Joining us for this Indie Rock Hit Parade special are two members of a cult-favorite band whose music is back in print after more than three decades of unavailability. Formed in New York City in 1984, Hugo Largo was far from your typical college rock combo. Boasting the unconventional instrumental lineup of two bass guitars, electric violin, and voice, the abundance of atmospheric space became a signature of the band’s dreamy, abstract compositions.
In their short time as an active project, Hugo Largo captured the attention of R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, who sang on and produced their debut release, as well as Brian Eno, who released the group’s two albums on his Opal imprint. Decades after they fell out of print, those albums, 1988’s Drum and 1989’s Mettle, have now been reissued alongside a companion collection of unreleased rarities in the box set Huge, Large and Electric: Hugo Largo 1984-1991.
To celebrate this archival release, vocalist Mimi Goese and violinist/producer Hahn Rowe spoke with IRHP host Eric Schuman about the band’s history and legacy.