Just a few weeks ago, Vancouver-based post-punk outfit The Haptics released Masquerade. “A seductive escape from reality”, the track captures the essence of a lavish masquerade ball, where strangers move together in perfect harmony, their identities obscured but their spirits intertwined.

The Haptics singer Jin grew up in Seattle worshipping bands like Garbage, Alice in Chains and Nirvana. She also loves minimal wave, post-punk and techno. She wishes she could take her bathroom acoustics on the road. Meanwhile, she joins us to tell us about her love for Garbage.

A GUIDING LIGHT

My absolute favourite band growing up was Garbage. They have this amazing alternative, grunge-y, expansive sound that so accurately captures emotions and feelings. Their self-titled album, Garbage, was the soundtrack for my preteen and teenage years and guided me through so many difficulties.

I lived in Seattle at the time and even in the late 90s/early 2000s, the grunge sound was prevalent on the radio stations and in the city itself. I absolutely loved that, unlike a lot of grunge bands, Garbage features a female singer: Shirley Manson. I absolutely idolized her and her punk-y, alternative style. I don’t remember when I first heard her voice, but it was probably in a Sam Goody (a music store back in the 90s). I remember using Napster to grab the album (oops) and played it every day.

NO.1 CRUSH

When I was twelve, I had the biggest crush on a guy in my class. I would go home after school and play No. 1 Crush for hours, singing along at my desk and picturing the boy of my dreams. The lyrics perfectly portrayed how I felt.

As somewhat of a weirdo growing up in a pretty conservative circle, Shirley Manson was a beacon of hope and inspiration. I wanted to look like her, dress like her, sing like her. She’s still my idol, even today.

Our thanks to for Jin for the contribution to our Why I Love archive.

Here’s Masquerade:

The Haptics online: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Youtube

You can read more from our extensive archive of Why I Love pieces from a wide array of artists on an even wider array of subjects, here.

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