Saturday Night Session 034: Black Caviar

by: Farrell Sweeney Jan 25, 2020

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Few moments are more sacred than the reprieve Saturday night provides from the daily grind of school and work. Its importance is meant to be emphasized, and thus, a feature dedicated to “doing the night right” was born. Saturday Night Sessions are set around energizing mixes meant to get the party started. New or old, each episode has one cornerstone thing in similarity: they serve as the perfect backdrop for the weekend pregame.

Challenge Troy Hinson and Jared Piccone to create a heavy metal track, and they could do it. Challenge them to create a hip hop track, and they can do it. Challenge them to create an electronic music track, and they can do it. The list goes on.

Few musicians have lived out careers quite as versatile as Hinson and Piccone have. The New York-based duo, who make up Black Car, have spent their years producing music in these respective genres. Although they have now shifted focus to a more electronic leaning sound, listeners never quite know what they will get from the group, which keeps things exciting.

The duo shed some intriguing light on how the fans of the different genres can contrast. They note, “Electronic music fans are so much nicer and well behaved… they are also a lot better looking than a metal audience.” 

Hinson and Piccone’s latest project continues with their electronic music focus, and it is their first self-released EP ever. Titled Car Chronicles Vol. 1, the three-track compilation highlights their affinity for a good upbeat house tune, with all three tracks adding a unique flair. The EP is made up of “A Little Bit of Ecstasy,” “Glory Box,” and “Power Of Love.”

The duo speak on their decision to self-release, stating, “Being on a label is great but sometimes there is a lot of nonsense involved… it’s also becoming a lot easier to release music on your own. We really liked these songs and the package of an EP so we decided to give it a shot doing it ourselves.”

Car Chronicles Vol. 1 follows their first single of the year, “Mr. Vain.” Hinson and Piccone are off to a strong start to the year with four total tracks out before the end of January, but 2019 will be a big year to live up to. Black Car was enlisted to produce a track for the Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack, and this ultimately led the duo to their first Grammy nomination.

Hinson and Piccone speak on the opportunity, saying, “It was amazing to be part of such a spectacular movie. It was a lot of fun for us to take a swing at doing a theatrical hip hop song, and it seemed it worked. We could never have imagined our song ‘What’s Up Danger’ would have resonated with people as much as it did. Having the record go gold and being nominated for a Grammy was bonus.” 

In honor of the release of their EP, and in anticipation for Grammy night, Hinson and Piccone have produced a one-hour Saturday Night Session mix. When asked what kind of a Saturday night their mix would get listeners ready for, they state, “It’s a mix for everyone who loves house music. Whether you are getting ready to go out, relaxing taking a bubble bath, or mowing the lawn, we’ve got something in there for you.”

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You guys have worked with such a diverse range of genres throughout your lives… metal, hip hop, and now you are known primarily as electronic musicians. How do people from your past lives (metal and hip hop) react to your current project as Black Car?
I don’t think they are too surprised because even though we have played in different metal/ hardcore and hip hop projects, we have always loved all different genres, including dance music. I am sure they also know with metal and hardcore you can’t keep carrying on like a lunatic forever. It becomes so exhausting. 

How does the electronic music scene differ from the hip hop and metal worlds that you used to be more of a part of?
Electronic music fans are so much nicer and well behaved… they are also a lot better looking than a metal audience. 

What inspired you to self-release Car Chronicles Vol 1 as opposed to signing the EP to a label?
Being on a label is great but sometimes there is a lot of nonsense involved… it’s also becoming a lot easier to release music on your own. We really liked these songs and the package of an EP so we decided to give it a shot doing it ourselves.

What was it like being a part of the Spiderman: Into The Spider-Verse soundtrack? It was amazing to be part of such a spectacular movie. It was a lot of fun for us to take a swing at doing a theatrical hip hop song, and it seemed it worked. We could never have imagined our song “What’s Up Danger” would have resonated with people as much as it did. Having the record go gold and being nominated for a Grammy was bonus. 

What are each of you most excited for in 2020?
We have a stack of music that we are excited about releasing including a few hip hop tracks. Jared just got his real estate license, the market is super hot right now, so he’s excited to get in it. I have been working on my stand up comedy. I have been doing weekly guest spots at New York Comedy Club so if you are in NYC, come check me out sometime. 

What kind of a Saturday Night is your Saturday Night Session going to get listeners ready for?
It’s a mix for everyone who loves house music. Whether you are getting ready to go out, relaxing taking a bubble bath, or mowing the lawn, we’ve got something in there for you.