If you are looking for goose calls and occasional snorts then you have have come to the right place. Feel free to pitch a tent and camp out in Dandyland for a while...read some reviews, tune in, catch our latest video, do what you wish and don't forget to join our mailing list!
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…Once upon a time there was a sudden snort that echoed Across a Miracle through the town of Dandyland! It was unearthed as a sort of spellbound calling from a once lonely hog, Freddy, who found himself fixated. Her name was Betty, an enchanting lady hog, and it was as if she tapped on the shoulder of Freddy, unveiling a new world. Little did Freddy know, she would soon become his "Lil’ Smidgen." Oh, it was an evening of merriment as all did gather and sip from cups of wine—a night which has become hailed as "The Earliest Fourteenth" of the new millennium.
Freddy was comical that evening and giddy in catching smirks from sudden glances which Betty bestowed. They often found themselves chasing one another in a telepathic haze. Before long, the night flashed by in a blink of sight. And no longer astray, Freddy squealed and wiggled home singin’, “I know the one, the one who spun my soul to spin, my Stale-Frown-Turned-Grin!”
Soon they were drinking from cups of "Conscious Benevolence," swimming the wishing well of "Whatever It May Be" and climbing down into the "Depths of Emotional Intrusion." It was a "Rebirth (Cage of Laughter)." "This Whole Life" for them was created as a haven for Hogz in Dandyland. She was his "Angelica Queen" and they thrived on "Escher & Carrot Cake!"
Freddy married Betty on one fine, summer’s day and later formed his imaginary mud pit orchestra! For the rest of the story listen to the album released on Halloween ‘09!
Hogz in Dandyland’s 2009 debut release is primarily a solo effort on the part of Williamsburg, Virginia’s Brad Hogge. Standing alone for most of the instrumentation and recording at home, Hogge soon ventured north to David Lowery’s (Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven) Sound of Music Studios (Richmond, VA). Engineered by Bryan Walthall and Brad Hogge, the mixing sessions ensnared the contribution of drummer Miguel Urbitztondo (Cracker/CVB, Sparklehorse, Daniel Johnston…) for most songs on the album.
REVIEWS:
Hogz in Dandyland - Across a Miracle (2009)
“This oddly-named project is another example of one guy (Virginia’s Brad Hogge) who plays practically everything and still manages to sound like a full a band.With an enticing combination of reverb-drenched guitars and swirling keyboards, Hogge’s whimsical songs have a ‘60s psychedelic feel, mixed with more recent vintage dreampop and trippy rock.There are also bits of Jesus & Mary Chain, Bevis Frond, and Robyn Hitchcock (and, on “Whatever It May Be,” The Byrds), while Hogge’s pleasing, delicate voice sometimes recalls Bob Dylan.His lyrics read like the ponderings of a lovestruck poet, although the album’s “concept” is evidently about a lonely hog named Freddy finding happiness and fulfillment.On floating, mesmerizing songs such as “Depths of Emotional Intrusion” and the nine-minute title track, chances are you will too.”
-The Big Takeover
"The debut album from HOGZ IN DANDYLAND develops as a sympathetic, eccentric-divisional release, in the realm of indie-rock. Behind the band name stands creative head Brad Hogge from Williamsburg, Virginia. With the exception to some drums, Hogge contributes the songwriting, vocals and instrumentation on 'Across a Miracle.' Drummer Miguel Urbiztondo (Maki, Sparklehorse, Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven) supported the album. Over the course of twelve songs, Hogge’s style is never defined by their influences, with broad-based pieces that uncover many opposing contrasts. Acoustic minimalism and wide screen opulence, loud and quiet, pop and idiosyncratic experiments - these are just some of the contrasts exhibited on 'Across a Miracle.' Importantly, at the same time it is that HOGZ IN DANDYLAND bring its wild, courageous ideas throughout and to the end of play and always fascinating, never just pleasing. What the solo drives from Virginia can be understood despite the consistently audible system as uncompromising and focused. Creatively filling the instrument page width with the employment of, for example, mandolin, banjo, trumpet and keyboard does not exclude under any circumstances. Brad Hogge presents himself as creative loner, challenging listeners through writing and implementing interesting indie-rock songs that kindle, stirring quickly a special charm and reward it to be heard."
-MUSIC-SCAN
"Behind this bizarre name is a pure One Man Show: Brad Hogge of Williamsburg, Virginia, with his Hogz in Dandyland debut. And a remarkable one indeed! Hogge plays - with a few drums tracks by Miguel Urbiztondo (Maki, Sparklehorse, Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven, Magnolia Electric Co.) - everything else himself: diverse layered acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, sometimes mandolin and banjo, sometimes a trumpet or harmonica. Hogge sings on 'Across a Miracle' with a laconic faraway voice that fits perfectly on this very special psychedelic garage pop concoction with a lot of fuzz, reverb, echo and enriched with clear traces of alt. countryeskem Guitar Twang (brand: Fata Morgana skirt Arizona / desert species). 'Across a Miracle' breaks through the neo-psychedelic world of Plastic Land, Plan 9 and Rain Parade to the transfigured-dopigen mix of the Meat Puppets 'Up On The Sun' and 'Mirage,' or Calexico in the fantasy frenzy. The spirit of Syd Barrett floats in each case over the entire project. A wonderfully quirky, professionally sound, well produced and a special mention! A skillfully played instrumental concept album with mystery-spun fantasy texts of the lonely pig Freddy and his intended bride, Betty, in an extraterrestrial world. In this story we may get involved, but also with the celebrated, always exciting, lively music as well!"
