Question: What do you get when you mix a “sullen, sultry crooner” (Philadelphia Inquirer) and “refined songwriter” (WDVR) with a “surreal” guitarist and composer of “post-apocalyptic, dystopian landscapes” (Elucidator)?
Answer: Hot4Robot, whose debut, self-titled album is available everywhere.
Question: What do you get when you mix a “sullen, sultry crooner” (Philadelphia Inquirer) and “refined songwriter” (WDVR) with a “surreal” guitarist and composer of “post-apocalyptic, dystopian landscapes” (Elucidator)?
Answer: Hot4Robot, whose debut, self-titled album is available everywhere.
“Driving handmade rock with a wise melancholic undertone. This tune feels like a road movie soundtrack with an energetic twist.”
~ KMS Reviews
“A surprising, original, well-done and quite passionate album, in the true sense of the word–when albums had a through-line and weren’t just a collection of tunes.”
~ Donna Mugavero (aka The Doctor), Host of The World Blend, WDIY-FM 88.1
“This is a band working well outside of any box we’ve ever heard of, this is experimental in both musicality and content. If this is a testament of what Hot4Robot are bringing to the table, lay out a place for us at the next feast, we’re going to gorge ourselves silly.”
~ Yack Magazine
“A brilliant vision…each track on Hot4Robot is a multi-layered, adventurous soundscape full of memorable moments and important, thought-provoking commentary.”
~ Underground Music Collective
Hot4Robot
Genre defying and fearlessly inventive, Hot4Robot takes listeners on a rock art odyssey of textured soundscapes, haunting melodies and evocative lyrics. Blending a colorful palette of alt rock, punk and new wave influences, Hot4Robot weaves its own unmistakable and fiercely unconventional sound. Hot4Robot is the brainchild of celebrated solo artists Alex Radus and Dave Cahill, and also features the exceptional talents of Robbie Sko and Andy Janowiak.
Radus is described as a “versatile crooner” and “refined songwriter”, while Cahill is lauded for his “surreal” guitar work and compositions that evoke “post-apocalyptic, dystopian landscapes.” This clash of opposites is Hot4Robot’s launchpad. Hot4Robot’s debut, self-titled concept album is a dark, whimsical and irreverent exploration of our desire to be more than Just Human, merging thoughtful commentary with energetic and emotive alt rock delivery. Think a musical version of Netflix’s Black Mirror.
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KMS Reviews In Scope: Hot4Robot – Blue Screen
In Scope: Hot4Robot – Blue Screen Driving handmade rock with a wise melancholic undertone. This tune feels like a road...
Video: Hot4Robot Live from MusikFest 2022
https://youtu.be/9NlN-nnTpSw Thanks to Service Electric for the awesome video!
Our Story
Hot4Robot is the latest iteration of a decades-long collaboration of musical opposites: Dave Cahill and Alex Radus. Cahill and Radus were literally playing music together before they knew each other’s names—having been thrown into a jam at a party by mutual friends who just “knew”. Within minutes the pair were encircled by listeners, stunned at the immediacy and impact of their musical connection—and setting the stage for years of engaging performances to come.
Beginning with a mutual infatuation with Gypsy Jazz, their collaboration has deftly cross-pollinated multiple genres throughout the years. Radus’ “soaring” vocals (Elucidator) have been featured on many of Cahill’s recordings. Cahill’s “masterful” guitar work (Steel Notes Magazine) has appeared on Radus’ albums—most notably the fan favorite, We Can’t Play Like Django. They’ve shared the stage with diverse national artists: Richie Havens, Regina Spektor, Sharon Van Etten, Tim Reynolds and Dean Ween. Radus’ music has appeared in film and television, including 2018’s Adolescence, directed by Ashley Avis (Black Beauty). Through it all, Cahill and Radus have maintained their distinctive sounds and styles, but have shared a common aim to transcend musical genres and boundaries.
Perhaps inevitably then, Hot4Robot explores the darker, whimsical and at times humorous sides of transcendence. “Nobody wanna be just human”, sings Radus, of mankind’s implacable drive to improve itself. Musing on war, drugs, the media, and exploring the stars, Hot4Robot reflects on and anticipates what is gained and lost as humanity creates newer and more complex versions of itself. Think a musical version of Netflix’s Black Mirror. Blending a colorful palette of influences (Dire Straits, Radiohead, Bowie, Muse, the Pixies), Hot4Robot creates rich, textured soundscapes in service to melody and lyric-driven compositions, merging thoughtful commentary with energetic and emotive indie rock delivery. Hot4Robot also features Evan Straley (bass) and Andy Janowiak (drums).
Across their eclectic musical careers, Cahill and Radus have individually earned multiple awards and critical acclaim for their performing and songwriting. Now they combine their programming with Hot4Robot, and achieve a powerful concept rock album that is truly unique and reminiscent of the future.