Tag: pop rock

Music

Pop Rock Band HAAS Releases New Single “Mama Always Told Me”

by KristinLeave a Comment on Pop Rock Band HAAS Releases New Single “Mama Always Told Me”

img_8562Virginia-based pop/rock project HAAS have released their new single, “Mama Always Told Me,” out on all digital music platforms NOW. Just the band’s second single (their debut “Behind Those Eyes” was released in February), HAAS has a clear identity. Approaching the pop/rock genre with confidence, lead vocalist Sam Haas injects the music with heart ache, power, and an authenticity that can’t be mimicked. Although new, HAAS knows their sound (think of a Kelly Clarkson/The Veronicas/Ashlee Simpson modern combo), and takes it on with emotion. “Mama Always Told Me” continues to paves the way for HAAS’ five-track debut EP, due out next month. About the single, lead vocalist Sam Haas states:

“Mama Always Told Me” is the second single off HAAS’ upcoming EP. This song is about my feelings towards important people in my life at that time and how hurt I was by their actions. This song describes what went down and how confused I was by it all.  These relationships were an immense learning experience and taught me that people aren’t always what/who you think they are. The final line “mama always told me you were never worth it” shows that number one, mom always knows best and secondly that you eventually learn and grow from situations that broke you.

HAAS is a pop/rock band from Virginia. The name HAAS stems from lead vocalist Sam Haas who decided to pay tribute to not only her family name but her late grandfather who inspired her through his music. After years of playing around with names and ideas, HAAS became the official name in 2018. Through the use of catchy melodies, rhythmic guitars, and expressive lyrics, HAAS has been able to marry the pop/rock sound. The group uses music not only as an outlet for themselves, but want the music to be an outlet for others. They draw on personal hardships, such as loss, strained relationships, bullying, depression, and anxiety, but also hardships within the world today. HAAS strives to promote a place of safety and inclusivity, where it is okay to be who you are and forget about the real world for a minute. HAAS has discussed being bullied and scared of being who they are and by embracing themselves, they hope to inspire others to do the same; “love who you are and don’t be afraid to do the things you want.” HAAS plans to release their debut five-song EP in the Spring. Their new single “Mama Always Told Me” is available on all digital platforms NOW.

 

HAAS | Official Channels

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Music

HAAS Comes To Life In Debut Single “Behind Those Eyes”

by KristinLeave a Comment on HAAS Comes To Life In Debut Single “Behind Those Eyes”

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Virginia-based pop/rock project HAAS have released their debut single, “Behind Those Eyes,” out on all digital platforms NOW. After an extensive about of self-discovery and reflection, lead vocalist Sam Haas brings the project to life through a reflective set of lyrics in “Behind Those Eyes.” With the track’s music video release to follow on February 12th, HAAS approaches the broad pop/rock genre with ease; “Behind Those Eyes” showcases pulsing, rhythmic guitars and powerful lead vocals, reminiscent of 2000’s artists Kelly Clarkson and The Veronicas. The single paves the way for HAAS’ five-track debut EP, due out later this year. About the single, lead vocalist Sam Haas states:

“Behind Those Eyes” is the debut single off HAAS’ upcoming EP. This song is about the dynamics of my relationship with my sister, at a particular point in time, and how an outside influence was changing my perception of her. The song shows the emotional roller coaster that was a year of my life. It shows how an outside influence can have so much influence over someone. This is a song about my efforts to “save” her, but at some point, you have to stop trying and move on. Though this song is immensely personal, I believe that it can be applied to any type of relationship.”

HAAS is a pop/rock band from Virginia. The name HAAS stems from lead vocalist Sam Haas who decided to pay tribute to not only her family name but her late grandfather who inspired her through his music. After years of playing around with names and ideas, HAAS became the official name in 2018. Through the use of catchy melodies, rhythmic guitars, and expressive lyrics, HAAS has been able to marry the pop/rock sound. The group uses music not only as an outlet for themselves, but want the music to be an outlet for others. They draw on personal hardships, such as loss, strained relationships, bullying, depression, and anxiety, but also hardships within the world today. HAAS strives to promote a place of safety and inclusivity, where it is okay to be who you are and forget about the real world for a minute. HAAS has discussed being bullied and scared of being who they are and by embracing themselves, they hope to inspire others to do the same; “love who you are and don’t be afraid to do the things you want.” HAAS plans to release their debut five-song EP in the Spring. Their new single “Behind Those Eyes” is available on all digital platforms NOW.

HAAS | Official Channels

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music

 

Interviews, Music

Interview: Alternative/Pop Rock Band, SHALLOW POOLS

by KristinLeave a Comment on Interview: Alternative/Pop Rock Band, SHALLOW POOLS
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Photo Credit: shallow pools

Good morning, music lovers!

I recently had the chance to speak with SHALLOW POOLS about their band and their music. Shallow Pools is an alternative/pop rock band made up of three amazingly talented female musicians out of Massachusetts and they’re definitely a band to keep your eye on! Check out the interview and their social media links below:

  • Can you introduce yourselves and describe your roles in the band?

    Jess plays guitar, Ali plays drums and Glynnis sings and plays bass!

  • How would you describe your sound?

    We’re definitely a mix of pop rock and alternative!

  • What made you decide to transition from playing acoustic covers to playing originals?

    We started out playing acoustic covers for fun. Once we started getting more serious and playing in front of small crowds, we realized that we wanted to be playing our own music. We just had to learn to play together first before we could start writing together!

  • What was the songwriting process like?

    Jess usually comes up with guitar parts first, and then the drums and bass come after. We almost always work on melodies and lyrics last after we have a solid instrumental! We do rearrange things in the studio, but we like to have a good demo before we record.

  • How important is it for you to draw inspiration from your own experiences in your music?

    It’s definitely important! We feel more connected to these songs than any of our old songs because the lyrics are much more personal. Hopefully other people can relate to these songs and connect with them too!

  • I love seeing a band made up of strong, talented women. How gratifying has it been to see the support for shallow pools so far, and to break that stigma that alternative bands are mostly comprised of men?

    It’s amazing! We’ve had a lot of people approach us after our shows and they seem really excited about our music. Seeing young girls especially getting excited and asking for photos and autographs is the most gratifying feeling. We’re glad that we get to play a small part in breaking the stigma. There are SO MANY talented women playing alternative music and we’ve been lucky enough to meet a lot of them through playing shows.

  • What would you like listeners to take away from your music and from you as a band?

    We hope that listeners can relate to our songs and find comfort in knowing that other people go through similar experiences. We also want people to know that we really want our shows to be inclusive and welcoming spaces.

  • Do you have any upcoming projects or plans for shallow pools that fans should be on the lookout for?

    Our next single “Sinking” is coming out 8/24 and hopefully an EP in the fall! We have a bunch of shows booked over the next few months and all of the dates can be found on our social media!

  • Where can fans find you online?

    A lot of places!!

    iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify
    Instagram: @shallowpoolsMA
    Twitter: @shallowpoolsMA
    Facebook : shallow pools
    YouTube: shallow pools
    shallowpools.com

Blog, Music

Watch: PERSONA Premieres New Single & Music Video, ‘Whole Again’

by KristinLeave a Comment on Watch: PERSONA Premieres New Single & Music Video, ‘Whole Again’

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The adage that states “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” hits home for Long Island Indie/Pop rock quartet Persona and their brand new single “Whole Again,” out TODAY  with a corresponding music video (see below). Running off the recent release of their last single, “Indie Cowboy” (and whilst preparing to record a new album), Persona takes indie rock to new heights, continuing to explore past the realms of the genre and incorporating crisp elements of both alternative rock and pop into the mix. Although the track is quite personal, the corresponding music video adds even more layers to the band’s ‘persona,’ showcasing a toxic relationship on it’s way down. Taking their individual, unique pains and applying it to Persona’s creative process, the final result is an indie mish mosh of triumph. About the release of “Whole Again”, the band states:

“Whole Again” is about coming down off of a breakup and finding yourself, exactly where you are supposed to be. I think we all can relate to a toxic love relationship. Where you love a person so dearly, but they are just not good for you and you stay complacent and settle for all the negative outcomes of the relationship. “Whole Again” is about settling in to the uncomfortable situations after a breakup and finding yourself and growing.

Prior to the band’s foundation in 2011, the members spent the better part of the decade not only developing their craft, but becoming one with the character, reality and imagination that makes the band who they are today. “We write songs about events that have happened in our lives. Our songs are about overcoming are struggles, they are literally who we are collectively and individually,” states singer Tom Spartinos. Indeed, the struggle has been very real in past years with a car accident nearly taking bassist Sam Trestmans’ life, a fire destroying guitarist Costas Themistocleous’ home as well as the band’s home recording studio and various battles with demons and addiction.

“The ups and downs of life in general have solidified a strong and sacred bond between us that has reflected in our music,” explains Themistocleous. Indeed, the layered indie-rock sound that Persona has cultivated shines in the band’s debut release, “Take Me To The Mon”. Released in late 2012, the EP is rich with crisp harmonies and nostalgic melodies. “Mayday, We Crashed” was the sophomore EP produced by Gary Cioffi (Transit, Four Year Strong) at Maximum Sound Studio in Danvers, MA. Upon completion of “Mayday, We Crashed”, Persona ultimately crashed and went under the radar. Little did they know it would be a few years before they shared their music with the world again. “After we got home from touring and the release of “Mayday, We Crashed” we burnt out, we all felt it would be best to take a few weeks to ourselves, little did we know how long that few weeks would turn out to be” explains Tom Spartinos on the band’s state after “Mayday, We Crashed.” “We just needed a break. We needed to grow individually to get to the next chapter of our lives. I honestly can’t say it didn’t hurt me every day, but Tom and I kept writing when we had the chance and jamming full band when available,” retorts Costas Themistocleous.In the spring of 2017, Persona released the single and lyric video for “Say What You Say,” followed by former bassist Will Suraci departing from the band and drummer CJ Kostaras (Giants at Large) becoming the back bone. The new Persona spent the rest of the summer releasing singles, accompanied by a music video once a month. “We want to impact people with our music. We want to make people reflect and ponder, and we want to spread a positive message. There is always room for positive vibes and good feeling, especially in the world we live in today,” added Spartinos. The band is currently set to release 3 new singles and videos before they hit the studio in November 2018 to record their 3rd EP and are planning numerous local and national tour dates for 2018 and beyond. “Whole Again” is out on all digital platforms NOW.

PERSONA | Official Channels:

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