Half Alive (band) explained

Half Alive
Origin:Long Beach, California, U.S.
Associated Acts:Twenty One Pilots
Years Active:2016–present
Label:RCA
Current Members:
  • Josh Taylor
  • Brett Kramer
  • J. Tyler Johnson

Half Alive (stylized as half•alive or h•a)[1] is an American rock band from Long Beach, California.[2] The band was formed in 2016 and consists of lead singer Josh Taylor, drummer Brett Kramer and bassist J. Tyler Johnson. The trio are best known for their single "Still Feel" and its choreographed music video. Their first EP, 3, was released in 2017,[3] while their debut studio album, Now, Not Yet, was released on August 9, 2019.

History

2016–2017: Formation and debut EP

Josh Taylor had previously been lead singer for "The Moderates", a band from Long Beach, California. The band released their debut EP Colour in 2013.[4] In November 2015, Taylor announced that he had embarked on a seven-month songwriting program several months prior during which he hoped to write 50 songs, a project that would eventually end on December 30. Brett Kramer, who Taylor knew as they attended the same non-denominational church, joined him on the project. The duo decided to form a band in 2016[5] [6] while "watching the songs evolve as [they] were working together."[7] [8]

It was announced that The Moderates had disbanded on April 10, 2017, due to other commitments, but an EP as well as a new music video would be released by Taylor's new band, "Half Alive".[9] The band's first single, "The Fall", was released on April 24 of that year alongside its music video.[10] Their debut EP, 3, was released on the same day.[11] It was recorded with the help of James Krausse inside a helicopter hangar in the Mojave Desert which had been converted to a recording studio.[12] A behind the scenes video for "The Fall" was uploaded onto the band's YouTube channel in July. "Aawake at Night", the second single from the EP, was released on November 6. The three songs from the EP collectively amassed 4 million streams on Spotify in July 2018 and currently have over 95 million as of November 2021.[13] [14] Soon after the EP's release, the duo added a new member to their band, bassist J. Tyler Johnson, who Kramer met while performing at various music festivals at university, and together entered and won a jazz competition with during this time, while Johnson had been introduced to Taylor through the former's brother. This was done to avoid using computer-generated sounds in their songs and live performances in favor of live instruments.

2018–2020: Success with "Still Feel", major label signing and Now, Not Yet

See main article: Now, Not Yet. On August 3, 2018, the band released the single "Still Feel", accompanied by a music video filmed at Popsicle LA. The video attracted attention for its choreography and cinematography, done by lead singer Josh Taylor and JA Collective,[15] and received positive reviews from publications including Alternative Press and Rock Sound, the former calling the cinematography "first-class" and the latter calling the band "so multi-talented".[16] [17] NPR also featured the track on the "All Songs Considered" playlist and directed praise at its music video,[15] while Triple J placed it on their "Best New Music" list, expressing similar sentiments.[18] Thanks to the attention received by the track, the band signed a record deal with RCA Records soon after.[19] The band subsequently performed their first live show in October 2018 at the Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles.[20] They embarked on their first tour from January to February 2019, taking place in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.[21] [22] Soon after the release of "Still Feel", the band disclosed that they were recording two new songs that they had previously performed live, but declined to reveal when they would be released.[7]

On January 18, 2019, the band released the single "Arrow" and a music video premiered later that day.[23] Time named it one of the best songs of the week, writing that "the song is filled with small surprises, like mini drum breaks and a groovy synth sequence that break it up into an unexpected composition that pulses with fresh energy."[24] After the release of the single, the band disclosed to Rock Sound that they were working "on a larger body of work but keeping it discreet and mysterious." The following month, the band's track "Still Feel" entered the Hot Rock Songs and Alternative Songs[25] chart in the United States and eventually peaked at number 26 on the former and number 21 on the latter. On March 14, the band made their late-night television debut as they played the track on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The performance was well received by Billboard, calling it "spectacularly orchestrated," and Rolling Stone, who deemed it "cleverly choreographed."[26] [27] The band then announced a world tour taking place from June to November in Australia, North America and Europe.[26]

On April 25, the trio announced on social media that they would be releasing all of their released material on a vinyl record named *7, which also includes an intro track and an unreleased song named "Runaway".[28] On June 13, the band released the track "Runaway" as a single alongside a heavily choreographed music video, simultaneously announcing that their debut studio album, Now, Not Yet, would be released on August 9.[29] They performed the track live for Vevo's DSCVR series alongside "Arrow" and incorporated various dance interludes from their music videos in the renditions.[30] The album's fourth single, "Pure Gold", which was produced by Ariel Rechtshaid, was released on July 19 alongside a "colorful and jubilant" visual.[31] [32] A fifth single titled "OK OK?" was premiered on July 31 at 10 AM PST on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 show as that day's "World Record".[33] [34] A music video for the song also shared that day.[35]

The band released an EP titled "In Florescence" on May 1, 2020, which features orchestral reimaginings of four songs off Now, Not Yet.[36] The EP was accompanied by a documentary titled "Now, Not Yet: in Florescence" that was released on Youtube on May 4.[37]

2021–present: Give Me Your Shoulders, Pt. 1 & Conditions of a Punk

See main article: Conditions of a Punk. On March 10, 2021, the band announced that they will be performing at the 2021 Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival in September of that year.[38] On March 24, they announced the release of a new single titled "What's Wrong",[39] which was released the following week on March 31 alongside a music video.[40] They further confirmed that it would serve as the first single from their upcoming second album.[41] "What's Wrong" was a collaboration with production duo Ojivolta. A second single, "Time 2", was released on May 26.[42]

On June 26, it was announced that the band would accompany Twenty One Pilots during the Takeover Tour as an opening act. This marked the band's first time playing a live show since the conclusion of the Now, Not Yet Tour in November 2019. The band released a third single, titled "Summerland", on July 23.[43] The music video for "Summerland" stars actress Fivel Stewart. The fourth single, "Make of It", was released on September 16.

On November 17, the band announced a North American "Give Me Your Shoulders Tour", set to begin in February 2022. The announcement promised more throughout the week. This promise was kept true with the release of "Hot Tea" on November 18, along with an accompanying music video the next day. Unlike their past songs, "Hot Tea" features distorted vocals and trap inspired hi-hats.

"Hot Tea" was accompanied by the formal announcement of what was originally planned to be the band's sophomore album, Give Me Your Shoulders. The album was revealed as a two part record, the first of which—Give Me Your Shoulders, Pt. 1—was released on February 11, 2022, preceding the tour across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe.[44]

On September 12, 2022, the band announced the cancellation of Give Me Your Shoulders, Pt. 2 in favor of "something beyond it".[45] The band began what they described as a "new era" with the release of a spoken word track, "Night Swims (poem)" the same day.[46] On September 14, the band began teasing the release of a new single titled "Did I Make You Up?".[47] It was released on October 13, 2022, with its music video ending with the announcement of the release of their second album, Conditions of a Punk, on December 2, 2022. The track list for Conditions of a Punk features every track from Give Me Your Shoulders, Pt. 1. "Time 2" and "Night Swims (poem)" do not appear on either album. The day before the album release, the band also announced its accompanying tour, set to take place across North America, the UK, and Europe in early 2023; a second leg was announced in June with more dates in North America, plus shows in Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand.

On August 11, 2023, the band released an EP titled Live in Chicago, featuring four tracks recorded live from the Conditions of a Punk show held at the House of Blues in Chicago. [48] Accompanying footage was released on their Youtube channel.

Musical style and influences

The band's musical style has been described as indie pop,[49] pop,[27] alternative rock,[26] dance-pop, electronic rock and electropop,[5] and further incorporates elements of R&B, funk and soul.[19] The band have explained that they enjoy experimenting with numerous genres as well as sounds from 1960's, 70's and contemporary music.[50] They have cited film and psychology, specifically Jungian and Freudian concepts from which the band's name derives, as some of their influences, in addition to the work of Sufjan Stevens, Vulfpeck, Christine and the Queens, Kimbra, Emily King, Chance the Rapper, Tyler, the Creator and Twenty One Pilots,[49] [50] and incorporate themes of anxiety and religion in their songs.[51] Taylor, in an interview with NBHAP, illustrated that while songwriting he aims to hit the "sweet spot" between "abstract" and "relatable" lyrics in order to allow listeners to interpret them in their own way.[52]

Band members

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
DetailsPeak chart positions
US
Alt.
[53] 		US
Rock
[54]
Now, Not Yet 15 46
Conditions of a Punk
  • Released: December 2, 2022
  • Label: RCA
  • Format: Digital download, LP
— —

Compilation albums

Extended plays

TitleDetails
3
  • Released: April 24, 2017
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
In Florescence
  • Released: May 1, 2020
  • Label: RCA
  • Format: Digital download
Give Me Your Shoulders, Pt. 1
Live From Chicago
At Fingerprints (Acoustic)

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
Alt.
[59] 		US
Rock
[60]
"The Fall"2017— —3
"A<-- Not a typo -->awake at Night"— —
"tip toes"— —
"Still Feel"20187 21 Now, Not Yet
"Arrow"2019— —
"Runaway"29 —
"Pure Gold"— —
"OK OK?"— —
"Breakfast"[62] — —
"What's Wrong"202126 —Give Me Your Shoulders, Pt. 1 & Conditions of a Punk
"Time 2"— —
"Summerland"— —Give Me Your Shoulders, Pt. 1 & Conditions of a Punk
"Make of It"— —
"Hot Tea"— —
"Move Me"202232 —
"Did I Make You Up?"14 —Conditions of a Punk
"High Up"— —
"Nobody (feat. Dodie)"2023——
"Beige"——Bose x NME: C23
"Subliminal"——
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Tours

Headlining

Opening act

Notes

  1. Web site: half•alive on Apple Music. iTunes Store. en-US. November 14, 2018.
  2. Web site: half•alive (@halfaliveco) - Twitter. Twitter. en. November 15, 2018.
  3. Web site: 3 - Single by half•alive. iTunes Store. April 24, 2017 . November 14, 2018.
  4. Web site: Colour (EP) by The Moderates. iTunes Store. August 6, 2013 . March 17, 2019.
  5. Web site: Half Alive Artist Biography by James Christopher Monger. Monger. James Christopher. AllMusic. June 13, 2019.
  6. Web site: half•alive - New Music, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music. BBC. June 13, 2019.
  7. News: Half Alive Interview. Wilber. Kira. Honey Mag. en-US. March 17, 2019.
  8. News: Pop trio half*alive ponders good vs. evil. Lanham. Tom. February 7, 2019. San Francisco Examiner. en-US. March 17, 2019. February 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190212183522/http://www.sfexaminer.com/pop-trio-halfalive-ponders-good-vs-evil/. dead.
  9. half•alive . half•alive . halfaliveco . 851592990254448640 . April 11, 2017 . what's happening. what's next. https://t.co/YaxUm04Ve7 . en . December 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220818031258/https://twitter.com/halfaliveco/status/851592990254448640 . August 18, 2022 . live.
  10. Web site: half•alive – "the fall" (Video). Tanner. Chris. April 24, 2017. newsickmusic.com. en-US. November 14, 2018. November 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181116043333/http://newsickmusic.com/half%E2%80%A2alive-fall-video. dead.
  11. Web site: 3 - Single by half•alive. iTunes Store. April 24, 2017 . en-US. November 15, 2018.
  12. News: half•alive Release Debut EP & Video "the fall" - Long Beach Independent. Newkirik. Shea. April 24, 2017. Long Beach Independent. en-US. November 1, 2018. July 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190725125701/https://www.longbeachindependent.com/2017/04/half%E2%80%A2alive-release-debut-ep-video-fall/. dead.
  13. Web site: Indie Pop Trio half•alive Wins Warehouse Dance Videos with "still feel." Visual. Scholfield. Anna. August 3, 2018. Ones to Watch. November 15, 2018.
  14. Web site: half•alive. Spotify. en. November 15, 2018.
  15. Web site: New Mix: Thom Yorke, Sylvan Esso, Buke & Gase, More. Hilton. Robin. Boilen. Bob. September 11, 2018. NPR. en-AU. November 28, 2018.
  16. Web site: Watch indie newcomers half•alive nail this incredible choreography in one take. Hannan. Devon. August 3, 2018. Alternative Press. en-US. November 15, 2018.
  17. Web site: Introducing: half•alive- Check Out Their Brand New Video - News - Rock Sound Magazine. Jamieson. Brii. August 3, 2018. Rock Sound. en-GB. November 15, 2018. November 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181116043400/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/introducing-halfalive-check-out-their-brand-new-video. dead.
  18. Web site: Best New Music: Chance, Sampa, half·alive, Crooked Colours, Fergus James. Newstead. Al. December 10, 2018. ABC. June 14, 2019.
  19. Web site: Long Bio: half•alive. January 29, 2019.
  20. Web site: half•alive - Tickets - Moroccan Lounge - Los Angeles, CA - October 29th, 2018. The Moroccan. November 16, 2018. November 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181116215937/https://www.themoroccan.com/event/1759390-half-alive-los-angeles/. dead.
  21. News: Half•Alive Have Announced Their UK Debut, And It's On Sale Now - News - Rock Sound Magazine. Jamieson. Brii. September 28, 2019. Rock Sound. en-GB. November 15, 2018.
  22. half•alive . half•alive . halfaliveco . 1085682936911785985 . January 16, 2019 . •tour starts sunday https://t.co/n1Fqi4KbJA https://t.co/JHvEvPHTJF . en . December 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190524165526/https://twitter.com/halfaliveco/status/1085682936911785985 . May 24, 2019 . live.
  23. Web site: New Music Releases for 18 January 2019. Ryan. Gavin. January 18, 2019. Noise11. January 18, 2019.
  24. 5 Songs You Need to Listen to This Week. Bruner. Raisa. January 18, 2019. Time. en. January 19, 2019.
  25. Alternative Songs Chart: The week of February 9, 2019. Billboard. March 17, 2019.
  26. Half Alive Give Debut TV Performance Of 'Still Feel' On 'Kimmel,' Announce Global Tour. Acevedo. Angelica. March 15, 2019. Billboard. en-US. March 17, 2019.
  27. Watch Half Alive's Mesmeric Late-Night Debut on 'Kimmel'. Blistein. Jon. March 15, 2019. Rolling Stone. en-US. March 17, 2019.
  28. half•alive . half•alive . halfaliveco . 1121583439403053056 . April 26, 2019 . •the entire half•alive collection thus far, +1 unreleased track. -our way of looking back before looking forward, & thanking you for being a part of the journey, growing as we grow. *7 will be ready for pre-order tomorrow, 12pm pst at https://t.co/Ejmns0a9HE ___ *7 ~• -h•a https://t.co/x78CAokd8i . en . December 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220818031223/https://twitter.com/halfaliveco/status/1121583439403053056 . August 18, 2022 . live.
  29. Half Alive Announce Debut Album, Dance Off to War in New 'Runaway' Video. Shaffer. Claire. June 13, 2019. Rolling Stone. en-US. June 14, 2019.
  30. News: Watch half.alive Tear Through Two Songs In A Single Take. Jamieson. Brii. July 15, 2019. Rock Sound. July 19, 2019. July 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717131739/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/watch-half.alive-tear-through-two-songs-in-a-single-take. dead.
  31. Web site: New Music Releases for 19 July 2019. Ryan. Gavin. July 18, 2019. Noise11. July 18, 2019.
  32. Half Alive Release Jubilant New Track 'Pure Gold'. Shaffer. Claire. July 19, 2019. Rolling Stone. en-US. July 20, 2019.
  33. half•alive . half•alive . halfaliveco . 1156353252247724034 . July 30, 2019 . •great new song 'ok ok?' will be ready for you tomorrow. hear it first on @Beats1 @zanelowe at 10am pst https://t.co/jjT15YsLsy . en . December 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191003015711/https://twitter.com/halfaliveco/status/1156353252247724034 . October 3, 2019 . live.
  34. Web site: Beats 1 on Twitter: 'Another #WorldRecord incoming...'. Twitter. August 1, 2019.
  35. Web site: Check Out Half•Alive's Brand New Single. Jamieson. Brii. August 1, 2019. Rock Sound. en-GB. August 1, 2019. August 7, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190807204137/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/check-out-halfalives-brand-new-single. dead.
  36. Web site: in Florescence - EP by half•alive on Apple Music. Apple Music. May 3, 2020.
  37. May 4, 2020 . half·alive - Now, Not Yet: in Florescence (documentary) . halfaliveVEVO . . December 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221027214938/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnjmyTi5nPU . October 27, 2022 . live.
  38. half•alive . half•alive . halfaliveco . 1369715693302681600 . March 10, 2021 . feels good to be back. •see you September 17-19, 2021 @lifeisbeautiful in LAS VEGAS. Tickets go on sale this Friday @ 10am PT #LifeisBeautiful2021 https://t.co/IXlV36QwjD . en . December 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220818031320/https://twitter.com/halfaliveco/status/1369715693302681600 . August 18, 2022 . live.
  39. March 24, 2021 . what's happened, what's next.. . . . December 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015045614/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS58dDd1lCk . October 15, 2022 . live.
  40. March 31, 2021 . half·alive - What's Wrong (Official Video) . halfaliveVEVO . . December 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221123201004/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyhuxgok3ek . November 23, 2022 . live.
  41. Web site: half•alive Have Released a Gorgeous New Single. Rogers. Jack. March 31, 2021. Rock Sound. March 31, 2021. March 31, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210331183032/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/halfalive-have-released-a-gorgeous-new-single. dead.
  42. half•alive . half•alive . halfaliveco . 1396209666879754242 . May 22, 2021 . TIME 2 may 26 • 1pm est / 10am pst visit https://t.co/mKSUlDO8ck & you'll know what to do from there.you'll know. https://t.co/tAu6VxveFu . en . December 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211215214702/https://twitter.com/halfaliveco/status/1396209666879754242 . December 15, 2021 . live.
  43. Web site: Summerland - Single by half•alive on Apple Music. Apple Music. July 23, 2021.
  44. Web site: Half•Alive Releases PT.1 Of Their New Album 'Give Me Your Shoulders' – Music Video For New Single "Move Me" Out Now. February 11, 2022. RCA Records. February 14, 2022.
  45. half•alive . half•alive . halfaliveco . 1569377786674167808 . September 12, 2022 . the end of an era & the beginning of another. we didn't need Part 2, we needed something beyond it.. https://t.co/OEL7VGHBx4 . en . December 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220912181103/https://twitter.com/halfaliveco/status/1569377786674167808 . September 12, 2022 . live.
  46. half•alive . half•alive . halfaliveco . 1569378571831091203 . September 12, 2022 . Night Swims (poem) is also on Spotify if you'd like to listen to it there. just 4 u. https://t.co/J7PH0KbWC3 . en . December 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220921194335/https://twitter.com/halfaliveco/status/1569378571831091203 . September 21, 2022 . live.
  47. half•alive . half•alive . halfaliveco . 1570207337587290112 . September 15, 2022 . trust us with your phone number & we'll text you a preview of something we've been working on https://t.co/UCGGEi2l7o https://t.co/XCDxOlOy0F . en . December 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922025304/https://twitter.com/halfaliveco/status/1570207337587290112 . September 22, 2022 . live.
  48. Web site: half•alive on Instagram: "we recorded the Chicago show from the COAP Tour & decided to make a lil EP from some of those tracks. half•alive - LIVE FROM CHICAGO EP will be yours this Friday Aug 11. (&&& special announcement with more tour dates coming later today.. guesses welcomed) 1. Conditions Of A Punk - Live 2. Never Been Better - Live (feat. @tessaviolet) 3. Make Of It - Live 4. Nobody - Live" . 2023-08-12 . Instagram . en.
  49. News: Half•alive Make Feel Good Music for the Soul. Villasenor. Yvonne. February 5, 2019. OC Weekly. en-US. February 15, 2019.
  50. News: [Interview] half•alive : "Ce qui nous importe le plus, c'est de développer une vision globale pour le groupe"]. Coraline. March 21, 2019. On the Move. fr. June 14, 2019. February 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230217014121/http://www.onthemoveworld.com/otm-fr/2019/03/interview-half-alive/. dead.
  51. News: half•alive's Josh Taylor on new music: "It's been a wild journey". Aikins. Gabriel. September 18, 2017. Substream Magazine. en-US. November 15, 2018.
  52. News: YouTube As A Driving Force: How half•alive Beat The Algorithm. Hiller. Nora. March 25, 2019. NBHAP. June 15, 2019.
  53. half alive Chart History: Alternative Albums. Billboard. January 24, 2020.
  54. half alive Chart History: Top Rock Albums. Billboard. January 24, 2020.
  55. Web site: Now, Not Yet by half•alive on Apple Music. Apple Music. June 14, 2019.
  56. half•alive . half•alive . halfaliveco . 1139221566774890496 . June 13, 2019 . •the debut album Now, Not Yet will be ready 8.09.19. •the world tour, 1st Now, Not Yet merch & vinyl drop, & the music video for RUNAWAY is all ready for you now. everything @ https://t.co/n1Fqi4KbJA ]\|language=en |access-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314192832/https://twitter.com/halfaliveco/status/1139221566774890496 |archive-date=March 14, 2022 |url-status=live.
  57. Web site: Now, Not Yet CD - half•alive. Half Alive's web store. August 17, 2019. August 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190817164421/https://halfalive.co/products/now-not-yet-cd. dead.
  58. Web site: Now, Not Yet Cassette (Limited to 100) - half•alive. Half Alive's web store. August 17, 2019. August 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190817164054/https://halfalive.co/collections/now-not-yet/products/now-not-yet-cassette. dead.
  59. half alive Chart History: Alternative Songs. Billboard. January 24, 2020.
  60. half alive Chart History: Hot Rock Songs. Billboard. January 24, 2020.
  61. United States. Half·Alive. March 26, 2021.
  62. Web site: New Music Releases for 11 October 2019. Cashmere. Paul. October 11, 2019. Noise11. October 11, 2019.

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