Head Hunter (song)

"Head Hunter" is a song performed by American rock band Dance Gavin Dance. It was released as a single for digital download and streaming on March 22, 2019, through Rise Records. It serves as a stand-alone single and will not be featured on the group's recent ninth studio album, and is the first piece of new music since the band's eighth studio album, Artificial Selection (2018). It was written by the band's vocalists Tilian Pearson and Jon Mess, with the music composed by the band with additional guitar and vocals from Eidola guitarist Andrew Wells.

For other songs with similar titles, see Headhunter (disambiguation) § Music.
"Head Hunter"
Single by Dance Gavin Dance
B-side"Blood Wolf"
ReleasedMarch 22, 2019 (2019-03-22)
RecordedJanuary 2019
StudioInterlace Recording, Portland, Oregon
Genre
Length2:54
LabelRise
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Kris Crummett[1]
Dance Gavin Dance singles chronology
"Count Bassy"
(2018)		 "Head Hunter"
(2019)		 "Blood Wolf"
(2019)

Background

Dance Gavin Dance released their eighth studio album, Artificial Selection, on June 8, 2018, on Rise Records.[2] In support of the album, the band toured on The Artificial Selection Tour, as well as touring as support on American post-hardcore band Underoath's headlining North American tours in 2018.[3][4][5]

Recording

On January 22, 2019, Dance Gavin Dance's lead guitarist Will Swan revealed on Twitter that he was recording new material in Portland, Oregon, at Kris Crummett's recording studio Interlace Audio.[6] On the same day, vocalist Tilian Pearson replied to Swan's tweet stating "Be there in a couple days!"[7]

It was produced, mixed, and mastered by Crummett with audio engineering handled by Ricky Orozco and assistance from GiGi Zimmer.[1] The band's touring guitarist Andrew Wells performed rhythm guitar and backing vocals on the track, with additional backing vocals from Will Swan.[1]

Promotion

In support of "Head Hunter", the track was performed at the group's first annual headlining festival, SwanFest, and on the remainder of their Artificial Selection Tour, from March to May 2019. A music video premiered on the same day of the single's release. The band's label Rise Records released 7 inch LP vinyl and t-shirt bundles on their website.[8]

Music video

The music video for "Head Hunter" premiered on the same day of the single's digital download release, on March 22, 2019.[9] According to Alternative Press, "[..] the video shows an intense shootout that takes an unexpected turn. Make sure to watch through to the end, but we can give you one hint — let them eat cake." The video features multiple easter eggs and references from the group's previously released music and videos, including references from the music video for "Inspire the Liars" and a lyric from their 2008 song "Rock Solid".

The music video garnered 408,000 views within its first week.

Artwork

The single's cover art was illustrated by Mattias Adolfsson who has illustrated all of the group's studio albums since their 2007 debut studio album Downtown Battle Mountain.[10] Replying to a fan on Facebook, speaking about the single art, Adolfsson confirmed that the illustration was not the full art and that the second half will be for the band's follow-up single.[10] The follow-up single, "Blood Wolf", was released with the other half of the artwork on October 11, 2019.[11]

Credits and personnel
Dance Gavin Dance
  • Tilian Pearson – clean vocals
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Tim Feerick – bass guitar
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Matthew Mingus – drums, percussion
Additional personnel
  • Andrew Wells – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Production
  • Kris Crummett – production, mixing engineer
  • Ricky Orozco – audio engineer
  • GiGi Zimmer – assistant engineer

References
  1. Dance Gavin Dance - Topic (21 March 2019). "Head Hunter". Retrieved 27 March 2019 – via YouTube.
  2. "Artificial Selection by Dance Gavin Dance". 8 June 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019 – via itunes.apple.com.
  3. "Dance Gavin Dance announces 'Artificial Selection' tour 2019". Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  4. "Underoath announce 2018 spring headlining tour with Dance Gavin Dance". Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  5. "Underoath announce tour with Dance Gavin Dance and the Plot In You". 16 July 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  6. Swan, Will [@therealwillswan] (22 January 2019). "Back in Portland recording more stuff 🎶" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  7. Tilian (22 January 2019). "Be there in a couple days!https://twitter.com/therealwillswan/status/1087817112280678400 …". Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  8. 🎰🧃Dance Gavin Dance🍓 [@DGDtheband] (22 March 2019). "In case you missed it - We've got a BRAND NEW song & music video for you! Check out the music video for "Head Hunter" at t.co/YAOknQsMDz. We've also got some Head Hunter 7" vinyl along with some new shirts which are available for pre-order NOW: t.co/9wHkEpz8C6 t.co/0xFsicVKS5" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  9. "Dance Gavin Dance drop Wild West-themed "Head Hunter" video". 22 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  10. "Mattias Adolfsson". facebook.com. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  11. "Blood Wolf - Single by Dance Gavin Dance". 11 October 2019.
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