Jack Casling2012 is set to be as big a year for Scissor Sisters. With the release of their fourth album “Magic Hour” this week and an impending UK tour in October, One&Other caught up with co-founding member of the band Scott “Babydaddy” Hoffman to chat about The UK, his tastes and how he would fare in a fight.
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Jack: Hi Scott, how are you doing?
Babydaddy: I’m doing well thanks, and how are you?
Jack: Very well ta.
Jack: So The Sissor sisters are pretty huge here in the UK and I am sure most of our readers will be familiar with your work. But for those who have been living under a rock, can you tell us a little bit about what you guys do and what your role is in the band.
Babydaddy: Scissor sisters came together in 2001, we put out our first album in 2004. We came up in the new york electro scene, but we never really considered ourselves an ‘electro band’, we love all kinds of pop music, we mix it into what we do, and we have come up with our own thing. I play bass in the band, but i’m also one of the co-writers and do the recording aswell. We produce everything ourselves so we are kind of a ‘home studio band’ aswell.
Jack: So would you say your style is a culmination of all your individual tastes?
Babydaddy: I think so, I think so. I mean a lot of our attempts to emulate our inspirations but then don’t often work out. But we have made a sound of our own because of it. We are definitely a product of our past.
Jack: We have had your new song ‘Only the Horses’ on in the office this morning. Can you tell me a little bit about where the song came from and how it fits into the album?
Babydaddy: Only the Horses was written as a little dance track that, as things always do, turned into a pop track. It was one of our favourite tracks on the album and we really wanted it to be a big club song, so we got Calvin Harris to come in and help finish up the production.
Jack: Something I found interesting was that you designed the logo for the band, is that true and Do you have a background in art and design?
Babydaddy: Yes I did. I have always been excited in being creative, I love visual art, I see as much art as I can, I collect art, I paint. Its just something that really interests me. Plus I’m a nerd when it comes to computers, so I just made a logo.
Jack: We think you look like the toughest member of the scissor sisters, are you any good in a fight?
Babydaddy: Oh gosh no, I would be terrible in a fight. I’m a lover not a fighter. But if it came down to it, I’d fight dirty.
Jack: Your stage name is BabyDaddy. In a few months I am going to be a father, You sound like the perfect person to ask for parenting advice. Have you got any tips?
Babydaddy: Don’t do it!
Jack: Too late mate
Babydaddy: No i’m just kidding, thats wonderful. I would just say what my parents would say, and let your kid find out what it loves doing then encourage them.
Jack: Where does the name Babydaddy come from?
Babydaddy: When I was in my early twenties, at university in New York, I went to clubs downtown and meeting groups of people who were older than me. But I looked their age because I had a beard so they gave me the name and it stuck. Even if I look old now.
Jack: So you’re coming to the UK to tour in October, what are your favourite things about it over here?
Babydaddy: I love the shopping over here, its great. I love the pub scene, like quiet english pubs, rather than clubs and things
Jack: Who in the UK would be your perfect scissor sister groupie? My mate Joel Smith is a lovely pale hunk with long blond hair. Interested?
Babydaddy: What is a pale hunk? You should send me his picture.
Jack: A hunk is a gentleman with very low body-fat and extremely big muscles. He is also quite pale.
Babydaddy: Oh, well I really like big beefy guys. My UK crush would be most of the cast of ‘Game of Thrones’.
Jack: Well best of luck hunting them down Babydaddy, have a great time in the UK.
Babydaddy: Thanks Jack.
