Formed in the wake of their debut album Psychonaut in 2004, Hoopy Frood quickly found themselves on stage with Ozric Tentacles in the summer of 2005, despite not having a live band before that point. In fact, the band was thrown together with close friends just for that performance. The show was a resounding success, and since then, Hoopy Frood have been writing, performing, and evolving together for twenty years.
With the help of James at Amboworld, Psychonaut was released in 13 countries and received glowing feedback from fans around the world. Some of the most memorable reactions include:
The sound of Hoopy Frood was shaped by a wide range of influences, from Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Free to Ozric Tentacles, Björk, Bob Marley, and Fleetwood Mac. But it was one hot, trippy summer day in 2003 when band members Steve and Rich discovered the music of Ott and Shpongle. Previously indifferent to electronic music, they were immediately captivated. Inspired, they bought a cheap PC, a copy of Reason, and began learning how to create the ethereal, mind-bending sounds they’d fallen in love with. The result? A unique blend of influences—from classic rock to psychedelic electronica - all infused with the spirit and creativity of the band.
In 2009, the band completed their second album, Indigo. Just before its release, Rich sent the track Chasing Inspiration to Ott, not expecting a response. To their surprise, Ott replied within hours, expressing interest in mixing the track. Ott went on to mix and co-produce the entire album, helping to craft a lush, thought-provoking sound that was warmly received by both fans and new listeners worldwide.
During the 2020 lockdowns, Hoopy Frood recorded a series of spontaneous jams that would lay the groundwork for their third album, Affirmations, which was released in 2021.
As 2023 rolled into 2024, the band focused on recapturing the carefree vibe that had defined the creation of Psychonaut. They revisited old jams, played around with new ideas, and focused on fun and experimentation without worrying too much about the final outcome. The result of this process is their upcoming fourth album, Mostly Harmless, which is set for release in 2025.