MUSIC: Hail the Sun
Sometimes music is a right place at the right time experience. Catching you by surprise, when you least expect to be struck with excitement of the heart and the creative forces of life. “You should stay to catch this band about to come on, Hail the Sun”, I’m told while standing in a cool lounge, Spinnaker’s, aboard music festival cruise, the S.S. Neverender. I’ve never heard of the band about to play but why not, I have nowhere else to be but completely present, engaging with the music and people around me. Folks are scattered around the lounge happily chatting, the sea waves beneath us. I notice a couple of people have begun to line up against the stage so, I make my way across the dance floor to save my spot. Unlike at many concerts, there is no barrier. The stage isn’t tall rather it is floor-level, so there isn’t a divide between artists and the audience. Hail the Sun, consisting of Donovan, Aric, Shane, John, and Allen, proceeds to come out and absolutely play the ship down. They are talented, angsty, cheeky, energetic, and emotional. I was feeling significantly creatively lit up after their set that I went to the empty bow of the ship and danced for a while beneath the moonlight. In the last couple of months post music festival cruise I’ve explored Hail the Sun’s discography. I also caught them on their Divine Inner Tension tour in my town of Raleigh, on their VIP experience, which was another enjoyable evening with these talented fellows. I have some Q&A questions and answers with the band to share further in this article!
In the ever-evolving landscape of post-hardcore (a music genre that maintains the intensity of hardcore but has more creative expression), where genres meld and artistic glass ceilings are broken, Hail the Sun has spent the last decade cultivating a unique sound and engaged following of fans. The genesis of Hail the Sun began in California in 2009. Donovan and Aric have been playing music together since middle school, Shane and John joined the band in college in 2009, and as their musical identity evolved, so did their lineup, welcoming in 2016 the rhythmic prowess of drummer, Allen. This amalgamation of talent created an interesting musical concoction—a blend of progressive rock, math rock, and post-hardcore, with shades of screamo, and indie rock—a band that defies easy categorization. I’m looking forward to listening to how they keep evolving. Vocalist Donovan states that they are a collaborative band, they all can bring songs and ideas to the table. Dual roled during their shows, Donovan will play about 20-30% of the drums. Not seen to often, prior to Allen joining the band, Donovan would both play the drums and sing lead vocals at the same time.
Their debut studio album "POW! Right In the Kisser!" (2010) and EP “Elephantitis” (2012) were released independently before signing with Blue Swan Records. "Wake" (2014), "Culture Scars" (2016), “Secret Wars” (2017), and “Mental Knife” (2018) showcased their evolving sound, pushing the boundaries of post-hardcore and solidifying their status as a force to be reckoned with in the alternative music scene. In 2015 the band signed to Equal Vision Records putting out the single ‘Paranoia’ with Melero saying of their work at the time, “We aren’t slowing down one bit stylistically, but rather taking the same Hail The Sun we all know and developing it even more. Our vision is another collection of songs that, when performed, we can play from the heart and really feel the meaning and vibe of each”. The 2021 release, "New Age Filth," not only solidified their position as gifted musicians but also will rock your socks off, it is so good. My favorite tracks on "New Age Filth" are in no particular ‘Parasitic Cleanse’, ‘Misfire’, ‘Solipsism’, ‘Slander’, and ‘Domino’. There is also an instrumental release of “New Age Filth’ which I play often! “New Age Filth” brought forth a more universal sound from the band, showcasing their maturity as musicians and songwriters and ability to have different sounds while still maintaining the roots of Hail the Sun. The tracks resonated with a broader emotional spectrum, delving into themes of introspection, societal complexities, and the uncharted territories of the human psyche.
Their most recent album, which is catchy and a tad esoteric, "Divine Inner Tension" released in August of 2023. Divine Inner Tension" stands as a testament to Hail the Sun's artistic evolution and their unyielding commitment to pushing the boundaries of their sound. Released on August 11, 2023, the album marked a departure from their usual studio practices. For the first time, the drums were not tracked in the studio by Donovan but rather by Allen, adding an extra layer of collaborative energy to the recording process. This evolution will get you dancing. The album's sonic palette is rich and diverse, traversing through intricate rhythms, dynamic shifts, and emotionally charged lyrics. Tracks like "Maladapted" and ‘The Story Writes Itself’ serve as sonic portals, inviting listeners to explore the depths of their own consciousness. The album's reception wasn't just a nod to the band's existing fanbase; it garnered attention from a broader audience, solidifying Hail the Sun's position as a formidable force in contemporary alternative music. Something refreshing about their shows is seeing quite a few women in spaces that have typically felt masculine. Themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the enigmatic dance with demons, angels, and the creative forces of the universe echo through the discography. The struggles, triumphs, and vulnerabilities embedded in the songs become a shared narrative between the band and their listeners. It's this connection that transforms Hail the Sun's music into a cathartic experience, resonating with audiences on a visceral level, dancing, moshing, yelling, singing all together. There is a magnetic presence to Donovan as he sings, dances, throws the microphone around, and leads the audience. Shane and Aric’s intricate guitar work weaves sonic tapestries of delicious guitar playing, while John Stirrat's basslines anchor the compositions. Allen’s rhythmic precision and energy adds a layer of dynamism that elevates the experience, he has that GOAT energy. Donovan stated on the “It’s Not a Phase” podcast that, headlining a tour during an album rollout has been a deviation from their usual strategy but it has been invigorating for the band. My favorites from “Divine Inner Tension’ is no particular order are the first six songs on the album. Donovan says, “We’re really lucky that up until this point the same four guys, and for the last seven years Allen as well, have grown together, have been on the same journey together, the overall tone has been moving forward, upwards and onwards, anything is possible, we can think it? It can be a thing, let’s figure out how to get there”.
Part of being a band with DIY roots, their fan base is an integral part of their journey, so on their Divine Inner Tension tour they offered a VIP session before the show for a photo with them, a question and answer session, & a two song acoustic set. This is an invitation for fans to tap into the tapestry of shared creative experience. The essence of Hail the Sun isn't confined to studio recordings; they blossom on stage, where the band's energy converges with the audience's collective spirit.
I wish I would have taken notes during the Q&A at the Raleigh show I attended but alas who can blame me for living in the moment! I asked who is spearheading the monthly merch drops and why that interests them? They replied that Donovan was spearheading the project and that they’re interested in Hail the Sun having nifty, well-made, limited time clothing and lifestyle items, expanding the brand to be about more than just the music. I regret not grabbing their ‘Divine Inner Tension’ hoodie, it is so cool! I quite enjoy their instrumental release of “New Age Filth” so I asked if there was going to be an instrumental release of “Divine Inner Tension” and they looked at each other giving a “maybeee…yes” response, so be on the lookout for that release! During a bit of mingling, I asked Donovan if he has a dance he does to “Misfire” when he performs it and he didn’t think he did but jokingly said he would come up with one and it would be his first Tik Tok, sooo maybe or maybe not keep an eye out for that one haha.
I asked Donovan a few questions about the tour and himself.
Blossom: “What did you enjoy about the Divine Inner Tension tour and what can we expect different for the upcoming tour in the Spring”?
Donovan: “I loved the Divine Inner Tension tour, both legs of it were fucking awesome. Some of the best times we’ve ever had headlining a tour. For the Spring tour we’re going to throw in more songs for sure from Divine Inner Tension”.
Blossom: “Did you design any of the Hail the Sun merch”?
Donovan: “As far as Hail the Sun merch in general? No, I don’t design any of it. We have a bunch of different artists that do stuff. This latest artist we’ve been working with a lot his name is Ron Totman and he’s awesome, he’s really got our style streamlined and we both see the direction the same”.
Blossom: “What advice do you have for new artists”?
Donovan: “Oh man that is a loaded question. I would say, as long as you are doing what you love and it shows in your art whether that be drawings or music or what have you then people can sense it, they can sense how much you love your own art and it can be contagious. As long as you love it, keep doing it and whatever direction you want to go, it will start to fall into place. That is the best advice I can give in this short amount of time here”.
Blossom: “What is your favorite song at the moment”?
Donovan: “There is this great Panchiko song, ah I can’t think of the name of it, it’s on their Top 5 of Spotify, it’s great”.
Blossom: “What is lighting you up with creativity currently”
Donovan: “Uhm, I think just living in general, living in this timeframe that we are, just being alive is pretty inspiring to be totally honest”.
Blossom: “What is your spirit animal”?
Donovan: “I would say my spirit animal is a bear 🐻”.
Hail the Sun has been dropping monthly merch releases (which have sold out), and they aren’t just about fashion, they are strategic releases with unique pieces that engage their audience, make a statement, and keeps the momentum of their music and message alive. Donovan has a side project he started during the pandemic called, Kill Iconic. Kill Iconic is a record label, subscription-based magazine, music festival, and they have some good looking merchandise. The Kill Iconic magazine and festival takes the connection between artists and audience a step further, offering a tangible piece of the band's community and creativity to the fans. The anticipation surrounding the Kill Iconic Fest on March 23rd, 2024 and the promise of an instrumental Divine Inner Tension album showcase the band's forward-thinking approach. It's not just about creating music; it's about creating an experience that extends beyond the stage.
I met a fellow named Devin on the S.S. Neverender music festival cruise who has been to atleast 45+ Hail the Sun shows so I thought he would be a great person to chat with about why he loves Hail the Sun! Devin says, “Here to tell you about why I like Hail the Sun and a little bit about my experience at their shows. One of the main reason I am so into them is because of their lyrics, their lyrics to me are very raw and very vulnerable. Their lyrics have things that I probably wouldn’t be able to admit myself but when they’re coming from the lyrics it is much easier to say/feel these things. They arent my words but they are true and near and dear to me, also, the lyrics ever since I started getting into them when “New Age Filth” came out, the lyrics were parallel to my life and what I was experiencing and it kind of made feel less lonely knowing that others were feeling the same things I was. My experience at their shows has been therapeutic. It’s almost like a group therapy session is the best way to desribe it, a therapy sesssion for me and the other fans around me. I don’t want to speak on behalf of others fan but I would like to believe that we all have issues and we’re all fighting our own battles and I think Hail the Sun attracts a certain kind of individual and it is nice to come together with all these different people from different walks of life, we leave their shows feeling lighter and better”.
I feel lucky to have been struck with that creative buzzing feeling of discovering a new band that instantly clicks with you, that feeling of being in the right place at the right time. I’m looking forward to catching some Hail the Sun concerts in 2024 and jamming out to the instrumental release of “Divine Inner Tension”! What are you waiting for? Go give Hail the Sun a listen! If you’re like me and experience creatively somatically, Hail the Sun makes a great band for dancing and exercising! They also help me feel connected to my skills as an oracle. You never know how music will light you up, connect you to community, and aide in propelling you forward in your creative endeavors. As humans, we have the ability to create much of our realities. Hit me up friends if you want to play Hail the Sun carpool karaoke or go to one of their shows together!
Grab your tickets for Hail the Sun’s spring tour here AND/or Go to Kill Iconic Fest
Photos 1-4 are by: Nicole J Stephens, Book her for your band's tour! Find her on Insta
LAST PIC IS FROM THE S.S. NEVERENDER SHOW IN SPINNAKER’S LOUNGE WITH A LITTLE DOODLE BY ME, BLOSSOM
L
LA
