Funky Aussie band, Haiku Hands, are ready to blow Canberra away with a whirlwind of a show on Saturday 7 May at UC Hub. Hitting the stage with their “rebellious, experimental, and wildly unconventional” high-energy performance, Canberran fans should buckle in for some a good old-fashioned chaos. 

Group member, Beatrice Lewis, sat down with Canberra Daily before hitting the road to chat about Haiku Hands’ upcoming international tour, inspirations behind the album, and what Canberrans need to prepare for this weekend…

What can Canberra fans expect from your show at UC?

“Canberra fans should expect total debauchery,” Bea laughed, “Our show at the moment is super fun, energised, and you’ll walk out a different person.”

“It’s a cathartic experience.”

What are you looking forward to the most coming to Canberra?

“I love Canberra! I actually have lots of family that live there, and I’ve played a few gigs there with other projects,” smiled Bea.

“Everyone is just up for a good time – there’s not much ego and Canberrans are just good people who are ready to party! It’s the ideal setting for a Haiku Hands show.”

What songs do you have a personal connection too, and what’s one you’re pumped to perform live?

“I love Shoot The Shot off the album. It’s all about expanding past what you believe in and your boundaries. The sentiment comes from Amelia Earhart’s letters to her husband where she says ‘look, you’re awesome, but I just want to be really clear that I have an independent life, and this is my priority’.

“At that time, her writing that and owning her dreams, she put her creative vision first in a world that doesn’t often encourage that. It’s about when people are brave and have the capacity to follow their dreams.

“It sounds a bit cheesy but that’s the sentiment.

“And my favourite to perform live? I just love Super Villain so much! It’s like being able to yell ‘f*ck this sh*t is just the funniest! It feels very cathartic.”

Your latest album is such a unique piece of art. What was the experience writing it?

“We wrote the album over four years, and it was a big journey, but a good journey. It was a discovery period, an exploration period, and just like stepping into a new creative world for me.

“Personally, it was such a fun period of discovery.

“We’re really involved and a very DIY, hands on, artistic band and we often very carefully choose who we work with. We’re into a very collaborative experience and everyone we’ve gotten to work with are amazing.

“Haiku Hands feels more like an art collective really, getting to work with different artists and all the directors and creative directions are incredibly good at what they do. It’s a nice meeting of creative minds.”

Your upcoming international tour looks insane. Which city are you looking forward to the most?

“All of them really. We’re playing at a gay pride festival in Seattle which I’m super excited about. I just love the community – they’re my favourite festivals.

“I’m really excited to play in LA because we have lots of friends there and our team is based there, but I’m just pumped for every single show. I can’t wait to travel and be over there and experience new audiences.

“Our crowd in America is so beautiful and fun and we’ve kept in touch over the last two years, so it’ll be nice.”

Haiku Hands plays UC Hub on 7 May. Visit Moshtix for tickets.