We were lucky to catch up with Mollie Krueger recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mollie , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I’ve always known I’ve wanted to pursue the performing arts professionally. At 3 years old, I would tell my mom I was coming with her to the hairdresser so that I could stand in front of everyone and sing and act out nursery rhymes. By the time I was in grade school, I started theatre which progressed into me starting on the path of writing my own music and being in bands in high school. I decided to go to Millikin University to further my education in music and that’s where we started The Hangovers.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Our band started with 3 friends that decided to write music together. Zach, Josh, and I (Mollie) were friends throughout our first year of college and decided to be roommates. We all loved to write music and collaborate so as soon as we moved into the apartment we started working on some ideas collectively. Soon after, we found Sammy our bassist and went through a few drummers until we met our current drummer Kyle. I can truly say that this band was founded and continues to flourish through our friendship (even though we bicker like siblings sometimes). A lot of bands don’t have the bond that we have and I think it shows in our music.
Something we take pride in is our variety in style. We genuinely write songs depending on how we are feeling that day. We have indie songs, harder rock songs, psychedelic songs, funky/jazzy songs, and ballads. We each have our different influences and work together to create a coherent sound. The variation keeps us (and hopefully our fans and listeners) interested in what is going to come next.
I am SO proud of us for planning two tours (soon three) this past year. Doing the dirty work as an independent artist isn’t easy, but I’m glad we can work together to reach our goals. Being on the road has taught us so much and introduced us to so many amazing people. We also got to open for Lita Ford in October who is someone I’ve looked up to as a woman in rock music so that was a dream come true for me.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
SHOW UP!! Support your local creatives by going to shows, giving them love on social media, buying their art or merchandise, or simply just telling them you love their work. This is not an easy or forgiving industry and support goes a long way. So to anyone that has supported us, continues to support us, or chooses to support us in the future, you’re badass.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I get to do what I love and share what I love with the people I love. Music is one big community of love (not to go all spiritual hippie on you) ,but it is. Music and art create community. I love being able to share my experiences through music and connect with others who may feel the same. On top of that, being in a new city every night excites me. I’m very nomadic and always have been (we even have a song about it)!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thehangoversband.com
- Instagram: @thehangoversband
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehangoversband/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GVx05KPaGPfuyNeKvCL9g
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XHsp0CVjgZXWJpaDHKFCA?si=_kU0lwA8TvCw0lkpM2BFEw&nd=1