Audio by Diego Puga Escobar
On a late night in Templeton, akin to a ghost-town, Hotline TNT frontman Will Anderson stepped onto a small stage surrounded by a red glow — reminiscent of the intimate setting of a saloon, so to speak. Beneath the lowly dimmed lights, the shuffling of feet and hushed voices were accompanied by an air of anticipation. In an instant, a wave of dynamic tones reached listeners’ ears.
On Sept. 25, Hotline TNT performed at Club Car Bar as they toured through different cities performing their latest album release, “Raspberry Moon.” With Bay Area locals Toner as the band’s opener, the night was enriched with intensity from start to finish.
What started as a one-man band for Will Anderson turned into a never-ending project that has led him to headline shows in major cities, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Anderson’s sound follows along the lines of alternative rock and shoegaze. The singer-songwriter started Hotline TNT in 2018, and as the project’s seven-year run has gone by, quickly followed new bandmates and eager fans of all ages.
One couple, Bob and Gina Murtha, drove up from Los Osos after finding out about the concert from an online music blog. The older couple danced just as freely as the younger individuals in the crowd, indicating how universal Hotline TNT’s sound can be.
Bob Murtha showed his deep appreciation for the band’s consistent energy, which the crowd mirrored through a spirited mosh pit.
Throughout the night, the crowd took on a youthful energy consisting of moshing, hanging from wooden panels and … spitballs? But it all only encouraged the band’s vitality even more, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for all those present in the chamber-like room.
So why choose a “middle-of-nowhere” town like Templeton? Coming from a small town in Wisconsin, Anderson emphasized the need to perform in and reach “overlooked” cities.
“We have a lot of memories of having a band come through our town and … have that be a pretty pivotal moment in our upbringing,” Anderson said.
Anderson’s deep passion for his art and listeners presented itself through brief moments in which he shut his eyes, instinctively strumming his guitar as though it were an extension of himself. The night ended with applause, howls and a message for his listeners to “be strong.” Funny.
