Everyone Says Hi unveil video for ‘I Wish I Was In New York City’

Everyone Says Hi

Everyone Says Hi share their new official video for ‘I Wish I Was In New York City’, taken from their self-titled debut album, out now through Chrysalis Records.

Everyone Says Hi sees ex-Kaiser Chiefs’ songwriter/drummer and multi-platinum musician Nick Hodgson, adopt the role of lead singer/guitarist/frontman for his latest project, alongside Pete Denton on bass, Glenn Moule on drums, keyboard player Ben Gordon (ex-members of The Kooks, The Howling Bells, and Liverpool’s The Dead 60s respectively), plus Leeds based guitarist Tom Dawson.

The video, co-directed by Joe Ransom and Arthur Lewin, echoes the nostalgic sentiment of the song, recalling fond memories that Nick had in NYC as an in-demand songwriter and producer whilst part of the Kaiser Chiefs, including collaborations with Mark Ronson.

However, despite looking back in melancholy, the track’s anthemic choruses also offer an air of positivity, highlighting Hodgson’s innate knack for penning arena-ready songs.

Speaking about the release, Nick Hodgson says: “Back in the Kaiser Chiefs days around 2009, I was invited by Mark Ronson to New York to help him write with a band for a couple of days. That was the kind of thing that happened back then. But my life in recent years has become a lot more regular; all expenses trips to NYC are a thing of the past. You have to write about what you feel and on this particular day I was feeling like I was missing out. My mum heard me talk about this on TikTok and she felt sad for me but it’s not a sad song – it’s full of positivity and hope.”

Watch the video for ‘I Wish I Was In New York City’ – BELOW:

Everyone Says Hi released their debut single, ‘Brain Freeze’, in April last year, which was described by NME as “psychedelic lounge rock hinting at recent Arctic Monkeys and Tame Impala”. This was swiftly followed by a pair of sell-out headline dates in Leeds and London before a second track, the electric torchlit ballad (and album opener), ‘Somebody Somewhere’, followed in the summer.

Further single releases include ‘Only One’, as well as ‘On the Same Side’ (originally written for Liam Gallagher) and the widescreen ballad ‘Lucky Stars’, each coming with radio support from BBC 6Music. The record was produced by Nick at London’s Snap Studios and at his home studio.

Nick Hodgson recently shared the story behind the band in an interview on the XS Noize Podcast.

Everyone Says Hi is the fruits of a multi-platinum musician deciding to draw a line and start afresh. Back to the same bedroom floor where the first tentative notes were played, holding the same guitar that was played way back when, back to forming a band with trusted friends, and back to booking the sticky basement stages where teeth were first cut. But whilst you can metaphorically wipe the slate clean on most things, you cannot unlearn what you already know. If emotionally driven, arena-ready songs come almost second-nature, you’d be foolish to ignore the gift you’ve been given.

The band’s name is lifted from a David Bowie song of the same title. What you hear across the album’s 10 tracks is beautifully sculpted songcraft performed by some very experienced players. Not so much showing ‘promise’ here, but instantly delivering bonafide ‘big songs’ that belie the band’s status as relative newcomers.

Nick has long been a songwriter in high demand. Since leaving his teenage band back in 2012, he has co-written for the likes of Dua Lipa, You Me At Six, Duran Duran, George Ezra, and Holly Humberstone, and collaborated on tracks alongside Mark Ronson, Kygo, and Shirley Bassey. Having racked up over 5 million cumulative album sales globally, Nick now focuses on a new challenge. You wouldn’t bet against him.

Everyone Says Hi

Album tracklisting: Somebody Somewhere / Lucky Stars / Only One / Brain Freeze / I Wish I Was In New York City / On The Same Side / I Wasn’t Dreaming / Holding On To Let Go / Tried And Failed / Did I Just Fall In Love

 

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and host of the XS Noize Podcast, where he interviews top music artists and emerging talent. Known for insightful, in-depth conversations, Mark brings a passionate, fan-first approach to music journalism. Favourite album: Achtung Baby by U2. Follow on X: @mark_xsnoize.

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