Hunger Anthem is an indie-rock band from Athens, Georgia with an unabashed penchant for distortion drenched, gritty, tightly executed power-pop immediacy, deeply rooted in a lo-fi approach and ever-evolving, bearing an evident DIY punk rock work ethic and ethos. Started as a solo project of singer/songwriter Brendan Vaganek in Buffalo, NY, the self-titled first album was recorded on a Tascam cassette 4-track in various basements and living rooms. The record, originally released on Vaganek’s bedroom label Broken Brain Records, steadily gained attention for its strong melodic nature, the cohesive juxtaposition of electric and acoustic tracks, and well-crafted lyrical imagery and directness. It was followed by frequent acoustic solo shows and full band sets around the northeast and midwestern US.
The second release, Cut the Chord, brought in Georgia bred drummer Cameron Kelly, and was tracked in a short period of time at Triple Outlet Treehouse in Athens, GA during one relentlessly scorching summer. Most of the basic tracks were done live in one or two takes. The curious possum onlooker that made frequent appearances during recording can be seen on the front cover hiding in the trees. Followed by regular touring and ongoing writing, consistent discipline has kept the band moving forward through twists and turns, and on the road with tight, high energy live shows, forever grateful of friendships forged along the way, as well as the sum of moments and unfolding experiences of both the unexpected and the familiar.
Looking for a studio with somewhat of an expanded dynamic range, the third and forthcoming record Lift (due out December 6th via Cornelius Chapel Records) utilized the potential and capabilities of Espresso Machine in Athens, recorded by Mike Albanese (Maserati, Bit Brigade, The Bad Ends, Life In Vacuum) and mastered by Joel Hatstat (Archers of Loaf, Jeff Rosenstock, Worriers). It’s borne of love and sweat, and pulls deeply from the well of observation, longing, acceptance, and perseverance.
Today Glide is offering an exclusive premiere of the standout track “Hours and Miles” along with its music video. Hitting out of the gate with a burst of bar band electricity, this is a proper road song about the fun and unpredictability of touring. With snarling vocals and an undertone of both punk and power pop, “Hours and Miles” captures the hard-rocking sound of this band as they keep the energy up and provide a clever ode to the touring life.
Frontman Brendan Vaganek describes the inspiration behind the tune:
“‘Hours and Miles’ is a song about beginnings, observation, the endurance needed for travel, and what it takes to navigate and find a way through different situations that can arise. Some can be difficult, some more hopeful. Often working through the difficulties can lead to a realization that there can be light on the other side, and maybe the thing that once seemed nearly insurmountable wasn’t as tough as it first appeared to be.”
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