Few bands have undergone a transformation quite as striking as Hadda Be. Emerging initially as Foundlings, their early sound was marked by shimmering indie sensibilities, but over time, their music has taken a heavier, more dynamic turn—one that feels both urgent and deeply personal. Since the release of their debut album Another Life, recorded in just five intense days between lockdowns, the band has toured extensively across the UK, Europe, and the US, refining their sound and setting the stage for a bold new chapter. With their upcoming sophomore album in the works and a show with us just around the corner, we caught up with Hadda Be to talk about their evolution, the influence of life on the road, and what fans can expect from this next phase of their journey.
Your sound has evolved significantly since your early days as Foundlings. What inspired the shift towards a heavier, more dynamic style?
I think it’s largely due to our listening habits and musical tastes changing over the years. There’s that, but also shifting perspectives as you get older, I suppose. There’s a lot to rage against in the world at the moment and I think playing heavier music both reflects that and provides a kind of therapy for it; it’s a double edged thing. I also think that pairing the elegance of Amber’s voice with a heavier backdrop works very well and feels natural during the writing process.
Your debut album Another Life was recorded in just five days between lockdowns. How did that intense recording process shape the final sound of the album?
We captured a real ‘live’ energy with Another Life. We were so well drilled going into the studio that we worked very quickly and captured most of what you hear in only a few takes. After having had to delay the recording process a couple of times, due to the lockdowns, we were itching to finally get it done. I think you can hear that immediacy and sense of catharsis throughout Another Life.
Your 2022 single Mercurial hinted at a darker, more enigmatic direction. Can we expect to hear more of that on your upcoming sophomore album?
We think so, yes. With the new stuff, we’ve definitely moved into darker, more expansive territory. There’s more spoken word, more space in the music, slightly less emphasis on writing what might be deemed as ‘pop’ songs, etc. We can’t wait to start sharing our new tunes. We’re all very excited by how it’s sounding.
You’ve spent the last couple of years touring across the UK, Europe, and the US. How has life on the road influenced your songwriting and sound?
It’s given us lots of opportunity to hone our sound and develop all the new material we’ve been working on. Given that our first album came out during the pandemic, a lot of the opportunities we had playing overseas had been delayed from that period, so we definitely felt obliged to play music from that record, and were happy to do so, but we were always tinkering away in the background working on new songs. By the time we played the New Colossus Festival in New York City last year, a lot of the songs in the set were new. During the past couple of years, we’ve also met some amazing people who’ve helped to steer the band and develop a bit of a plan for the future of it. We’ve developed as a band so much over this last period of time.
Your lyrics are deeply personal and often explore themes of resilience and change. How has your perspectives as songwriters evolved since Hadda Be’s early days?
Lyrically, I think a lot of the new songs are looking outwards more, rather than being introspective, confessional (which has been the case in the past). I think we take inspiration more from the people around us, the challenges that we see, and the characters we come across. Writing songs is a craft in itself, so I’d hope that as we continue to write and grow as a band, the songs develop and our sound will naturally shift too - that’s the case for a lot of our favourite bands too.
As you head into the studio for your next album, are there any unexpected influences, experiments, or creative challenges you’re embracing this time around? How does this recording process feel different from your debut?
We worked with Andy from Stereolab in his studio in Bermondsey - he’s been instrumental in challenging us creatively, pushing us to try new things. As I say, the first record was very much four people in a room thrashing through the songs at a really fast pace. We’re really proud of that record, but this time we’re spending longer with each of the songs, thinking of each track as a mini-project in itself & aiming for something altogether more ambitious creatively.
Your music has been championed by independent publications and radio stations like BBC 6 Music and Radio X. How important has the independent music scene been to your journey as a band?
The independent music scene is vital for any band or artist. We’ve met so many incredible people who operate in the indie scene - mostly people doing it for the love of music; it’s probably the world’s most inefficient ‘get-rich-quick’ scheme nowadays. It’s important to feel part of a community when you’re making music - it can often feel challenging, the odds are stacked against you - but being around like-minded, passionate people makes all the difference. It very much operates in the ‘don’t be a dick’ model; lots of great people supporting each other along the way.
If someone had never heard Hadda Be before, what’s something about your band that might surprise them?
People tend to comment that we sound much heavier live. Though now I’ve said that it’s not much of a surprise anymore!
What’s been the most memorable moment of your journey as a band so far—whether on stage, in the studio, or elsewhere?
I’d say our trip to New Colossus festival in New York last year. To be able to take our music stateside felt like a huge step which we are all immensely proud of. We’d love to head back over soon.
Your upcoming show with us is just around the corner—what can audiences expect from your set, and how does it fit into this phase of your journey as a band?
Expect lots of new material and a few classics scattered in there for luck! We always want to put on a great show and come at it with lots of energy. We’re at a really exciting time with the band, gearing up to start releasing new music again, so now’s a great time to get in on the start of that journey.
By the REAL Editorial Team | March 18, 2025