the following is an exchange of emails between myself and Richard of hood, way back in June 2003, round about the time the excellent singles and compilations compilations were released. it never saw the light of day so here it is now in all its ragged glory.

I've been a fan of Hood's drifting melancholia for about a decade now. Their music is some of the most evocative, passionate, and beautifully desolate that I've ever experienced. From their early hiss-filled bedroom folk to today's more glitch-oriented sound, their songs are always driven by a tremendous sense of melody and a feeling that it could all come apart at any moment. Their last album, 1999's "Cold House", is absolutely stunning, and features Anticon's Dose One and Why? to add to the party. They've just released two compilations-one of singles and another of compilation tracks-see the reviews section for more info.

I emailed Richard some questions and he emailed me back…

What's happening in the musical world of Hood at the moment?
We're writing new songs. Panicking about them. Trying to sort out our studio. Meaning to buy new amps and then getting sidetracked. By current reckoning we'll have a new album out in.. oh....about 2075.

Always curious-why do you think you make the kind of music you do? Your music always sounds like it's on the brink of collapse somehow-is this a by-product of recording techniques, sheer accident, or just the way you like it?
Probably a bit of all three. Half the time we don't really know what we're doing so we just chuck stuff wildly onto tape & hope for happy accidents. But we do like it when music sounds a bit on the edge. With the advent of technology we are able to tidy the music up a bit but we don't want to make it sound soul-less.

How's your relationship with domino panning out?
Fine. We're fairly happy with them right now. They're in our good books. I think we might be in their good books as well as Cold House wasn't as much of a flop as we'd all feared. They have our utmost respect for staying independent, putting out generally good music and staying true to their aims. Should be more like 'em.

Do you find that you sell more records through them? Do you think more people know about hood thanks to domino?
Definitely. They just have that bigger thing going on where the records are promoted well in lots of different countries. They can just do things that couldn't possibly be done on a smaller label. The distribution is good too. But the thing I like about Domino is the fact that firstly their acts are diverse & so there's lots of freedom to make the kind of music you want to. Also they don't have that London music biz bullshit thing. They know that London isn't the be all and end all.

Any thoughts on the general state of music at the moment? When hood first came along there were loads of small tape labels & zines and so on-seems to have died a bit lately - what do you think?
Yeah its changed a lot over the past few years. I think then there were lots of underground bands to get very excited about but now? A lot of music especially in the underground has less personality so what do you write about. I mean a lot of stuff is very electronic based without vocals so it all sounds ok but doesn't inspire the passion that music did awhile back. Its not like you can put one band up against another. Ok comparing electronic bands sometimes you really can't tell the difference ....and often its kind of removed, distant and faceless so people can't relate as much as they would to music that's more...there. There's not as much debate or opinions ie I hate this band I love that band and I don't know if its just cynical old age but I think with a lot of bands coming through that its kind of nurtured to fit into a market rather than just being music....and not just with bigger bands but with so called underground bands as well. People long to fit into a bracket because you get more immediate success there because you can easily be compared to something else. I long to hear a band where I can't figure out who they've been listening to. Personally I find myself being more inspired by chart acts now. It scarcely seems believable but in terms of production, songwriting & experimentation it just seems like its more interesting and theres more chances being taken in terms of sounds and structures.

How did you hook up with the Anticon crowd for Cold House?
By the wonders of the international postal system. A package of their 10"'s popped through Chris's door one morning and our relationship has never looked back. I think they are the most wonderful set of characters. Incredibly creative and make you feel lucky to be alive. Fine fellows to a man.

So they contacted you? Noticed you get a mention on the new Sole album - cool!
Yeah its pretty amazing. Freaked us out a bit but at the time they originally contacted us we hadn't heard of them. If they got in touch for the first time now I think we'd have completely freaked out as we're such big fans. The Sole thing was nice. I think we've only met him one time - a really nice guy - and of course we really appreciate his music and the whole anticon thing.

Who else do you rate highly?
In hip hop? I like Buck 65 even though the Warner Brothers are probably trying to mould him into something he isn't. The Restiform Bodies album is good, erm what else? In other musics I like this band Havergal, kind of lo-fi interesting miserable guitar pop.

You've just released 2 comp CDs-looking back, which songs are you most proud of? Why?
Sorry to sound like a cliche but we're proud of them all. Loads of them I hadn't heard for years but when I heard them again I thought the songs were really good even if the production was a bit.. er.. primitive. I'm sure chris feels the same. If I had to pick one hmmm probably (the) weight is fairly well constructed for its era.

How do you describe Hood to your mums? Do you see yourselves as an indie band, electronica, lo fi, or what?
To my mum its just 'the band' an ongoing saga that her two sons have never really grown out of. I don't think she's too bothered about what we sound like she just likes to hear about the gossip and the drama. If asked what type of music we play I just kind of mutter 'erm... sort of er left field but a bit poppy and experimental' and people tend to slowly back out of the room.

Can you play live more often please?
I don't know if theres there much point. Its not really our natural habitat. I mean who wants to go and pay to see a bunch of northerners moaning about the weather?

Since conducting this interview I've read a few other Hood interviews and realised I asked the same questions as everyone else. So sorry Richard for being boring and sorry to you if it's all a repeat...