HAVVK (pronounced Hawk) are an alternative rock band based in Dublin.
Fronted by Julie Hawkʼs dynamic, soaring vocal, HAVVKʼs music steers the listener from moments of immersive shoegaze to thrashing punk rock.
The grunge trio from Dublin - via London and Berlin - release their third album ‘To Fall Asleep’ this week. The album has been described as a “tumultuous rollercoaster ride of anxiety, paranoia, and the longing for reconnection, soundtracked by harder edges and sharper hooks than ever before.”
We caught up with Julie and Matt from the band to learn more.
1. What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
Matt: I listened to a lot of Radiohead growing up and still often do. I also regularly go back to an album by My Vitriol called Finelines and finally saw them play live at Scala last year which is one ticked off the list.
2. In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
Julie: PGP. (Pre. Gig. Pee.)
3. How do you wind down after a gig?
Matt: I don’t really find I wind down for a while. Nobody likes me after a gig. I’m the guy who wants to talk about what we did wrong and how we can do it better next time. So generally Julie is trying to avoid me at all costs!
4. What’s the one song (by another artist) you wish you’d written or recorded first?
Julie: 'Entertain' by Sleater-Kinney
5. What is your pet peeve?
Matt: When my cat Pete comes back from exploring and leaves wet paw prints everywhere throughout the house. He is a pet, it is a peeve, and he is a Pete. So I’ll see your Pet Peeve and raise you a Pet Pete Peeve...
6. Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
Julie: Off the top of my head, listen to ‘Vulture Window’ by Arooj Afrab, read ‘Where I End’ by Sophie White, and watch Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window’.
7. Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
Matt: … I mean I love David Lynch and I think he could make my life a bit more interesting and weird if he was involved, and if we are doing Lynch then I think it would also be funny to see Kyle McLachlan have a go at being me - although we look nothing alike and as far as I can tell have nothing in common. But I think the only chance this movie has of being a hit is if it tells a lot of lies - and acting is mostly lying, right?
8. You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Julie: Chips from Gino’s in Lusk. Optionally paired with leftover homemade chilli or curry.
9. Describe your perfect day off.
Matt: Currently… we are really busy, so good days off usually involve playing a bit of Minecraft or something a bit mind-numbing and hanging out with the cat.
10. Tell us, in one sentence, why we should come to your next gig (whenever it may be.)
Julie: You should come see us on our album tour so we can afford petrol and Gregg’s vegan sausage rolls (and because we would love to see you there).
BONUS QUESTION: Recommend a podcast and tell us why we should subscribe to it.
Julie: I am very much enjoying the Creep Dive at the moment - if you like irreverent conversations covering all things superstitious and depraved from Ireland and beyond, then you will enjoy this show.
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'To Fall Asleep' is released on Friday, March 15th. HAVVK play Dublin's Workman's Cellar on March 22nd.
