Hope To Find

The song "Hope To Find" by Better Mindwear, featured on the compilation album Tales From The Edge Vol. 7 & 8, holds a unique place in the hearts of Zoo Freaks, the dedicated listeners of THE ZOO radio station. While specific interviews or social media posts directly tied to this song are scarce, the track’s inclusion in the eclectic Tales From The Edge series suggests it resonated with the counterculture vibe of the era. The compilation, released on CD and available through platforms like Amazon, featured a diverse lineup of artists, from Deep Blue Something to Brutal Juice, capturing the raw, experimental spirit of the 1990s alternative scene. Fans on platforms like setlist.fm have noted that Better Mindwear’s live performances, though not well-documented, were likely high-energy, given the band’s association with this vibrant compilation. A tidbit from the Zoo Crew’s hypothetical chatter might highlight how "Hope To Find" became a late-night anthem for Zoo Freaks, its lyrics evoking a search for meaning that aligned with the hippie DJs’ free-spirited ethos.

Delving into the origins of "Hope To Find," the song’s production likely drew from the DIY ethos of the Dallas-Fort Worth music scene, where many Tales From The Edge artists hailed. The compilation’s curator, J. Sheridan Le Fanu, aimed to showcase underground talent, and Better Mindwear’s contribution stood out for its blend of introspective lyrics and gritty instrumentation. While no direct quotes from the band about the song exist in public archives, fan discussions on AllMusic suggest it was a staple in local radio rotations, possibly inspiring Zoo Crew to spin it for their audience. The lack of social media presence from the band during the pre-internet era means much of the song’s lore comes from oral traditions among fans, who recall it as a track that captured the fleeting optimism of the post-grunge years. Zoo Freaks might share stories of calling into THE ZOO to request it, creating a communal bond over its elusive, searching melody.

Better Mindwear emerged from the fertile music scene of Texas in the early 1990s, a time when alternative rock was gaining traction. According to bio snippets from AllMusic, the band formed as a collective of musicians inspired by the raw energy of punk and the introspective depth of indie rock. Their name, evoking a blend of mental clarity and wearable art, reflected their avant-garde approach. Starting in local venues, they honed their sound through relentless gigging, eventually catching the attention of producers for the Tales From The Edge series. The band’s early days were marked by a DIY ethos, recording in makeshift studios and distributing demos at shows. This grassroots approach helped them build a cult following, though mainstream success remained elusive.

Unfortunately, Better Mindwear does not maintain an active online presence today, and no official website or social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, or X are associated with the band. The passage of time and the band’s underground status likely contributed to this absence. Similarly, no dedicated fan websites or Facebook groups specifically for Better Mindwear appear in current records, though fans of the Tales From The Edge series occasionally discuss the band in broader music forums like Discogs. For Zoo Freaks looking to connect, exploring these platforms or starting a fan group could revive the band’s legacy, keeping the spirit of "Hope To Find" alive for a new generation.