Hexes & Ohs: CMW '09 Special

Montreal's Hexes & Ohs are the cutest couple band in indie rock. The duo knows how to bust a groove and make the first move. CHARTattack spoke with Edmund Lam.

Hometown: Montreal

Members:
Heidi Donnelly (synth, bass, electronics, vocals)
Edmund Lam (guitar, drums, electronics, vocals)

Official Website: www.hexesandohs.ca

CHARTattack: So, you're about to play the big industry event that is Canadian Music Week. What's the most shameless thing you've ever done to promote your band?
Edmund Lam: We're too shy to really be shameless self-promoters, but if there's something we do, it's probably giving out unsolicited demos to bands we love.

We played with Mates Of State once, and they are basically our idols. We gave them a demo and they told us they'd listen to it in their van. Their manager gave us one of their CDs as a thank you. It was very sweet of them. We love that band.

What's the hardest part about being an up-and-coming band?
Having to live the double life. Do the band thing, which is fun, but mentally and physically demanding most of the time, and then maintain a day job and sometimes a social life.

How important is it for your band members to circulate and flirt with the audience before or after the show?
We usually enjoy being out front experiencing the show and watching the other bands, so inevitably we'll chat with a few people. We just don't feel comfortable sitting backstage the whole time like some bands do, but I wouldn't really say it's any kind of mandate for us.

Have you ever stolen from someone else's rider? If so, who was it and what did you take?
Yeah, we've definitely had wine, beer and cheeses that belonged to bands we've opened for. I remember the Ivy show, in particular. The bands don't usually care; it's the promoters that get upset. Then again, we've never opened for anyone like Guns N' Roses. They'd probably kick the crap out of us.

Have you ever been graded before according to CHARTattack.com's Rock 'n' Roll Report Cards?
Yes, for our show at NXNE 2006. It was totally brutal. One of the sections said something like "they sound like they'd be bad in bed."

I had friends sending me emails of condolence. We've gotten a lot better since, so hopefully we will sound like better lovers this time around.

Have you done anything new or interesting this week?
We got a bunch of old whiskey from my parents. I think some of it may be worth some money. One of them is a commemorative bottle from the Charles and Diana royal wedding. Crazy stuff. We're asking around to see if anybody knows an appraiser.

Hexes & Ohs play the Horseshoe Tavern on March 14 at 1:10 a.m. as part of the annual CHARTattack/Horseshoe/Canadian Music Week showcase.

Check out CHARTattack's official CMW microsite here.