Today, we’re thrilled to dive into the world of Hospital Class (aka Simon Sengun). Known for crafting evocative, genre-blurring tracks that pull from indie-rock, americana, blues, and a dash of nostalgia, this is a project that thrives on authenticity and experimentation. We chat with Sengun about his latest release ‘WHITE HOT GASOLINE‘, a track that marks a bold return to the rock world and a fresh creative chapter. From his roots in Northeast Ohio to his admiration for legendary producers like Steve Albini and guitarists like Billy Corgan, this emerging musician gives us an intimate look at the influences and philosophies driving his music. We’ll also explore his creative evolution, his advice for breaking out of comfort zones, and what’s next for Hospital Class.
Welcome to Unrecorded! For those who aren’t familiar with Hospital Class, can you introduce yourself?
I’m Simon Sengun, the vocalist and main songwriter of Hospital Class, I also play the guitar, bass, and mix most of the stuff.
Let’s dive right in and talk about your new track ‘WHITE HOT GASOLINE’, what does this release mean to you?
It was kinda my first foray back into the rock world after a few months of not really working on any music, and the song just came with a new sound and energy and it definitely sparked a new creative era for me.
It’s a really interesting fusion of genres, with indie, americana and a dash of blues, what led you to this combination?
I guess just the music I have been listening to, it wasn’t something I thought about beforehand, I just really wrote my idea of a good country song that gave me some of the same feelings as the records I grew up on.
Who are some of the major influences on your sound?
I think the music I grew up on, country artists like Toby Keith and Cody Johnson have heavily influenced my sonic palette, but I listen to a lot of everything. Guitar is very important to my music and some huge influences on my playing are Billy Corgan, John Lee Hooker, and Buck Meek.
How do you think your sound has evolved over the years? And how does it reflect your identity as a musician and an individual?
I think early on when I discovered just simply making music in my bedroom I was experimenting with a lot of electronic music and beats and I gradually came to want to be more involved with live instruments and music playing from people in a room and the raw-ness of that. Steve Albini has had a huge influence in the way I perceive and consume art and his work showed me that good music doesn’t have to be dressed up and that sometimes the best parts of it are hiding in plain sight.
You’ve been recording music for years, what has kept you hooked into the process of writing and recording songs?
I am always trying something new and pushing myself to places I am not familiar with to try and break out of my comfort zone and find excitement in new ways of doing things. Recording music independently is always some sort of hassle, at least for me, and there’s a huge feeling of accomplishment that comes with a finished project you are happy with.
Do you have any advice for fellow or future bands who want to branch out of their comfort zone?
Don’t be afraid to feel like you are in the dark for a little while, that’s okay because somebody is always listening and it never ever sounds as bad as you think it does. As long as you keep movint forward and don’t get discouraged by something that feels like a failure because with music everything is always a learning experience.
What’s the scene like in Northeast Ohio?
To be honest the town I am from, Ashtabula, is very small, there is a burgeoning local rap scene consisting of different groups and artists, some I have worked with providing engineering and production, but for the most part there are no bands in my town apart from a band called zoloft. There is a crazy good scene in Kent and Cleveland happening right now, and I try to make it out that way as much as possible.
Who are some newer bands and artists currently on your listening rotation right now?
A lot of Levi Turner, Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson, and I love the band Big Thief right now.
And lastly, what can fans expect from Hospital Class over the coming months?
There is a new single coming in December titled We are definitely putting together an extended project, probably an EP or something, that will hopefully be out early next year if everything gets worked out. We will be making our live debut aswell in 2025 and are hoping to see some of you out there!
You can also listen to ‘WHITE HOT GASOLINE’ in our Indie Rockers playlist.
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