"Repeated actions bring joy: Hot Chip share old footage detailing the creation of one of their most cherished hits"
Hot Chip's hit track "Boy From School" was born from a simple idea penned by Alexis Taylor in Joe Goddard's brother's bedroom. Initially, the song took shape as a waltz-time piece, with a Casiotone organ and drum machine providing the rhythm[1].
Joe Goddard, known for his dedication to pop music akin to Brian Wilson's[3], then suggested transforming the track into a disco number. The band obliged, re-recording it with a repeating Vox electric piano riff that Joe processed with auto-wah and phasing effects to create the track's distinctive sound[1]. A Casiotone MT-70 was used to generate the galloping bassline, while a lap steel guitar was added for a new bridge section, conceived by Joe[1].
The production process combined electronic instruments and live instrumentation, resulting in the unique blend of disco and indie electronic styles that characterise the track. Behind-the-scenes footage shows Joe working on vocals and adding subtle touches like xylophone in his bedroom studio[2].
The footage also includes clips filmed by Pete Goddard, showing Joe working on various aspects of Boy From School's percussive groove[2].
The title of Hot Chip's upcoming album, "Joy In Repetition," reflects the joy found in rhythms, grooves, and making records[4]. This album, scheduled for release on September 5, is Hot Chip's latest offering after 20 years of making records together[5].
Alexis Taylor expressed that they still love making records together, and the title of Joy In Repetition signifies the joy they find in repeating the process again and again[4].
"Boy From School" was released as a single in May 2006 and reached Number 40 in the UK Top 40[1]. The track is from Hot Chip's second album, The Warning[6]. The album's Peter Blake sleeve features a monkey with a miniature cymbal[7].
References:
- Hot Chip: The Story of Boy From School
- Behind-the-scenes footage of Hot Chip's Boy From School posted on Instagram
- Alexis Taylor compares Joe Goddard's dedication to making pop music to Brian Wilson's
- Alexis Taylor explains the title of Joy In Repetition
- Hot Chip's Best Of album, Joy In Repetition, is scheduled for release in September
- Boy From School is from Hot Chip's second album, The Warning
- The Peter Blake sleeve of Joy In Repetition depicts a monkey with a miniature cymbal
In the creation of Hot Chip's album, "Joy In Repetition," the band found joy in repetitively making records, a process akin to Joe Goddard's dedication to pop music, similar to Brian Wilson's. The track "Boy From School," with its disco and indie electronic blend, showcases this commitment to pop-culture and music, including elements such as the repeating Vox electric piano riff and the use of a Casiotone MT-70 for the galloping bassline.
