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
“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.
For release the week of May 10th
Contact Information:
Alex Radus
band@hot4robot.com
Pandemic Creates Time for Art:
Indie Rock Band, Hot4Robot, Releases Debut Album May 18, 2021
Indie rock band Hot4Robot releases its debut, self-titled album on May 18, 2021 with a series of locally produced web and podcast listening parties. Hot4Robot is the latest collaboration of celebrated local solo artists Alex Radus and Dave Cahill. However, without the pandemic, it may have been a few more years before Hot4Robot’s concept rock album saw the light of day.
Listening Parties (list to be updated)
- flex* adapt with intent – a webcast series hosted by Dina Hall (date and time tba)
- Sit Downs and Sessions – a podcast series hosted by Chris Poh and Dave McBride (date and time tba)
Radus and Cahill are musical opposites. Radus is a “sullen, sultry crooner” (Philadelphia Inquirer) and “refined songwriter” (WDVR), while Cahill is a “surreal” guitarist and composer of “post-apocalyptic, dystopian landscapes” (Elucidator). They have shared the stage with diverse national artists: Richie Havens, Regina Spektor, Sharon Van Etten, Tim Reynolds and Dean Ween, and have performed at numerous festivals and famed clubs such as MusikFest, The New York Antifolk Festival, World Cafe Live, Club Passim, and John & Peters.
Their unlikely collaboration defines Hot4Robot’s sound. 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.
This clash of opposites also shaped Hot4Robot’s story. Begun in 2014, Hot4Robot was a multi-year labor of love. This is due to the meticulous crafting of its songs and recordings, but also to Radus’ and Cahill’s busy schedules for their solo projects. “Like everyone else, the pandemic slowed down our hectic lives and allowed us to focus on this project,” says Radus. “Hot4Robot might have been a few more years in the making otherwise.”
As a concept rock album, Hot4Robot has only become more relevant with the passage of time. A dark, whimsical and at times humorous exploration of mankind’s use of tech to transcend itself, Hot4Robot merges thoughtful commentary with energetic and emotive indie rock delivery. Think a musical version of Netflix’s Black Mirror.
The web and podcast listening parties will feature music and videos from the new album, interviews with Radus and Cahill on the making of Hot4Robot, contests and giveaways and more.
The pandemic has shown that music still connects us, even when we are physically apart–and that a little extra time may be all you need to realize a dream deferred. Connect with Hot4Robot at their upcoming album release listening parties as they share their pandemic project with the world.
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.
Press and Accolades
For Alex Radus
Radus has charmed the pants of many a lass ‘n’ lad with that F-hole twanging Geetar and that sullen sultry croon.
For Dave Cahill
Cahill vs. Kalma is the kind of album that deserves to be heard in full. It is an experience more than it is a collection of songs and random thoughts, or blips and bleeps, if you will. Sure, it may seem a bit odd, surreal, trippy, spacey or a combination of all four. Yet Cahill vs. Kalma consistently sparks with creativity.
Hot4Robot Album Credits
Hot4Robot is Dave Cahill (lead guitars), Alex Radus (vocals and rhythm guitars), Andy Janowiak (drums), and Evan Straley (bass)
Track Listing:
- Made with Guns (lyrics – Radus; music – Radus, Cahill)
- Binary World (lyrics – Radus; music – Radus, Cahill)
- Your Chemical (lyrics – Radus; music – Radus, Cahill)
- Just Human (Radus)
- Bloody Murder (Radus)
- Blue Screen (lyrics – Radus; music – Radus, Cahill, Janowiak, Straley)
- You’re Precious (Radus)
Produced by Dave Cahill and Alex Radus
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Brian Herman at TreeFort Studios, Brooklyn, NY.
