A Chat with Quaint Hang (08.08.24)
He might be inspired by artists like Broken Social Scene and Shop Assistants, but singer-songwriter Quaint Hang has a sound and style that is entirely his own – the Quaint Hang sound, if you will. The brainchild of Ralph Kinsella, Quaint Hang delves into indie-pop, folk and alternative pop with bold eclecticism. We speak with Kinsella about his debut EP Somber, bucket lists, greatest achievements and more.
OSR: Cliche, I know, but what drew you to music? Why did you want to pursue a career in music?
Kinsella: I think music is a lifeline for everyone at some point. Sometimes an escape. I read this idea once that music is like doing your ’emotional laundry’. I guess, sometimes it is. But, for me, listening to and making music has always been about digging deeper. Feeling harder. I don’t know about sitting down with a desire to pursue a career in music, but what I am looking for is comfort in connection to others, just like music has always done for me.
OSR: You recently released your debut EP Somber. What can you tell us about it? Is there a particular theme or backstory?
Kinsella: Somber is really close to my heart. It’s all about those deafening moments of introspection. Each track reflects a different story of navigating those emotions. I’ve always thought my music lives in a constant state of melancholy.
OSR: Production of albums can be challenging. Did you face any challenges creating Somber? If so, how did you manage and overcome them?
Kinsella: Definitely! There’s something in the nostalgia of lofi that I drift to. I’m just finishing up a full-length album, and even though I think I’ve always just tried to make it sound as good as I possibly can, recording in the spare room and vocals in the back of my Dacia Sandero, it’s probably destined for lofi territory. But, for me, one of the biggest or most important challenges was making sure the emotional tone of the songs came through clearly. The blank canvas and infinite options are a terrifying thing; my rule is, if the part isn’t saying something specific, it’s gotta go.
OSR: What was the most exciting and least exciting thing about creating Somber?
Kinsella: The most exciting part was watching each idea transform from an idea into something real and impactful. Something I really believe in. The least exciting? Probably trying to set up a mic in a car to try for quiet vocal takes.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Kinsella: Music is like a second language for me (buy a cliche, get one free). It’s a way to express what I can’t always articulate and a means of connecting on a deeper level. I remember, as a kid, picking up this tape record from Mono in Glasgow (it was a band on a wonderful Swedish label, Hapna) and being blown away, not only by the recording but the concept of connection. It’s both a personal refuge and a way to reach out and relate to people.
OSR: What do you hope people take from the EP?
Kinsella: If it helps someone reflect on whatever they want, then it’s done its job.
OSR: If you had to describe your music in one sentence, what would that be?
Kinsella: My music is a mix of introspective lyrics and vulnerable tunes that dive deep into the emotional side of life.
OSR: What is your greatest achievement, and it doesn’t have to be music-related?
Kinsella: My daughters, Violet and Cosima.
OSR: Do you have a bucket list, and what is on the top?
Kinsella: To perform at All Tomorrow’s Parties (ATP), though, I’d have to go back in time for that one.
OSR: What line from a song has had the biggest impact on you?
Kinsella: I’m too fickle for that. Changes every week, day, minute. ‘Dream Baby Dream’, maybe, more recently, ‘I Was Born A Unicorn’. Both song titles and transcendent lyrics. Especially the latter.
OSR: What can we expect from Quaint Hang in the future?
Kinsella: Finishing up my debut album, Faded Pinks and Blues. Playing shows. I’m also excited about collaborating with other artists and exploring new creative directions.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Kinsella: Thanks for taking the time to read through my thoughts. I hope you find something in Somber that resonates with you.
Many thanks to Ralph Kinsella for speaking with us. Find out more about Quaint Hang on his Instagram and Bandcamp.
