The Hics

The Hics
OriginLondon, England
GenresAlternative music
Years active2013–present
Members
  • Sam Paul Evans
  • Roxane Barker
Past members
  • David Turay
  • Matt Knox
  • Geordan Reid-Campbell
  • Jacob Welsh
Websitethehics.com

The Hics are an English R&B duo from London. Originally a six piece band, they became a duo in 2016 fronted by Sam Paul Evans and Roxane Barker.

History

The band members met at Pimlico School, now Pimlico Academy, whilst on the music programme. The Hics were originally formed as a two-piece electronic indie band between Sam Paul Evans and Jacob Welsh, and were later joined by fellow Pimilco allum Roxane Barker on vocals and Geordan Reid-Campbell on guitar. The band met their fifth and sixth members, bassist Matt Knox and saxophonist David Turay, through Londons Jazz scene. The Hics got their name from hickory, the wood from which some drumsticks are made.

Their first single, "Lines", was released September 30th 2012 through their SoundCloud page. The song was soon picked up by BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Gilles Peterson, who later included it on his compilation Brownswood Bubblers Nine, released on December 10th 2012.[1] In January 2013, the band were runners-up for the Best Breakthrough Act category at Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards.[2]

Their second single, "Cold Air", was released on February 19th 2013, again, to The Hics' SoundCloud page. The song "Cold Air" would later be featured on the in-game radio station Worldwide FM of the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V.[3][4][5] On March 6th 2013, they were mentioned in the NME magazine after being promoted by Real Star Records.[6] They released the track "Tangle" on July 8th 2013,[7] as a teaser for their upcoming EP of the same name.

Tangle was released August of 2013.[8] The band played their first headline show at Electrowerkz in London on August 1st to a sold-out crowd.[9][10] The music video for the song "Tangle", their first music video, premiered on 3 September 2013.[11]

In May 2014 the band released a new song on their SoundCloud page entitled "All We'll Know". The music video for the song premiered on June 9th 2014[12] and the song was officially released as a single on June 16th 2014.[13] The Hics collaborated with drummer Richard Spaven on a song entitled "Whole Other*", which was released on his album of the same name on July 7th 2014.[14][15] On September 19th 2014 The Hics were filmed for an appearance on the Channel 4 Four to the Floor series, performing their latest single "All We'll Know". The episode was broadcast on October 1st.[16] In November 2014 The Hics' Saxophone player David Turay passed away at the age of 18. Considering that two other band mates had lost parents that year the band took a hiatus to mourn.[17][18]

In mid-2015 The Hics were signed to the OddChild Music label.[19] The Hics' first new material in 10 months was released on Little Simz' debut album on September 18th 2015.[20] That year, bass player Matt Knox departed the band. Later that year Welsh and Campbell also parted.

The Hics in the form of a duo were featured on the songs "Matches" and "Ricochet" a part of Too High to Riot, the second studio album by Sudanese-American Dreamville rapper Bas. The album was released on March 4th 2016.[21] On April 15th 2016 it was announced that The Hics would be embarking on a 26 show tour of the United States with Bas.

In 2017 the duo took The Hics' second hiatus due to health and a loss in the family. They took this time to form their sound as a duo whilst working on collaborations in the background of the industry. In 2019 they had their debut album ready to release but due to the covid pandemic.

January 2021 saw The Hics collaborating with Bas once again, releasing the single "Smoke from Fire", which served as a theme song for Bas' Spotify podcast The Messenger.[22] They also appeared on BBE's David Bowie tribute album Modern Love, in which they covered "The Man Who Sold the World".[23][24]

On 21 October 2021, The Hics released their first single in seven years entitled "Caught in a Lie", which served as the lead single for their EP Harmine which was released May 6th 2022 via Bas' The Fiends imprint.[25] The Hics and Bas released their collaborative album Melanchronica June 17th 2025. They spent the rest of 2025 living in the US and working on various projects including what will be their debut album set to release 2026.

Members

  • Sam Paul Evans – vocals, keyboards, electronics, production
  • Rox Barker – vocals, guitar, production

Former Members

  • David Turay – saxophone (2012–2014)
  • Matt Knox – bass guitar (2012–2015)
  • Geordan Reid-Campbell – guitar, electronics (2012–2015)
  • Jacob Welsh – drums (2012–2015)

Discography

  • Tangle EP (2013)
  • HARMINE EP (2022)
  • MELANCHRONICA (2025)

References

  1. ^ "Gilles Peterson Presents Brownswood Bubblers Nine". iTunes.
  2. ^ Hics, The (20 January 2013). "The Hics on Facebook". Facebook.
  3. ^ Limmer, Jack (26 August 2013). "Grand Theft Auto 5 Soundtrack With a Touch of Soul(wax)". Stoney Roads.
  4. ^ "Radio Stations – Grand Theft Auto V". Rockstar Games. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  5. ^ "The Hics – Cold Air". SoundCloud. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  6. ^ Hics, The (6 March 2013). "The Hics on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 11 May 2015. In today's NME Magazine under 'The Buzz'!
  7. ^ "Listen: The Hics – Tangle [Premiere]". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  8. ^ Lurien (2 November 2021). "The Hics – Tangle EP | New Review". Bedroom Frequencies. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  9. ^ Hics, The (2 August 2013). "The Hics on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 11 May 2015. A Sold out show full of beautiful faces, thank you all so much for your support, really means alot!! – big ups to Anushka for their set, absolutely sick!
  10. ^ "See Tickets – The Hics | We're sorry, but there are no tickets available for The Hics". www.seetickets.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  11. ^ "The Hics unveil new video "Tangle"". NBHAP. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Video Premiere: The Hics – "All We'll Know"". Complex. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  13. ^ "The Hics – All We'll Know – Single". iTunes.
  14. ^ "Richard Spaven — 'Whole Other*' album featuring The Hics, Stuart..." www.richardspaven.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Richard Spaven – Whole Other*". iTunes.
  16. ^ "Four To The Floor Presents... The Hics – All We'll Know (Live)". Channel 4. YouTube. 24 December 2014.
  17. ^ tomorrowswarriors (15 November 2014). "RIP David Turay 1995–2014". TOMORROW'S WARRIORS. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  18. ^ Keeley, Amie (5 May 2015). "Talented Wanstead High School pupil found dying". Ilford Recorder. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  19. ^ "Artists Archive – Odd Child Music". Odd Child Music. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  20. ^ "Watch: Little Simz feat. The Hics – 'Gratitude'". Acclaim Magazine. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  21. ^ "Bas – Too High to Riot". iTunes.
  22. ^ "Bas enlists The Hics for new "Smoke From Fire" song". REVOLT. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  23. ^ "The Hics – The Man Who Sold the World -". BBE Music – Barely Breaking Even. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  24. ^ "The Hics Cover David Bowie's 'The Man Who Sold The World'". Top40-Charts. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  25. ^ "The Hics drop brand new single, 'Caught In A Lie" • WithGuitars". WithGuitars. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
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