Catching Hot Pursuit on the radar
Australia’s local music scene is in a very strange state at the moment. Many would argue that much of what the country exports can best be described as beach music made for beach lovers. While I admit that Australians (myself included) love the beach, there comes a point where you start getting sick of finding sand in the house. In many ways, the same can be said about Australia’s music scene at the moment.
But there are bands out and about making new sounds and doing it rather well, and in my opinion, there is no better band to point out than Hot Pursuit. I had the privilege of seeing them live and I can tell you right now that they are a band you are missing out on if you’re not catching them. As vocalist and saxophonist Evan Batkin puts it, the idea for the band has “been baking for five years”, something that becomes glaringly obvious the moment they walk on stage.
Hot Pursuit combines the sounds of funk, jazz, hip hop, disco, and rap into a tight ball that feels both fresh and classic. The result is a sound that is unmistakably and rightfully their own, mixed with a stage presence strong enough to make even the stiffest of men shake their arse a little. Or, as guitarist and vocalist Oliver Lojek said, “you don’t come to a gig, you come to a show!” It’s clear why they are becoming a band worth paying attention to.
Their sense of identity extends far beyond one genre. When asked how to describe their sound, Batkin summed it up beautifully as a “party vibe,” while Lojek described it as “a party you’d bring your mum to.” They lean into that personality with humour as well, referring to themselves as the fastest band in Wollongong. As Lojek said, they’re the “only band in Wollongong over 45 kilometers an hour,” comparing that energy and style to being the fastest kid in year 6 – maybe not the fastest in the world, but definitely the fastest in your space. It’s this concoction of chaos and control that makes their music feel both distinct and familiar.
Their latest song, ‘Truck Lovin’’, is an affectionate love song dedicated to one of the Ford Motor Company’s bestselling models, the F250. Batkin said the track “encapsulates the whole band… it’s a melting pot of sound and fun” – and I’d have to agree with him. In my view, the song feels closest to the works of Jamiroquai, the early work of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Parliament, and Funkadelic. Of course, I’m not implying that the song or the band are just modernised cover artists of these beloved musicians, but unfortunately print media, for all its beauty and class, is absolutely atrocious at supporting a .mp3 file. The rhythm section carries the song with a tight and addictive funk beat that is impossible to avoid bobbing your head to. The whole piece has a loose, playful attitude rather than something polished to perfection, which to some may be a breath of fresh air, especially in a music landscape that is saturated with clean, polished mainstream pop releases.
The creative process for the band reflects the same energy. Batkin tends to start with lyrics and melody before bringing his ideas to the band, while Lojek approaches it from the opposite end, focusing first on harmony and structure, admitting that “lyrics are last for me.” This culminates in a sound that feels truly collaborative and well put-together.
Of course, no band is perfect. Humans are perfect at being imperfect; but in terms of Hot Pursuit, my only real complaint is that, apart from ‘Truck Lovin’’, their online discography is a rather empty shelf. In truth, that’s more of a nitpick rather than an honest critique.
Still, the momentum is building, and it’s building rather quickly. After winning the New Blood Wednesdays final, the band has secured a spot at Yours & Owls 2026 Festival, along with a supporting slot for Playlunch’s regional tour coming to Wollongong in May, with more releases and bigger shows on the horizon. For now, Batkin said it rather poetically: “watch this space”.
Overall, Hot Pursuit need more love than they’re getting at the moment, and I think that you, the reader, should be standing up and rushing to their next show. You should be bringing your friends, family (especially your mum), neighbours, dog, cat, and anyone who will listen to their next show. Do yourself a favour and check them out live, or at the very least follow them on Instagram: @hotpursuit.band. And if you see them in person, tell them that Levi and Luka sent you.
