Hey Champ Interview: SXSW 2010

As teenagers, Saam Hagshenas and Jonathan Marks form a band in the Midwest town of Rockford, Illinois. Eight years later, in Chicago, they become Hey Champ and add Pete Dougherty as the third member. With an electro-pop sound, they are excited about SXSW, and their new album, 'Star,' set to arrive this summer. Spinner caught up with front man Saam Hagshenas.

Describe your sound in your own words.

I would say we're pop and rock. There are elements of indie and electronic in there as well.

How did your band form?

Jonathan and I formed a band when we were teenagers in Rockford. We met back up in Chicago, years later, and decided to pursue music. Jonathan contacted Peter, who he met when they were students at Princeton, and we became a trio. Then we got a record deal and started touring with Lupe Fiasco.

What are your musical influences?

Beatles, punk, grunge, metal, '70s and '80s pop, jazz and classical.

How did you come up with your band name?

"Hey Champ" is a phrase that is both awkward and sporty, like us.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Water, earplugs, ibuprofen and running shoes.

Beatles or Stones?

I like the Beatles. Jonathan likes the Stones. Pete likes both.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

We were on tour with Lupe Fiasco, and we were flying out of New York. We took off and the plane had some trouble. We were descending, getting closer and closer to the water. Lupe picked up his seat cushion to get it ready as a flotation device. We were getting super nervous. Then a member of his band leaned over to us and was like, "Don't worry, we're not going to die, because Lupe Fiasco is not going to die today." And we didn't die.

What is an interesting fact about Hey Champ?

We were born into the three major religions. I was born Shiite Muslim, Jonathan Jewish and Pete a Catholic. But we all dropped that hocus-pocus pretty early on in our lives. Our religion now is music.

Colleen Larson is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.