Being connected to the music industry, we’re lucky to interact with bands at many different phases of their careers — everything from “hustling to be heard” to “comfortably established.” When Hippo Campus dropped by for Summerfest this year, it quickly became clear they’re in a transformative place as a band, and they’ll show off their progress at a Riverside Theater show Feb. 12.
Nathan Stocker and Jake Luppen of Hippo Campus weren’t shy about sharing during that July visit, which included a Studio Milwaukee Session at The Cooperage.
Talking about the band’s recent extended hiatus, Stocker noted with a small chuckle, “We learned a lot, learned the hard way. We spent a lot of time trying to find a new lane, different than where we’ve been. And I think as band members, bandmates — and with a lot of therapy — we figured out how to sort of treat each other with more respect, essentially. …
“We learned how to be better people, I think.”
Things seemed to be hunky-dory between Stocker and Lupper as they spent time with us and the Radio Milwaukee members at The Cooperage. There were a lot of smiles, a lot of gestures of appreciation and a fair amount of goofing around on the venue’s roof. In less than two weeks, we’ll find out whether those vibes carry over to new album Flood, which is out Sept. 20.
Thanks to the usual trickle of singles, we’ve heard some of the project (and played a couple tracks over 88Nine’s airwaves). But there will be plenty of time to soak in all the new music before Hippo Campus next hits Milwaukee in much chillier circumstances. Tickets for the Feb. 12 show go on sale to eMembers at noon this Thursday, Sept. 12 (password: DOWNTOWN), with a general sale following at 10 a.m. Friday online and at the Pabst/Riverside box offices.
