Playing punk-pop with the emphasis on the pop, Los Angeles’ Hey Violet feature guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Miranda Miller, drummer/vocalist Nia Lovelis, bassist/lead vocalist Rena Lovelis, and guitarist Casey Moreta. The group formed out of the ashes of the hard rock band Cherri Bomb, changing its musical direction after parting ways with vocalist/guitarist Julia Pierce in early 2013. Soon after, Moreta joined as a temporary member but became a full-fledged part of the band that March. In February 2015, the band announced its new name was Hey Violet, and released the single and music video “This Is Why” the following month. Hey Violet signed to 5 Seconds of Summer’s label Hi or Hey Records and toured with the band that May, June, and July in support of their debut EP, I Can Feel It.
The title track and the “This Is Why” videos were the driving force behind helping Hey Violet build a devoted and passionate grass roots fan base through their popular independent YouTube channel, that carried over to a following on VEVO.
Hey Violet
“This Is Why”
I Can Feel It went to No. 1 on iTunes in five countries, including the U.K., and Top 5 in 10 other countries. That led to them winning the 2016 Teen Choice Award for “Next Big Thing”
Hey Violet
“I Can Feel It”
From I Can Feel It EP
Hi Or Hey/5 Mode/Caroline/Capitol Records
The band added touring bassist Iain Shipp as a full-fledged member in September 2016, shortly after the release of the poppier Brand New Moves EP.
“We mixed the tracks a bit ’80s style with more synths and drums that sound really fat and big with a groove” says lead singer Rena Lovelis.
That featured the title track, which was the band’s second official video on VEVO, which was published in July of 2016. It was also followed by the release of a live video for the fan-favorite, “Fuqboi” that August.
Hey Violet
“Brand New Moves”
From Brand New MovesEP
Hi Or Hey/5 Mode/Caroline/Capitol Records
Hey Violet
“Fuqboi” (Live) (Explicit)
From Brand New MovesEP
Hi Or Hey/5 Mode/Caroline/Capitol Records
Brand New Moves debuted as the #1 artist album on iTunes in the U.S., and U.K. The Los Angeles Times compared their move “from grimy punk to shiny pop” to the Go-Go’s, while Galore declares front woman Rena Lovelis, “emits an unheard of level of rock-stardom for such a small girl without even singing a single note. But when she does sing, it’s as if Courtney Love, Gwen Stefani, and Hayley Williams crashed into each other and made a whole new generation of rock star.”
That success lead to the band’s first break out Pop smash, “Guys My Age.” Hey Violet performed the single on Late Night With Seth Meyers on March 21st. It has more than 20 million combined streams, while the video has over 11 million views. “Guys My Age” was also named one of the Best Songs of 2016 by The New York Times, who called it “teen-pop’s revenge: an urgent dark song about sexual rebellion” and one of the 20 Best Songs of 2016 by V Magazine.
Hey Violet
“Guys My Age”
Hi Or Hey/5 Mode/Caroline/Capitol Records
The poppier sound that can be heard on the Brand New Moves EP and “Guys My Age” continues on their follow up, “Break My Heart.” The band released the music video for the track on April 4, 2017.
Hey Violet
“Break My Heart”
Hi Or Hey/5 Mode/Caroline/Capitol Records
The high school-set video was shot in Los Angeles and directed by Jesse Heath and Darren Craig for The Uprising Creative.
“We wanted the video to feel like the ultimate high school heartbreak,” says, Rena Lovelis. The story is told through the moody color palette and crazy visual edits which represent the intense range of emotions you go through during a break up and shows how quickly your feelings can change moment to moment.”
Released last month, “Break My Heart” was included on Spotify’s New Music Friday Playlist and has racked up over two million streams. Noting that Hey Violet “already landed a well-deserved hit with ‘Guys My Age,‘” Idolator says, “Break My Heart” is a “monstrous electro-anthem” and declares, the band is “destined to have a massive year.” Alternative Press calls the track “irresistible,” while Nylon raves: “Hey Violet knows how to write a good pop hook and ‘Break My Heart’ is a testament to that. This song has spunk.”
Hey Violet will release their debut album in June 2017 on Hi or Hey Records/Caroline/Capitol Records.
Image via Capitol Records