Ex Hex is probably one of the most underrated bands out there. Joke, though, is on anyone who’s never heard of them. The group is lead by rock and roll veteran Mary Timony who has set the precedent in rock and roll music and carved a path for female representation in independent music. Active as a musician since the early 90’s, Timony was a member of Helium, Autoclave and Wild Flag. She’s collaborated with Sleater-Kinney and have also released solo albums post her Helium days. Hailing from stablished and ever-growing scenes in Boston and DC, she’s the real deal. You’ll see her currently boasting heavy riffs on guitar with Ex Hex. The power punk trio released this year their second album It’s Real, a powerful effort filled with melodious and fun anthems. The sound, which was first brought with their debut Rips, confirms Timony’s approach to making music – it’s a non-stop affair that is personal but nowadays does not take itself too seriously. Watching Ex Hex live is assertively exciting, Timony’s presence is elevated through her thunderous and energetic solos, the catchy hooks, all a merger between the alternative sounds she used to dwell in her the early years of her career and the collaborative process that is writing Ex Hex songs with Betsy Wright on bass. It’s Real is a devoted musical offering that’s here at just the right time.
The energy on It’s Real is so much more heavy and powerful compared to how playful Rips is. Both albums are equally fun and lean towards melodies and arrangements that stick with you. How this album was approached in production and songwriting compared to Ex Hex’s debut?
We wanted the record to sound more expansive and 3-D than Rips. We also wanted to use less compression on the final mixes so that they sounded less garage rock/blown out. We were going for a really full spectrum sound. Rips is more 2D/blown out/ in your face production, which we really like too, but we wanted to try something new
Being a part of the rock and roll scene for so many years and collaborating through the years with numerous musicians, how does it feel to continue creating music?
I don’t really think too much about it, I just like to make records and to tour, and so I just keep doing that. It’s definitely not an easy way to make money, which is why people at a certain level decide to settle down when they reach a certain age and stop touring I guess… it becomes too much stress for too little money. I tried stopping and I got super bored, so here I am, still getting in the van! Ex Hex is the band I’ve always wanted to be in, so I really feel happy and lucky that I have it in my life. Collaborating with Betsy on songwriting is amazing, she’s such a great song writer and guitar player. I really enjoy being in Ex Hex a lot.
How do you feel about revisiting genres and melodies that convey the 80’s arena rock phase. Earlier Helium albums, for example, are more alternative — there’s shoe gaze, there’s a cathartic feel to it, a lot more bass too… it is emotional compared to Ex Hex’s big buildups and feet-stomping hymns and your bright guitar solos. How has the songwriting been transformed throughout the years?
Betsy and I like to approach song arranging as a craft — it’s almost like a puzzle. We try to make songs that have hooks and are fun to play. The ideas still come from the same place as other types of songs, but they are super edited.
I watched the show recent show in Brooklyn and was not expecting feeling uplifted and happy. I felt happy. What do you want to present to newer crowds?
We like playing these songs. when we’re making a record, we only keep songs that we really, really like – everything else gets thrown out… so the result is that it’s fun to play, and we have a blast. On tour, it’s great to see people enjoying the show, it makes the whole craziness of being in the van for 7 hours’ worth it.
Having witnessed the riot grrrl movement which allowed for female musicians to coordinate their voices together and inspired many movements thereafter, how do you feel now, looking at female and female-identified musicians, non-binary, and their work with independent music and their communities.
It is a different world, and I’m glad that girls now picking up guitars are not as angry as we were in the early 90’s. They have way less to be angry about. These girls can spend that energy on being creative and writing music. The rock world was way more of a boys club then. They have way more women rock and roll role models then we did. We had role models, just not as many.
I read in a Rolling Stone interview that you once toyed with the idea of quitting music. But you keep experimenting and bringing these groups and songs to life. Is this still in the back of your head?
No not really, I can’t stop being creative, because it’s the thing I like most in life.
What’s your process with songwriting like? Do you usually start the songs and show them off to your band mates? Is it collaborative?
Betsy and I come up with song ideas separately and then arrange them together.
I wonder, why call the band Ex Hex as your album solo release? Is there really an occultist idea behind the name? Or did it just sounded right…
An ex hex is a hex that you used to have, but don’t have anymore. So it’s an “ex” hex. This band has always been about letting the sadness and the bad stuff in life go when you are playing, listening or dancing to music. That’s the whole idea behind the band.
Do you remember the first song you ever wrote or what was it about?
Yes, I do… it had a lot of very weird psychedelic lyrics and some crazy chord changes. Someday I’ll have to record it. 🙂
How did subculture (in DC and Boston) defined your take on independent music?
When I was a teen in DC I went to a lot of hardcore shows. My first show was Rights of Spring and beefeater. I would go see lots of the bands. Ignition, 3, Gray Matter, Swiz, Soul Side, Fugazi, King Face, Fire Party… I was a huge show goer. I learned everything about how to be in a band from this Dischord scene.
What are you looking forward personally and as a musician?
Writing more songs, recording a new record, playing Ex Hex shows!
You’ve been described by Carrie Brownstein as “Mary Shelley with a guitar”, I like how radical this (analogy) sounds if you think about your music as Frankenstein and all his necessary bits to come to live are all the band you’ve been in. What do you think has been your biggest accomplishment?
Thanks. I think my biggest accomplishment is learning how to play guitar and writing songs.
‘It’s Real’ is out via Merge Records. Don’t miss them on August, 17 at Industry City in Brooklyn with Frankie and the Witch Fingers. Follow the three-piece on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
