The Hospital Creates A Supremely Delicate Showstopper With The Wildly Robust And Emotionally Intriguing “Decomposing”
- STAFF
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
By: Staff
We got together with The Hospital for an exciting interview to delve into the stories and happenings behind the making of this and learn more about the artist in "The Cage" Music Blog and we are excited to share it with you!
Here’s how it went:
CAGE RIOT: Hello The Hospital, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. With “Decomposing,” you create something supremely soft, yet still wildly robust,
with an arrangement that sits beautifully underneath your incredible vocals. The crisp,
delicate delivery is an absolute showstopper. We also saw the song described as
“what happens when the end of a relationship isn't an ending at all, but a beginning,”
which might be one of the most intriguing explanations of a song we have ever read.
Can you dig deeper into that idea for fans and share what brought this emotion to the
surface? Was it tied to a specific relationship, a montage of experiences, or
something else?
A. Firstly, thank you for such kind words. This is the first project I've released that I produced my own vocals for... So that in particular means alot to me. The message I wanted to convey with 'Decomposing' was one of optimism. I think it's so easy to look back at relationships gone with negativity and consider them a mistake, a waste of time or just wishing the outcome would be different. The perspective I'm trying to share here is as simple as everything happens for a reason, and not to fight fate. The situation I was in when I wrote it taught me a lot of strength and gave me reassurance in myself that I truly do know who I am and what I want from my life. If I had stayed in that situation, it very much would have been settling and lessening myself for somebody else... and I'll never be that person again.
Q. Your perspective on humanity comes across as something bigger, almost
philosophical, like the song is reaching beyond one personal moment. What
influenced that emotion? Did it come from a book, something you saw online, a larger
cultural observation, or was it rooted in a specific in-person experience?
A.I grew up with my dad telling me stories about growing up in Argentina in an extremely impoverished environment, He later migrated to Australia on a boat which he describes with great trauma. Hearing those kinds of stories from a parent definitely humbles you and teaches you what does and doesn't matter in life. My sister and I had an amazing childhood and grew up in the most beautiful city in the world, Sydney. My perspective has been shaped from gratitude for the sacrifices my family had to make for us.
Q. How does “Decomposing” fit into the greater narrative of the upcoming EP,
“Without You Is Hard”? What is the meaning and intention behind the release of this
exciting new project?
A. 'Decomposing' is just the fun optimistic beginning. The greater narrative of the EP is at the end of the day we all need each other, and without each other, everything is harder. We shouldn't have to carry the weight of everything alone... I think this is something a lot of men in particular are scared to admit.
Q. There seems to be a lot of physical movement and different geographical
influences surrounding The Hospital’s story. What positive effects has that movement
had on your musical career, and what struggles has it created along the way?
A. I think movement is always positive, Anthony Bourdain famously advocated for leaving where you're from in your 20's... Worldly-ness only comes from seeing the world. I think at this point, I thrive from a place of instability. I've traveled and toured a lot in my life and I don't plan on that changing any time soon. I currently live in London, I'm from Sydney and I want to live in Paris, New York and LA oneday.
Q. Out of all the places connected to your personal journey, what location had the
biggest impact on your emotional process or changed you most as a person? It could
be somewhere that helped you relax, somewhere that made you happy, or somewhere
that shifted your perspective in a major way.
A. New York. I signed my first record deal there when I was 16. It gave me the confidence that I needed that has honestly kept me going since. They say it's where dreams are made, it's safe to say it was where mine were first dreamt.
Q. Because movement seems to be such a key part of your story, where was
“Decomposing” created, both physically and creatively, and how did that environment
shape the final outcome?
A. I wrote 'Decomposing' In my London flat in Soho and recorded it on the Welsh border in Hereford with my producer Pete Hutchings. Soho has an energy that I thrive in, its amazing for writing because it's so stimulating and if you give yourself to it, it rewards you. But when it comes to recording I need space for my reality to view it honestly. Hereford provides me that clarity. It's my dream to one day record an album in La Frette in France.
Q. The idea of using cultural energy and neighborhood influence in your music comes
across as refreshingly human emphasized. We loved that methodology. When did you
first realize this kind of expression mattered to you, how did you choose such a
unique way to bring it into your work, and why did Soho become the final destination?
A. I didn't realise the impact Soho had on my creativity until I started 'The Hospital'. I always wanted to ground the project in a destination like Bruce Springstien with New Jersey or The Strokes with New York. But I do believe Soho chose me, not the other way around. There's a thriving community here that is incredibly untapped, everyone just wants to help and support each other... When it came to filming our music videos, we had so many neighbourhood businesses offer up their spaces for us to film in. The community just shows up whenever you need it, it's almost transcendental.
Q. When fans hear “Decomposing,” and later the full EP, “Without You Is Hard,” what
do you hope they receive from you emotionally? What would you want them to walk
away thinking or feeling?
A. I want The Hospital to be a companion and provide comfort to whoever needs it whenever they need it. That will always be my intention with whatever music I make. bands like The 1975 and The Neighbourhood have soundstracked the majority of my life. I want to give back what has been given to me.
Q. When you were writing “Decomposing,” did it feel more like you were chasing the
emotion in order to process why it happened, or more like you were trying to escape
the weight of how it made you feel?
A. Decomposing came from a series of conversations I had with my sister, she was so helpful in guiding me through the sludge and into the clear water. Our discussions felt like reading the book and writing 'Decomposing' felt like closing it. She made me realise my worth, big sisters are good like that.
The Hospital, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared The Hospital’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
Tap in below and experience it for yourself.
