One never knows when they’ll meet someone that’ll change their life for the better. Nora and Eric attended an after-hours party for an artist in 2012 as strangers but left as so much more. After talking all night a spark was ignited and music was made in more ways than one. Soon enough Hot Date was born. Fast Forward to today and they have a new album out, Spaces. Before they announce plans for a spring tour, get to know more about the new music, their connection and more.
Kendra: Do you feel that being in a band together has allowed you to explore more of your own relationship outside of music?
Nora: There is a vulnerability that comes with collaboration. It’s definitely how I process a lot of things. Sharing my ideas with Eric, or anyone is still a very challenging part of making music for me.
Eric: Of course working so closely together on our art adds a whole other dimension to our relationship. It’s a huge thing to share and brings additional purpose to our partnership.
Kendra: Things seem to be working out well on all fronts because you just dropped Spaces at the start of this year. Looking back though, how would you say the other has grown compared to 2015’s For Lovers?
Hot Date: For Lovers, was more impulsive and very much a product of spontaneity. Which was great, I don’t think we knew what we were making at the time. Our second EP, Three Sides To A Story, is a less romanticized version of songwriting. I think it shows more critical thinking. Lately, I’ve been more interested in highlighting reality rather than the dream state of our first album. Spaces is a concept piece that explores mental states and how we feel about where we were, where we are and where we want to be.
Kendra: When y’all started you said red wine was there for your songwriting, but if you had to pair Space with a wine which would it be and why?
Hot Date: A Taittinger, it’s a toasty, dry, crisp wine from France. I think it’s every bit as good as Champagne (but less expensive). It gives you such a great, heady buzz and beautiful to look at too. The bubbles could almost be stars in space. It’s the kind of thing you can drink all night and feel immortal but then, the next morning…Let’s just say, you get the highs and lows, which is something we wanted our audience to feel with this new album too.
Kendra: You seem very proud of your home in Minnesota. Was that part of the reason for the homage “MN Goddess?”
Hot Date: Minnesota is notorious for state pride. It has a way of getting into your soul. The homage to MN was inspired by the relationships I’ve built here. There is a very specific type of woman you meet from Minnesota. They are strong and natural beauties who will love you until the end of time. I grew up in New Jersey and, beyond my relationship with my own sisters, I hadn’t experienced a culture of women supporting each other quite like that before. It’s inspiring and grounding and important now more than ever. In a way, they have helped me connect more deeply with myself. (Although I could easily write a love song about New Jersey beauties too.)
Kendra: What is the “Nightlife” like in Minnesota for those who’ve never been?
Hot Date: Nightlife in Minnesota…Well, we should say how we have this great arts scene; live music and theater for days, it’s true. However, we aren’t a late night city. Everything (other than after hours artist parties) shuts down pretty early. Minnesotans rely on the modest nightlife we do have because it saves us from going insane from isolation (it’s really freaking cold here and hard to leave the house). Our song, “Nightlife,” is definitely about escapism in that way. It captures the moments you want to run from reality and feel a little number.
