INTERVIEW: Hacky Sack Are Two Peas In A Very Musical Pod

Hacky Sack. Photo supplied.

When Sydney singer/songwriter Huck Hastings met Sachin Burns, the pair hit it off. They shared a love of well-crafted pop music, and that would eventually turn into starting Hacky Sack, a collaborative project made up of Huck and Sachin.

They’ve just released their debut single, Exaggerating, and it’s seriously groovy. Recorded in the comfort of their respective bedrooms, it’s a song about unrequited love, and you’ll feel the longing in every lyric and note.

I spoke to the pair about the origins of Hacky Sack, as well as how this year has been for the pair. They’ve been doing the bulk of the songwriting over the Internet, so I also found out what we can expect from their upcoming EP.

Ben Madden: Firstly, can you both introduce yourself?

Sachin: I’m Sachin and I play guitar in Hacky Sack.

Harrie: I’m Harrie/Huck, and I sing and play guitar in Hacky Sack 

I’d love to learn more about Exaggerating – what did each of you bring to the table when writing the song?

Sachin: Harrie had the main chord progression and I just added a lot of the bits around the edges and came up with some chords for the other section. I made a demo for Harrie to build lyrics on then eventually put together the final instrumental at home.

Harrie: Pretty much what Sachin said. I had this other song that I was working on over the top of those chords and it was really different and much more dreary initially. I’m okay at home demo-ing, but not the greatest...so having the demos that Sach made to build upon was really helpful and inspired me to take things in directions I wouldn’t normally. I’ve learned a lot about home recording as a result of the process.

Was it intimidating writing with someone else in an official capacity?

Sachin: Not at all with Harrie. He’s very easy going, very encouraging and very good! I’ve written songs with other bands I’ve played in so it felt natural.

Harrie: Nah, I wouldn’t say intimidating… occasionally exposing, and incredibly fun. 

What’s the origin story of Hacky Sack?

Sachin: We met when I got a job at the café where Harrie worked. Spent many shifts chatting about and listening to music.

Harrie: Two lads met in a bookshop/cafe. One pestered the other into making a record with them. 

You’re launching the project with a live show soon – did you imagine this would have been the case even a few months ago?

Sachin: I was very keen to play some shows but Harrie definitely did the heavy lifting in terms of organising a show and releasing Exaggerating – there was a long pandemic pause and then all of a sudden (besides all the work Harrie did) we had a show to get ready for.

Harrie: I didn’t really imagine the live element coming into play quite so quickly, but I felt very deliberate in the way I approached all of the stuff surrounding the release, But yeah, once we started I was hungry to kick it off so when an opportunity came up to launch it made sense. 

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Finally, what’s next for Hacky Sack?

Sachin: Live band! Live band! Live Band! And another single and an EP or something.

Harrie: Keen to get the full live act together. Put some finishing touches on the EP, and I’d personally like to bring in some other singers/players for some collaboration. Double down on the collaborative element of the band.

You can follow Hacky Sack on Facebook here, Instagram here and Twitter here.