Hippo Campus Explained

Hippo Campus
Landscape:yes
Origin:St. Paul, Minnesota
Years Active:2013–present
Label:Psychic Hotline, Grand Jury Records, Transgressive Records
Current Members:
  • Jake Luppen
  • Nathan Stocker
  • Zach Sutton
  • Whistler Allen
  • DeCarlo Jackson

Hippo Campus is an American indie rock band from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Their musical inclinations appear to be firmly rooted in the UK, drawing inspiration from notable artists such as Little Comets and King Krule.[1] They are signed to Psychic Hotline in the United States and Transgressive Records in the United Kingdom.[2] The band has performed at South by Southwest, Lollapalooza,[3] Bonnaroo,[4] Summerfest[5] and Reading and Leeds Festivals, as well as on Conan. Hippo Campus were named one of NPR Music's favorite new artists of 2017.[6]

History

Formation (2013)

Hippo Campus was formed when Jake Luppen (lead vocals/guitar), Nathan Stocker (lead guitar/vocals), Zach Sutton (bass/keyboard), and Whistler Isaiah Allen (drums/vocals)[7] met at the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists where they studied jazz, and Luppen trained in opera. SPCPA friend DeCarlo Jackson (trumpet) began playing regularly with them in 2017. Many of them played in other bands (Blatant Youth/Whistle Kid; Danger, Will Robinson/Northern) before uniting as Hippo Campus, a name Nathan Stocker chose while in psychology class. They often performed under their stage names The Turntan, Stitches, Espo, and Beans respectively, but no longer use the names on stage.[8]

Tarzan Rejects EP (2013)

Hippo Campus recorded and released an EP entitled Tarzan Rejects in 2013. This EP consisted of five tracks, two of which are original recordings of the songs "Little Grace" and "South".[9]

Bashful Creatures and South EPs (2014–2016)

On November 18, 2014, Hippo Campus independently released their EP titled, Bashful Creatures,[10] produced by Low's Alan Sparhawk. They later signed with Grand Jury records, and re-released Bashful Creatures with their new label on May 5, 2015.[11] The band supported the release with an appearance at SXSW, and a performance on Conan.[12] The EP featured two singles, "Little Grace" and "Suicide Saturday",[13] and Hippo Campus did live sessions at KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic,[14] and KEXP.[15] On December 26, 2015, they appeared on the nationally broadcast CBS This Morning.[16] Paste named them Best of What's Next in 2015.[17]

On August 30, 2015, the band's song "The Halocline" was featured in the series finale of the TNT series Falling Skies[18] and later they toured with Modest Mouse,[19] Walk the Moon,[20] The Mowgli's, Rubblebucket, Vacationer, My Morning Jacket, and they made an appearance at Lollapalooza in Chicago, Summerfest in Milwaukee, Rock the Garden in Minneapolis,[21] and Reading and Leeds Festivals in the United Kingdom.

Hippo Campus released their second EP, South in October 2015. South went to #16 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.[22]

Landmark and warm glow EP (2016–2018)

The band released the single "Boyish"[23] prior to their first full-length album, the guitar-based Landmark, which came out February 24, 2017.[24] The #3 Billboard Heatseeker album was produced by BJ Burton, who produced albums for Low and Bon Iver.[25]

Landmark was described by the Minneapolis Star Tribune as "loaded with thickly cushioned ambiance, billowy melodies and concisely written songs."[26] Their second single from the album was "Way It Goes"[27] which they performed on their second appearance on the Conan show.[28]

They played a sold-out show at the iconic venue First Avenue in March 2017, and then Hippo Campus embarked on an international headline tour. That summer they played Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, Tennessee and Lollapalooza in Chicago.

Hippo Campus next released a self-produced three-song EP called warm glow on September 12, 2017.[29]

In spring and summer 2018, Hippo Campus performed at Sasquatch! Music Festival in George, Washington,[30] and again at Reading and Leeds Festivals in the UK, and opened for Sylvan Esso at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado.[31]

Bambi and Demos (2018–2020)

The band's sophomore album Bambi, released September 28, 2018, was preceded by the singles "Passenger", "Golden", and "Bambi". Once again produced by BJ Burton,[32] the Boston Globe noted that it was "a massive step forward" as the band used more synthesizer and programmed drums.[33]

Hippo Campus headlined their own tour from Fall 2018 into Winter 2019 across the United States, the United Kingdom[34] [35] and Europe.[36] They did a live session at WFUV radio,[37] among other similar appearances.

In Fall 2018, they performed at venues like Chicago’s Riviera Theater[38] and New York City’s Terminal 5[39] and UK indie hotspot SWX Nightclub in Bristol on their Bambi Tour.

In March 2019, Hippo Campus performed in two countries in Asia. During the summer of 2019, Hippo Campus joined their tour with The Head and the Heart, opening at venues such as Red Rocks for two sold out shows.

During June and July 2019, the band released two demo albums. Demos I was released on June 14, 2019 and consisted of early/alternate versions of songs that had been previously released on Bambi.[40] Demos II was released on July 10, 2019 and consisted of songs that were worked on during the same time as Bambi, but not included on the album.[41]

The band's frontman, Jake Luppen, released his debut solo album as "Lupin" in October 2020.[42]

Good Dog, Bad Dream EP, LP3 and Wasteland EP (2021–2023)

On August 6, 2021, the band released the EP Good Dog, Bad Dream.

Hippo Campus released the single "Boys" on October 18, 2021, as well as announcing a new album, LP3, which was released on February 4, 2022.

On February 16, 2023, Hippo Campus announced the release of a new single titled "Kick In The Teeth", which was released on February 21.[43]

On April 14, 2023 Hippo Campus released the Wasteland EP consisting of five tracks. Inspired by the sounds of country music, the EP marked a change in sound from their previous records. Dork described the album as a "succinct package hurtling Hippo Campus in an unexpected but exciting direction".[44] [45]

On June 23, 2023, the band released a cover of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs song "Maps" in collaboration with Luppen’s wife Raffaella [46]

Flood (2024-present)

On April 30 2024, Hippo Campus released the single "Everything At Once" with an acompanying music video marking the band's first release with Psychic Hotline as their record label.[47] [48] A second single, "Tooth Fairy", was released on June 4, 2024.

On July 16 2024, the single "Paranoid" was released along side the announcement of a new album titled Flood due for release on September 20, 2024.[49]

Philanthropy

As part of the Me Too movement, Hippo Campus teamed up with the Women's Foundation of Minnesota to help donate profits from their merchandise sales to that foundation.[50] They partnered with Normal Parents and Everytown For Gun Safety selling special "Thoughts and Prayers" T-shirts to raise awareness.[51]

Headlining tours

Discography

Studio albums

Demo albums

EPs

Singles

Notes and References

  1. Web site: On the radar: Hippo Campus - Document - Gale In Context: Biography . 2023-12-07 . go.gale.com.
  2. News: Dhillon . Achal . Artist of the day 08/02: Hippo Campus . 20 November 2018 . Metro UK . February 8, 2017.
  3. News: Taroy . Daniel . #TBT: Lollapalooza edition with Hippo Campus and Frenship . 20 November 2018 . Fast Company . August 17, 2017.
  4. News: Paulson . Dave . Bonnaroo 2017 live stream schedule: How to watch from home . 20 November 2018 . Tennessean . June 7, 2017.
  5. News: Hey! Here are the headliners for Summerfest 2017 . 20 November 2018 . Milwaukee Record . April 12, 2017.
  6. News: Your Favorite New Artists Of 2017 (So Far). NPR.org. 2018-09-18. en.
  7. Web site: Hippo Campus . Billboard. 6 April 2017.
  8. News: Swensson . Andrea . Hippo Campus emerge from the bustling underground all-ages scene . 18 November 2018 . The Current . May 14, 2014.
  9. Web site: Tarzan Reject EP by Hippo Campus.
  10. News: Kampf . Mitch . Album Review: Hippo Campus – Bashful Creatures EP . 25 November 2018 . KSTO Radio . November 14, 2014.
  11. News: Riemenschneider . Chris . Local music notes: Hippo Campus signs, Are You Local? reveals . 25 November 2018 . Minneapolis Star Tribune . May 11, 2015.
  12. News: Saunders . Hilary . Hippo Campus: The Best of What's Next . 18 November 2018 . Paste Magazine . April 28, 2015.
  13. News: 10 Buzziest New Bands At Reading And Leeds Festival 2015 . 25 November 2018 . NME . August 30, 2015.
  14. Web site: Hippo Campus . kcrw.com . 13 July 2015 . 25 November 2018.
  15. Web site: Beckmann . Jim . Live Video: Hippo Campus . kexp.org . 25 November 2018.
  16. Web site: Hippo Campus . IMDB . 25 November 2018.
  17. News: Lanham . Tom . Catching Up With: Hippo Campus . 18 November 2018 . Paste Magazine . March 7, 2017.
  18. Vain . Madison . Get lost in Hippo Campus' new tune 'The Halocline' . 25 November 2018 . Entertainment Weekly . August 31, 2015.
  19. News: Birnstengel . Grace . Hippo Campus – "Suicide Saturday" Video (Stereogum Premiere) . 5 December 2018 . Stereogum . June 16, 2015.
  20. News: Riemenschneider . Chris . Artist of the Year honorable mention: Hippo Campus . 5 December 2018 . Minneapolis Star Tribune . December 24, 2015.
  21. News: Harris . Keith . Every Rock the Garden lineup ever, ranked . 25 November 2018 . City Pages . June 15, 2018.
  22. Web site: Hippo Campus Chart History . billboard.com . 25 November 2018.
  23. Web site: Hippo Campus – Boyish . discogs.com . 25 November 2018.
  24. News: Galbraith . Alex . Hippo Campus announce debut album landmark, share video for "boyish" — watch . 25 November 2018 . Consequence of Sound . October 31, 2016.
  25. News: Carroll . Jim . Hippo Campus: Landmark – infectious indie with a spirit of adventure . 25 November 2018 . Irish Times . February 16, 2017.
  26. News: Riemenschneider . Chris . Twin Cities band Hippo Campus grows into its new 'Landmark' album . 25 June 2019 . Minneapolis Star Tribune . March 9, 2017.
  27. News: Landler . Caroline . Hippo Campus Was Electric And Eccentric At 9:30 Club . 19 November 2018 . Georgetown Voice . November 9, 2018.
  28. News: Ralph . Caitlyn . HIPPO CAMPUS PROVE THEY'RE THE NEXT INDIE BAND YOU NEED TO KNOW WITH PERFECT PERFORMANCE ON 'CONAN' . 5 December 2018 . Alternative Press . March 8, 2017.
  29. Web site: warm glow EP by Hippo Campus - Bandcamp. 2021-10-20. Bandcamp. en.
  30. News: Podlesky . Azaria . Bon Iver, the National, Modest Mouse to headline 2018 Sasquatch! Music Festival . 5 December 2018 . Spokane Spokesman . February 5, 2018.
  31. News: Witt . Haley . Hippo Campus returned to Red Rocks, older and wiser . 5 December 2018 . Colorado Springs Gazette . July 31, 2018.
  32. News: Hippo Campus announce new album + single 'Bambi' . 25 November 2018 . Medium . August 23, 2018.
  33. News: Feldberg . Isaac . Fall Arts Preview: Album picks . 18 November 2018 . Boston Globe . September 6, 2018.
  34. News: HIPPO CAMPUS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM 'BAMBI' WITH TITLE TRACK AND TALK FESTIVAL PLANS . 18 November 2018 . DIY mag . August 23, 2018.
  35. News: Enter to Win Two Tickets to Hippo Campus . 19 November 2018 . Minneapolis City Pages . November 2018.
  36. News: Jones . Abby . INTERVIEW: HOW RAW VULNERABILITY SHAPED HIPPO CAMPUS' SECOND ALBUM, BAMBI . 19 November 2018 . Atwood Magazine . October 9, 2018.
  37. Web site: Ali . Alisa . FUV LIVE HIPPO CAMPUS: 2018 . wfuv.org . 25 November 2018.
  38. Web site: Hippo Campus The Districts . www.rivieratheatre.com . 5 December 2018 . 21 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181221231127/https://www.rivieratheatre.com/event/1713511-hippo-campus-chicago/ . dead .
  39. News: Haas . Anna . Hippo Campus Release the Peacefully Swelling "Passenger," Announce Fall Tour . 5 December 2018 . Paste Magazine . June 12, 2018 .
  40. Web site: 2019-06-14. Grand Jury Music - News - Hippo Campus surprise-release Demos I. 2021-10-20. Grand Jury Music. en.
  41. Web site: Milligan. Kaitlin. Hippo Campus Share 'Demos II' Album. 2021-10-20. BroadwayWorld.com. en.
  42. Web site: Introducing Lupin: Listen to May now.
  43. thehalocline. 1626266260211175425. kick in the teeth. 02/21/23. pre-save.
  44. Web site: Finlay . Holden . Hippo Campus – Wasteland EP . live . Dork.
  45. Web site: Elyasi . Nasim . 2023-04-29 . Indie Rock Outlaws Hippo Campus Return with ‘Wasteland’ EP . 2023-12-07 . Atwood Magazine . en-US.
  46. MomAndPopMusic. 1672381435624427520. NMF ✨ @rafflalala collabs with Hippo Campus (@thehalocline) on a bright indie pop cover of Yeah Yeah Yeah’s “Maps” .
  47. Hippo Campus - Everything At Once (Official Video) . en . 2024-04-30 . www.youtube.com.
  48. Web site: Interviews . Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & . Murray . Robin . 2024-04-30 . Hippo Campus Share New Single 'Everything At Once' News . 2024-04-30 . Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews . en-GB.
  49. Web site: Interviews . Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & . Murray . Robin . 2024-07-16 . Hippo Campus Announce New Album 'Flood' News . 2024-07-16 . Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews . en-GB.
  50. Norris . John . Hippo Campus on the 'Indie-Alt' Divide, the Sexist 'Chick Band' Trope & Their Adventurous Second Album 'Bambi' . 25 November 2018 . Billboard . September 27, 2018.
  51. News: McCormick . Zach . Go Local: Hippo Campus And Normal Parents Make A Case For Gun Safety . 5 December 2018 . Go Radio Minneapolis . July 9, 2018.

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