Hey Violet didn’t always start off as the successful rock-pop group they are now. Originally, lead vocalist Rena Lovelis, drummer Nia Lovelis, and ex-keyboardist Miranda Miller were in a band called Cherri Bomb, who released an album through Hollywood Records in 2012 and opened for the Foo Fighters and Smashing Pumpkins.
A year later, Julia Pierce, the lead vocalist of Cherri Bomb, departed from the band and slowly, with the addition of guitarist Casey Moreta and bassist Iain Shipp, they transformed into Hey Violet.
Eventually, Hey Violet caught the attention of 5 Seconds of Summer, who made them the first artists signed to their record label, Hi or Hey Records. They then toured with them in 2015 and 2016 in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Shortly after receiving a record deal, they released their debut EP, I Can Feel It. This EP emulated the epitome of rock-pop in 2015, lots of high-energy vocals and strong, raw instruments. For me, a girl who loved bands such as Paramore and Panic! At The Disco at that time, this music perfectly suited all of my wants as a listener.
With the release of their second EP, Brand New Moves, Hey Violet has shifted their musical direction to fit in more pop elements. They kept the smart, clever songwriting, but added more of an electronic edge, creating an overall amazing, better sound than that of their previous work. There’s more life, opinion, and sass in this EP than in I Can Feel It, making it more fun to listen to as well as catchier.
Despite the big difference in sound between the two records, they both landed in the No. 1 spot on iTunes in five countries. They also won the “Next Big Thing” Teen Choice Award in 2016.
After the success of Brand New Moves, they released their first album, From The Outside, which is their best work to date. It’s an album filled with jam-worthy, empowering songs about navigating love and life as a young adult. “Guys My Age,” one of the singles off the album, was quite successful, nabbing a spot in the top 20 at many radio stations and being named one of the best songs of 2016 by The New York Times. They’ve performed the song on The Late Show with James Corden and Late Night with Seth Meyers.
“Break My Heart” and “Hoodie” were also quite popular songs as well, with “Break My Heart” reaching into the top 40 chart. In spring 2017, Hey Violet played a sold out tour around the U.S. and Europe to promote From The Outside.
Check out their hit single “Guys My Age” below:
