Hatcham Social

Hatcham Social

Hatcham Social are a British alternative guitar band from New Cross, United Kingdom, active from 2006. The group consists of brothers Toby Kidd and Finn Kidd, with Toby Kidd on vocals and Finn Kidd on drums, alongside David Claxton on guitar.

Career

The band releases early seven-inch singles on labels including Loog and WAKS. Their debut album, You Dig the Tunnel, I’ll Hide the Soil, appears in 2009 on Fierce Panda in Europe and on TBD in the United States. Tim Burgess produces the album, and it receives strong critical notices, including a 10/10 review in Vice, 8/10 in NME, and Album of the Month in Artrocker. It also appears on many end-of-year top 20 album lists, while the single “Crocodile” is named Artrocker’s Single of the Year for 2009.

The second album, About Girls, appears in 2012. It is produced by Jim Anderson, with one track by Laurie Latham, and is described in reviews and comments from broadcasters and music writers as poppier and more playful than the debut. The album is also called “full of nagging hits” by Loud and Quiet, “a stunner” by NME, and “pure indie pop brilliance” by Steve Lamacq. BBC America names Hatcham Social one of the top five UK bands to see at SXSW, and The Quietus notes its new direction.

A third album, Cutting Up the Present Leaks Out the Future, is set for release on Tim Burgess’ Ogenisis Records in early 2014. It is the band’s most personal record, self-recorded and self-produced, and made in live takes to tape. The album is described as dark and experimental, with the group continuing to develop its songwriting.

Style and context

Hatcham Social are associated with alternative guitar music, indie rock, post-punk, indie and shoegaze. Their output is linked to labels and figures within British independent music, including Fierce Panda, TBD, Tim Burgess, Jim Anderson and Laurie Latham.