The Hopefuls, formerly known as The Olympic Hopefuls, are an indie-pop group from minneapolis, minnesota.
Darren Jackson and Erik Appelwick, (of Minnesota bands Kid Dakota and Vicious Vicious, respectively) began recording and performing under the name of Camaro in the early 2000’s. As their popularity on the Minneapolis music scene increased, they changed their names to The Olympic Hopefuls and were picked up by 2024 records, a local independent label. They released their debut album, The Fuses Refuse to Burn in 2005.
Due to a copyright dispute with the Olympic Games, the band shortened its name to the Hopefuls after the album was released.
The song “Let’s Go!” was featured on the second seasons of both The O.C. and Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County.
In April of 2006, Applewick left The Hopefuls to play bass for Tapes ‘n Tapes.
The Hopefuls’ music is peppy, light, and often deliberately corny. They define their music as “fun music for fun times” and keep their songs upbeat and fast-paced. They often use xylophone fills, synthesizers, and hand claps to, as their webpage says, “keep heads bopping and asses shaking.”
On the album, Jackson and Applewick switch off writing and singing songs; Applewick sings the odd-numbered songs and Jackson sings the even-numbered. Their songs are typically about romance and the problems associated with it.
Official site: http://2024records.com/artistweb/thehopefuls/default.cfm
