SETTING 'THE SCENE': Hotline TNT's Third Album Marks a New Chapter
Will Anderson, Chippewa Valley-native, channels nostalgia and Midwest roots in 'Raspberry Moon'
On their latest record, Raspberry Moon, Hotline TNT — the New York-based band led by Chippewa Valley-native Will Anderson — leans into new sounds, an ever-evolving shoegaze indie community, and the unique connection of live performance.
On June 20, the world was introduced to the current iteration of Hotline TNT via their third album, released with Third Man Records. Yet, this group of musicians appears to be a permanent fixture, standing firmly by Anderson's side.
Anderson, the band's frontrunner, has called this record Hotline TNT's most compelling to date.
He drew inspiration from personal love, nostalgia, and friendships — as well as the realities of things falling apart and being pieced back together — while writing hit singles “The Scene,” “Julia’s War,” “Letter To Heaven,” and more.
While Anderson remains the sole songwriter for Hotline TNT’s most notable tracks — with Raspberry Moon being no exception — he now faces a new cornerstone of the musical project: Hotline TNT has become a band with three concrete members who bring their own life experiences to the table.
The record oozes novelty and possibility; Anderson welcomes the opportunity for collaboration amongst new friendships with bandmates Mike Ralston, Lucky Hunter, and Haylen Trammel.
“I don't think this album would have sounded the same if it wasn't these exact same four people,” Anderson noted.
Raspberry Moon, an embodiment of shoegaze indie-rock genres, showcases the growth of Hotline TNT’s sound — where the distinctions between instrumentation, vocals, and live effects are often blurred.
Through lyrics like "Say you're mine/Don't pretend you're fine/I'm on the road, my feelings grow/At all the shows I wanna go and call your phone" in "If Time Flies," Anderson's melodic themes emerge from the sonic haze, as listeners traverse through the album.
You might just hear the echoes of Anderson’s own father, whose ethereal flute samples penetrate through the background.
I wanted to continue that connection to my home state. The more time goes on, the more I feel connected to my home and that region.
WILL ANDERSON
SONGWRITER, HOTLINE TNT
Reflecting on the recording process, he credits the contemporary and unconventional samples to the places and spaces which first inspired his career in music: the state of Wisconsin.
“I wanted to continue that connection to my home state,” Anderson said. “The more time goes on, the more I feel connected to my home and that region.”
The band recorded with Amos Pitsch in his Appleton, Wisconsin studio during two sessions in 2023, returning to Anderson's home state.
Pitsch, dubbed a 'modern D.I.Y. hero' in the production world, offered the perfect environment to experiment with nuance and textures; the impact of their extensive collection of vintage equipment, stereo percussion, and more is felt through each track.
“We also recorded some drum samples in a hallway at his record store across town; (we did) a lot of kooky stuff that Amos made happen,” Anderson said.
This project's full-band debut has become not only a tribute to Hotline TNT’s evolution across their EP and first two studio albums — It also weaves in folk-inspired guitar chords, honoring the musicians who influenced Anderson to this day.
Anderson recommends listening to Raspberry Moon from start to finish, akin to his own preferred method of experiencing music. For an optimal listening experience, he suggests using a record player and headphones in a comfortable living room setting.
“(Raspberry Moon) was made for vinyl,” Anderson said. “Hearing the full record straight through — without skipping songs — is my ideal intent (for how) people get to experience it.”
Listen to Raspberry Moon, Hotlint TNT's third studio album, on anywhere you stream music. Keep up with Hotline TNT on social media (@hotlinetnt).
