Victoria, BC's Hot Hot Heat have signed an international deal with Warner Records that may well be the largest signing of a Canadian indie rock act since the days of Sloan and Hayden. The timing of the signing might appear a bit odd, as Hot Hot Heat's debut full-length, Make Up the Breakdown, on Sub Pop, hit stores the same day the deal was made. Any hurt feelings from Sub Pop are likely quelled by the fact that Warner owns most of the former indie, and will be helping promote the new release. The news was broken by the Vancouver Province, who reported that the deal was worth a few million dollars. "It was actually a bit more than what was printed in the Province," admits singer/keyboardist Steve Bays bashfully. "But we don't want to talk about money, because people don't realise that it goes toward recording and videos and marketing and all sorts of things. It doesn't go in our pockets."
As for the advance which does go into their pockets Hot Hot Heat have immediate plans. "All four of us have been living in a two-bedroom apartment," says Bays. Two of them will move out and they're investing in some home recording equipment. One of the more remarkable aspects of Hot Hot Heat landing this deal is that 12 months ago, they were still getting over the departure of their former singer and beginning to play shows again. Now, says Bays of their American tour, "All the shows have been either sold-out or just about sold-out. Both our L.A. shows were sold out, an all-ages and a bar show, and at each show there were a couple hundred people turned away. It's all way cooler than we ever could have imagined."
As for the advance which does go into their pockets Hot Hot Heat have immediate plans. "All four of us have been living in a two-bedroom apartment," says Bays. Two of them will move out and they're investing in some home recording equipment. One of the more remarkable aspects of Hot Hot Heat landing this deal is that 12 months ago, they were still getting over the departure of their former singer and beginning to play shows again. Now, says Bays of their American tour, "All the shows have been either sold-out or just about sold-out. Both our L.A. shows were sold out, an all-ages and a bar show, and at each show there were a couple hundred people turned away. It's all way cooler than we ever could have imagined."
