, New York,