Daily Music Dose

Based in Melbourne, The Hampdens consist of vocalist Susannah Legge, guitarist/bassist Gavin Crawcour and keyboardist Julian Hewitt. Taking their name from Donna Tartt's novel "The Secret History" about students at Hampden College involved in a pagan cult, the band bring a fresh perspective to the indie pop scene.

The Hampdens are far from being shallow like their pop contemporaries, where people like Britney Spears have repetitive, shallow lyrics, The Hampdens lyrics read like a poem. Their nostalgic observations of youth seem to capture what it is to be young in the 21st Century, in an almost self-referential way (I'm sick and tired of apathy / And Cobain tributes / Buy some time and make a bid for Generation Y / Why can't I get it together? / Meet me tonight on myspace / I'll be there waiting). Their literary lyrics are not at the expense of being catchy though- Legge bends lyrics around melodies in a seamless way that doesn't follow the formulas or rhyme patterns of most popular music.

Perhaps my favourite aspect of The Hampden's music is the arrangement of synth, instruments and Legge's voice. The sound is simple, but the overall message is complex, with various layers of meaning and sound. Their music videos are much the same- simple in concept, but with a with emotional and intellectual depth. It seems almost criminal they are not taking the world by storm- but its also nice having them as your own little secret.



I don't know, do you feel?
Heat rises from the ground as the nails fall from the sky
I don't know, do you feel?
Women stop and stare as my face dissolves away

-The Hype



- Generation Y



-Asleep on the Lawn



-Croupier