Hungry Kids of Hungary: Escapades

    We've got something from down under today for ya mate! OK, every Aussie out there would probably appreciate me not trying to impersonate them... Anyway, Hungry Kids of Hungary are from Brisbane, which is in Queensland. The band formed quickly it seems in 2007, but a lot of connection and history between band members exists that predates their formation. Their connection, however, to Hungary by name is a mystery to me (except they called their name "a sham, a horrible sham").
    Story goes that all four, Ryan Strathie, Dean McGrath, Ben Dalton and Kane Mazlin, were separate for a time, while the first three attending different local high schools and Mazlin was in London. They did, however, knew each other through band competitions, and Strathie had been in two different bands with Dalton and Mazlin. So, while Mazlin was in London, he sent Strathie tracks he recorded on his own, and McGrath was writing tunes too; consequently, when Mazlin returned, they formed together and started recording. Three years later, their debut album, Escapades (October 1, 2010), along with two EPs, Hungry Kids of Hungary (2008) and Mega Mountain (2009) is the result. Apparently, they introduced a fifth member, Remy Boccalatte at a/their record label party for Stop Start, an offshoot of EMI in Australia. It is unclear his role, though McGrath cited Remy as "their best friend and touring buddy". Maybe his addition to the band is merely honorary.
    Hungry Kids of Hungary (HkoH for short) has received a lot of playtime and promotion through a popular Australian radio station Triple J, a government-subsidized station whose aim is to provide mostly Australian bred, new music and alternative that appeals to 18-30 year olds. Notably, their single "Scattered Diamonds" has been heard on TV as well, in Grey's Anatomy, Royal Pains, Ugly Betty and The Deep End (and is a lot better song than its inclusion in those types of shows suggest). Queensland has definitely embraced their music too, winning Q Song Awards for a few songs, including "Wrist Watch" garnering Song of the Year for 2010.
    HKoH's style varies into two streams. One, heard in "Wrist Watch", "Scattered Diamonds", "The Vacationer" (their latest single in Jan. of 2011) and perhaps others more subtly, are very upbeat Ala Vampire Weekend, or like a surfer beach band (Australia is known for its surfing!). Then, their other style is a mellower, piano rock without the quick offbeats and syncopation. Overall, the bridge between sounds appears to be a retro pop from the 60s or something. I definitely like their alternative sound, ranging from the more subtle almost lack of distortion, but with dream pop hearty vocals, as in "Eat Your Heart Out", to more obvious grunginess in "China Will Wait" and "Coming Around".
    Well, enjoy the fresh sun, heat and fun this album brings all the way from Australia to this cold winter time of year! The track "The Vacationer" is in the MixPod, or check out a remix of "Scattered Diamonds" at SoundCloud here. I would have left you with "Wrist Watch" but it is so short (too bad!), so if you want to hear that or the rest of the album, go to their Myspace here.