New Music - Hello Operator
Posted December 7, 2007 — in Music News
Check out the new track Chasing Satellites from the Canadian indie rock act Hello Operator. From the very first notes, you can hear The Cars influence, but they hit another dimension with their escapist pop jangle tempered by a moody new-wave pulse. Much Music and Much Loud are playing the video for Chasing Satellites and several Canadian radio stations have featured the song and are going for adds in January. They were called a “newsmaker” in Macleans magazine, and listed as “one of 12 bands to watch out for” by Canoe.ca after their Canadian Music Week performance. They toured Canada with Hilary Duff, and have shared stages with Switchfoot, Simple Plan, Mobile, Hedley, Neverending White Lights, and Immaculate Machine. Also, check out the track 55 Regrets which came off their last EP and was always a KOAR favorite.
I love these tracks, catchy as hell! And I’m a fan of the Cars too. Ric Ocasek is a genius.
Comment by tom — December 7, 2007 @ 9:23 am
Really? i’d just rather listen to the killers. i think the Cars comparison is valid but its kind of lame because its so apparent.
Comment by rikki — December 7, 2007 @ 10:17 am
This song is salvageable. As it is, the production ruins it. He sounds like he’s just trying way too hard. I don’t believe anything he says.
If it had more of a 68 Guns or Train In Vain kind of vibe, it could be listenable.
You should check out this band, Dean. http://www.myspace.com/thejudies. They’ve got some fantastic songs, they can play (they’ve got the old lead guitarist from Variac now), & Warren is a genuine rock star.
Comment by Jon Cole — December 7, 2007 @ 11:59 am
Hey I’m going to have to agree with Tom..I think the songs are awesome…really catchy…nice hooks!! I guess Rikki didn’t notice how much the Killers ” borrowed ” from Springstein on Sam’s Town “comparison is valid but its kind of lame because its so apparent.” Every great band wears their influences on there sleeve.
I really hate when people think that anything “New Wave” sounding with a synth and a drum grove that is 4 on the floor with a sixteen note hi hat pattern was pioneered by The Killers. Hasn’t anyone heard of U2, Joy Division…Duran Duran?? why listen to the Killers when you can just listen to any of the bands i just mentioned.
It’s about the songs, The Killers are worth listening to cause they have great songs and I think this band has great songs too..I look forward to hearing more from them.
Tim
Comment by Tim — December 7, 2007 @ 4:02 pm
of course this is an unsigned band..right ? i mean the way major labels suck they must be doing all of this on their own…..
Comment by larry anderson — December 7, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
I like both these tracks, I agree, could use more bottom end, but the songs are good.
Comment by davey — December 7, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
The singer is pretty. I’d do her.
Comment by Virgil McLesh — December 7, 2007 @ 5:14 pm
Priceless comment Larry. At least if it included the sarcasm I think I sensed.
Comment by Jason — December 8, 2007 @ 5:39 am
“They toured Canada with Hillary Duff…”
…uhhhhhhh….
Comment by Stu Gots — December 8, 2007 @ 7:19 am
yes the band is unsigned, I’ve been following them for a while..
Comment by Phill — December 8, 2007 @ 9:40 am
The song needs a new middle8/bridge… make it a bit longer.. and it’s a hit!
Comment by Jason — December 8, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
Jason - Couldn’t agree more RE: Bridge, a tad longer = could be a HIT!
Dean
Comment by koar — December 8, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
ok Phill…if this band is NOT signed then who ever is working them knows what the hell their doing.
of course the band got some talent and good tunes to boot.
is this the possible “trend” or the 08 version of music that we have been looking for?
and if these guys can turn some big numbers in sales and do this without label support then this band has open the door for being a “truly indie band”
Comment by larry anderson — December 8, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
Larry, I agree.. but the manager doesnt seem to understand music. These guys do have potential, but the songwriting is not there yet. I personally wouldnt have exposed them to the industry yet. They only have one good song (the one KOAR posted here) but even that one still needs quite some work.
Comment by Jason — December 9, 2007 @ 9:20 am
Jason, the management does understand. KOAR just isnt an industry site. Its a site where a lot of people discover new music. Also, they have more than one good song…Let the band do their thing and grow in front the fans. We are living in back in the 70’s where there is no such thing as showcases. Bands in the 70’s never “prepared” for a industry showcase or had ‘industry demos”. Artists that take that approach are not real artists’. They are looking for quickie!
Artists today, perform live, exposed music, etc. That is what Hello Operator does…
Comment by lisa — December 9, 2007 @ 10:35 am
Lisa, only difference is that EVERYBODY’S WATCHING NOWADAYS!!!
You cant develop anymore, like in the 70s. Play low key gigs in the suburbs and then go to the city once you developed your act. As soon as you get out there, you’re exposing yourself to thousands of people, usually even more. Especially when you try to get featured on a site like KOAR and start a MySpace. That’s why you need to arrive 100% ready. EVERYBODY’S WATCHING! You only have one chance to make a first impression! It better be a terrific one…
Comment by Jason — December 9, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
Ok, I just checked out the management and it’s Coalition. Obviously they DO know what they’re doing, so I wanna take back my previous comments. However, I still think the songwriting of the band needs to be developed big time. Once they get that part handled, they can be huge.
Comment by Jason — December 9, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
Well yeah, like with most young bands, the songs could always be a bit better, but compared to so much stuff out there I think they’re really good. Seems to me the band is doing it the right way. The labels are in a bit of a messy state right now anyway, so I think it’s well worth their time get out, play shows and win over fans one at a time rather than wait until they have the one smash hit that a label may or may not recognize as being great anyway. At least they’re making progress and it seems from myspace comments that they have some kids paying attention. In the 70’s bands would take a couple of albums to develop and build up a following… labels don’t really get that anymore, they throw bands out there and see what sticks. Which is probably a big reason sales are declining. Even a band like U2 didn’t get it perfect on their first album, but thankfully, they were given the chance to keep at it. In the end, it’s about what fans want to hear, and nowadays it’s easier and easier to get music to people without a label, so we’ll see what happens. A word of advice to the band: Just keep developing, doing your thing - don’t let the industry suck the life out of you, and I think this could be really good. Remember it all comes down to great songs!
Comment by brad — December 9, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
these guys are amazing!
i already met them.
the first time i met them they were touring with brian melo!
i only went to the concert really to see him but then these guys were there and so was faber drive!
so that was a bonus for me!
now waiting on next year to come so i can meet the jonas brothers!!
Comment by Taylor — August 17, 2008 @ 8:29 am