HotChaCha
Encyclopedia
HotChaCha is a Cleveland-based art punk
band composed of Jovana Batkovic (vocals), Mandy Aramouni (guitar/keyboard), Heather Gmucs (bass) and Roseanna Safos (drums). The band plays a progressive rock influenced by a blend of shoegaze and punk.
, and later enlisted Lisa Paulovcin to play drums. Prior to the formation of the band, Jovana Batkovic had a career in theater as a regional actress. Batkovic had a minor role in the music video for the 2006 single, "Your Touch
" by The Black Keys
. HotChaCha played their first show at Pat's in the Flats in 2007 as part of a benefit for the Cleveland Rape crisis center. After seeing the show, Heather Gmucs expressed interest in playing bass and joined the band.
, 2008 Ingenuity Festival, 2008 MidPoint Music Festival
, and 2008 CMJ Music Marathon
.
on September 2, 2010.
HotChaCha continued touring, and were featured performers at CMJ Music Marathon 2010 and Ingenuity Festival 2010.
"Jaccuse" 2008
"Bob" 2009
"Ticket Away from Prague" 2009
"Traffic" 2010
Art punk
Art punk or avant punk refers to punk rock of an experimental bent, or with connections to art school, the art world, or the avant garde....
band composed of Jovana Batkovic (vocals), Mandy Aramouni (guitar/keyboard), Heather Gmucs (bass) and Roseanna Safos (drums). The band plays a progressive rock influenced by a blend of shoegaze and punk.
Formation
HotChaCha formed in 2007 when Jovana Batkovic and Mandy Aramouni decided to start a band over coffee at the West Side MarketWest Side Market
The West Side Market is the oldest operating indoor/outdoor market space in Cleveland, Ohio. It is located at the corner of West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue in the Ohio City district. On December 18, 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.-History:The market began...
, and later enlisted Lisa Paulovcin to play drums. Prior to the formation of the band, Jovana Batkovic had a career in theater as a regional actress. Batkovic had a minor role in the music video for the 2006 single, "Your Touch
Your Touch
"Your Touch" is a single from the The Black Keys fourth album, Magic Potion.The song was featured in the 2009 film Zombieland, episode 1 of Eastbound and Down, and runs during the opening scenes of the "Manic Monday" episode of the HBO series Entourage.-Track listing:# Your Touch # Strange Desire #...
" by The Black Keys
The Black Keys
The Black Keys are an American rock duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney. The band was formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. As of October 2011, the band has sold over 2 million albums in the U.S....
. HotChaCha played their first show at Pat's in the Flats in 2007 as part of a benefit for the Cleveland Rape crisis center. After seeing the show, Heather Gmucs expressed interest in playing bass and joined the band.
Live performances and reception
The members of HotChaCha had no expectations of fame, but their confidence increased after positive audience reception in Cleveland and beyond. Jovana Batkovic brings a theatrical element to her performance and the band was named a "band to watch" in 2009 by Scene Magazine. They often struggle with the "Girl Group" label, but critics have come to their defense and question if the label is even necessary.Rifle, I Knew You When You Were Just a Pistol (EP)
The debut release on Exit Stencil Recordings in 2008 featured four multi-lingual tracks. The EP received positive reviews, including CMJ. After the release of their EP, they went on to perform in the Summer Sessions Concert Series at the Rock and Roll Hall of FameRock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
, 2008 Ingenuity Festival, 2008 MidPoint Music Festival
MidPoint Music Festival
MidPoint Music Festival launched in 2002 in Cincinnati, Ohio, as an independent music festival and industry conference. The annual three-day event occurs each Septemberin the city's downtown and historic Over-the-Rhine entertainment district...
, and 2008 CMJ Music Marathon
CMJ Music Marathon
CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival is put on by CMJ Network. CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival 2010 is scheduled for October 19–23 and will be headquartered at New York University and other downtown NYC venues.- History :...
.
The World's Hardest Working Telescope and the Violent Birth of Stars (CD/LP)
Roseanna Safos replaced Lisa Paulovicin on drums just prior to the release of the album. The release party at the Grog Shop in Cleveland's Coventry Village also featured the release of a music video for the single "Ticket Away From Prague" filmed by cinema photographer Noel Maitland.Fantastic Static (EP)
HotChaCha began working on new material immediately after their debut album release. During this time they began a touring relationship with the band We are Hex from Indianapolis. In anticipation of their touring together, they released a split cassette titled "Naturally Proper". The HotChaCha live demo recordings for the cassette were done at the home studio of Justin Coulter of the band Roue in Cleveland. The studio recordings for the "Fantastic Static" (EP) were done at the home studios of We are Hex in Indianapolis, and mixed by We are Hex drummer, Brandon Beaver. They began selling the EP at a live show with The BreedersThe Breeders
The Breeders are an American alternative rock band formed in 1988 by Kim Deal of the Pixies and Tanya Donelly of Throwing Muses. The band has experienced a number of line-up changes; the current line-up consists of Kim Deal , her twin sister Kelley Deal , Jose Medeles , Mando Lopez Todd the Fox...
on September 2, 2010.
HotChaCha continued touring, and were featured performers at CMJ Music Marathon 2010 and Ingenuity Festival 2010.
Albums
- 2009: The World's Hardest Working Telescope and the Violent Birth of Stars (Exit Stencil)
EPs
- 2008: Rifle, I Knew You When You Were Just a Pistol (Exit Stencil)
- 2010: Fantastic Static (Exit Stencil)
Videography
"It's Hard to be a White Boy in 1992" 2008"Jaccuse" 2008
"Bob" 2009
"Ticket Away from Prague" 2009
"Traffic" 2010