Premiere: The Hails Continue To Switch Up Their Sound While Bringing Out The Best Of Their Music With "Broken Vows"

 

☆ BY ASTRID ORTEGA ☆

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ALWAYS SWITCHING IT UP AND GIVING US SOMETHING NEW - The Hails are back with the premiere of their new track "Broken Vows". The second of three singles from their upcoming EP Alive In Strange Ways, the band not only captures our hearts all over again, but takes us into a new world of their sound. 

Through their new single, it’s very visible what new elements and growth has happened in their music. “Broken Vows” has a smooth edge throughout the track, bringing in the listener in more with each note. The band notes, “‘Broken Vows’ is a song that was born out of messy break-ups and failed relationships. Our guitarist, Dylan, sketched out the song with a demo that sounded like nothing we had ever written before. Experimenting with new drum machines and darker bass sounds felt like a natural progression from the brighter sounds on our debut EP, He Seems Upset.

Previous single “Till I See You Again” contains subtle synthy elements with smooth vocals that grab you while “Fake a Frown” takes on a more groovy approach. Combined with an immense amount of little yet significant elements that make the song unique to what The Hails are, “Broken Vows,” is bound to be a favorite this summer. 

As the band continues to explore their sound they make sure to always change things up and give us something fresh, without losing the energy of The Hails we love. Check out the new track below and read on to learn more about what to expect with new music.

LUNA: Hellooooo everyone, so much has changed since we last chatted in September. How are you all doing and adapting to life opening up again? 

ROBBIE: I’ve been well, and very excited for the near future. Seeing outdoor shows has been a nice spark for me lately.

ZACH: Honestly have been pretty surprised how quickly I’ve gotten used to not wearing masks. Thought it would have taken more time. Besides that, it’s been nice to get back to things that I used to do.

FRANCO: I really missed people. I still miss people but thankfully not quite as much as before.

LUNA: “Broken Vows” showcases a groovy side of your music, but with a more wispy vocal tone. Sonically, what are some main changes we’ll hear with new music compared to previous tunes?

ZACH: I would say more of electronic elements with the percussion and utilizing Franco and Robbie’s vocals together as well as spicing it up with Dylan.

LUNA: Which lyric from the track is your favorite? 

ROBBIE: “I’m gonna spite my face, look how my nose is running.” Graphic image, but it hits home.

Franco: “I’m gonna bring you down, trip you and take your money” Gives me the image of a bully from a kids movie shaking a kid down for his lunch money, I like the quirkiness

LUNA: What was the recording process like for this track? Were you able to be together or was this done remotely? 

ZACH: The recording process has been unusual for us. We recorded vocals for Franco and Robbie separately and then work on the mixes through zoom with our producer Matthew Lewin.

ROBBIE: We’ve pretty much been away from each other for the last year and a half. We all stay in our little spots and send each other files.

LUNA: Since college I’m sure your creative process as a band has changed in many ways, but has any part of the process remained relatively the same? 

ROBBIE: The same filters still apply when we try to narrow down our songs. The songs have always come from vastly different places and combinations, but usually we’re always looking for a catchy melody, some subtle experimentation, and honest lyrics. 

LUNA: How do you think the freedom to experiment with your sound and not really feel pressured to commit to one vibe has shaped the upcoming project?

ZACH: I think we pull from so many different influences that it naturally will always not sound like one particular vibe. The beauty of the band is having that conglomeration of influences that clash and come together at the same time.

FRANCO: I love this question. This to me I think is the key for our creativity and desire to make music is being able to float between styles while hopefully still retaining our identity. Maybe one day we’ll find “our sound” but until then its about experimentation.

LUNA: Later this summer you’ll be playing the WonderStruck Festival, so exciting! What are you most looking forward to now that festival season is a reality?

ROBBIE: Meeting some new people in cities we’ve never played before should be a lot of fun. On our last tour in early 2020 I had a nice time hanging out at the merch table and talking to folks about music. Hopefully we can even meet some other artists at these festivals, too

FRANCO: Having an excuse to get together as a band. Love these guys, didn’t see them enough before COVID and even less after. 

LUNA: You get a total of 6 spots - who is at your dream dinner and what are you eating? 

ROBBIE: Bugs Bunny, Roddy Ricch, Billy the Kid, Glen “Big Baby” Davis, Morty (but not Rick) and myself. We’ll have lasagna. 

FRANCO: Jesus, Druski & Jack Harlow (must come as a pair), Paul McCartney, Lil Baby and me. We’re having wings from Rick Ross’ favorite Wingstop

LUNA: With this track out and the EP looming, what goals do you have for the upcoming few months? 

ZACH: I’m not sure exactly how much we want to give away yet, but we definitely want to hit the road and play some shows as well as work on new tunes.

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“There's no part of me where I'm denying it or I'm ashamed or I don't want to represent that, but I think just some things should go unspoken and just let the art speak. You don't have to say someone is this, someone is that.  Just listen to my music & come up with your own conclusion. That is so freeing to know that I'm not having to adhere to any type of category, genre. I'm just me. I'm a person sharing my experiences & living my life. I don't ever want to be boxed in that way. “ - Deb Never in our 15th Issue 🌟 Photos by @myyaaii Styling by @savwhite Interview by @itssophielol
Dylan Fraser’s catalog explores ruminative pop that is unafraid to experiment with distortion in all of its iterations, & unequivocally embraces vulnerability 🎵 Following the success of 2020’s ‘The Storm’, Fraser has quickly caught the attention of the industry & with his upcoming project, he is ready to cement his position in the new pop canon.  💫Fraser’s new track, “Nightmare”, is out now on all streaming platforms + his new EP, ‘The World Isn’t Big When You Know How It Works’, will be released on August 20th through Atlantic Records. Check out our interview with Fraser to learn more about the new music & what’s next for him ⚡️
“Polaroids & Instax film have a beautiful almost impressionistic feeling that I feel can’t be fully replicated digitally. Instant films contain reactive chemicals that just seem to handle light in color in a special way. Even when I crop my instax photos to remove the border, you can still tell it’s instant film.” - Ryan Scullin 🌟 🎞 Upcoming NYC photographer Ryan Scullin captures a modern perspective when observing the subjects & landscapes around him. Check out the full interview & more of his work on our site now 💗
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