The trio that makes up the neo-80s group Head Fake, consist of three musicians and producers altogether from London, Miami, and New York, who have spent their time creating music for over two decades. They prefer to remain semi-anonymous (but not for the duration of their group). The trio’s montage is solely focused on their music and the imagery behind it. This is very evident in the music video for their single, “I’m Found,” which shows Americans engaged in the sorts of activities that bring true contentment: stable-hands tending to the needs of their charges, couples in love slow-dancing on the railroad tracks, motorcyclists streaking through forest paths.
“I’m Found” is from their EP2 five-song release, featuring their previously released singles “Cigarette,” and “Song For Daughters.” With “I’m Found,” Head Fake’s influences of blues and gospel to Rolling Stones and Stone Roses are seared throughout, and many viewers will be able to relate to the scenes in the video, along with the intensity of those demonstrating the hard work of each person in the video. As Hip Video Promo, who produced and distributed the video, shares “the message is clear: our simplest gestures are often our most profound.”
In our interview with each of the members of Head Fake, they shared their inside vision behind the music video for “I’m Found,” why their semi-anonymity won’t be exclusive for an extended period of time, and which particular 80s artist always makes the way into their music, and more.
Your video for “I’m Found” is probably one of my most favorite music videos I’ve had the pleasure of viewing. What’s the inside look at the vision behind it?
Head Fake: Thank you! We wanted to create a visual for the song that would evoke feelings of freedom, strength, hope, hard work, and love, a truly open-air America sensibility. The imagery is designed to evoke a sense of familiarity even among those with no actual personal reference to what is happening on screen.
Imagery is very much a focus of the video as well as the band itself, as you all barely show your faces. Was that intentional with the formation of the band and your music, or did it progress to that, and why?
Head Fake: We formed the band almost accidentally, starting with a late-night impromptu writing session between James and Michael. With Ivan’s production input, we loved the synergies flowing from the project and the feeling of re-creating and innovating the music of our youth. When it came time to share, we chose to put the music first, to let people hear and relate to it without the filter of the artist.
Each of you have been making music for decades. What are your earliest memories of creating music?
Head Fake: For each of us it’s different. James sang as a child in a London church choir, Michael sequestered himself in his Toronto basement writing songs on the piano as young as five, and Ivan dissected compositions while burning out needles on his record player in South Florida.
I love all of the 80s influences (my fave genre of music) in your music. Is there always a certain artist’s music influence that finds its way into your music?
Head Fake: The first EP was definitely New Wave driven, New Order, Depeche Mode, Skinny Puppy, Echo and the Bunnymen, etc. In the second EP, we expanded to cover a lot more ground and to incorporate mainstream and crossover influences, as with “I’m Found”. We are not drawing from any particular influence, but rather our collective view on whether a particular track works or not. I suppose any fan of later Beatles albums can be influenced with a feeling of freedom in diversity of styles and approaches, perhaps that’s a shared inspiration.
“I’m Found” is the latest single from your latest effort, EP2. What are you guys’ writing and recording process like?
Head Fake: We’re using the quarantine to write a bunch of new songs remotely and hope it ends with a new EP or full-length album. We’re all over the map stylistically and have a lot of individual time to work on things before sending it to the other members, so the list of influences will definitely expand.
Do you guys plan to stay semi-anonymous?
Head Fake: Not as we start touring, but travel and touring plans were obviously put on hold. Our goal has been to push the music first and build that connection with those who share a love for what we’re creating.
How have you guys been using the time in quarantine creatively?
Head Fake: As mentioned above, we’ve been using the time to create the next EP. Depending on how long this continues, we may have a full album’s worth of material.
Fun Questions
Who was your first concert, and do you have a favorite?
Head Fake: Smokey Robinson and favorites are hard to choose. Out of pure nostalgia, perhaps the Simon and Garfunkel reunion.
What was your first album on cassette, CD and/or vinyl?
Head Fake: Andy Gibb’s Shadow Dancing on vinyl.
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
Head Fake: I guess this would have to be the innovators: Beatles, Bo Diddley, Willie Nelson, Gil-Scott Heron, and either Depeche Mode or Elvis Costello.
Which five artists from the 80s have had the most influential impact on your music?
Head Fake: This is almost a tougher question than the last, but perhaps New Order/Joy Division, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Roxy Music, and Duran Duran.
Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?
Head Fake: Female pop music from the ’80s, from Madonna to the Bangles to the Go-Go’s.
What have you been listening to, watching, and/or reading?
Head Fake: Money Heist on TV, Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, and everything from Adam and the Ants to Tom Verlaine musically.
Follow and connect with Head Fake on Instagram and Facebook. Stream their music on Spotify.
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