“Live music has so much potential for greatness,” expresses HRVRD vocalist Jesse Clasen. “To me, a studio recording is a snapshot of where a song is at that moment, and it should always continue to evolve and take on new perspectives. Live performances are opportunities to share something unique and beautiful with your audience…I’ve always admired the artists that let their songs blossom into something new and exciting even after they’ve been recorded.”
And while HRVRD’s performances let the band explore expanded artistic grounds, one simply cannot deny the power, quality and creativity found within the Charlotte, NC-based band’s recorded material that serves as their foundation. Founded in 2004 by guitarists Lee Herrera and Jason Shaw, the band progressively evolved into a quintet of brilliantly imaginative musicians, rounded out by drummer Tim Cossor, bassist Garrett Leister and the aforementioned hypnotic frontman, Jesse Clasen. Together the band, formerly known as Harvard, released their debut EP Animals in 2008 followed by the critically acclaimed full-length album The Inevitable and I less than a year later through Enjoy The Ride Records.
HRVRD also went on to release their self-produced album Interpretations in 2010, a five-track EP of reimagined versions of songs off of The Inevitable and I, followed by a year and a half of writing for their upcoming album. In January 2012, the band returned to Salad Days Studios in Baltimore, MD to reunite with renowned producer Brian McTernan (Circa Survive, Senses Fail), who had also produced The Inevitable and I. Clasen elaborates on their decision to work with McTernan again explaining, “We record our demos with the intention of listening to them more objectively in order to make them better; however, everyone gets attached to the way the demo sounds and so rarely do we ever make revisions…Working with Brian [McTernan] again makes everyone in the band more comfortable though and ready to make those revisions. It is an environment where everyone is ready to do what it takes to enhance the songs.” Shaw adds, “Brian is amazing to work with because he expects the best out of you and is going to reciprocate that ideal in his part of the recording process. He wants every song to have an identity, which is something I personally want in the music I play…it’s nice to work with someone who’s on the same page as you.”
On the new album, HRVRD’s haunting sound blends intricate and cinematic guitar riffs with dark, passionate lyrics and powerful, driving rhythms. Effortlessly encompassing the impressive technical qualities of underground progressive-rock and experimental outfits, while remaining accessible through honest, relatable lyrics, the fusion creates a full-bodied, dreamlike ambience filled with catchy, yet sonically sinister melodies. Clasen's ethereal voice defies genres and offers vast vocal range with a wide spectrum of stylistic tones that stand out as notable without overpowering the outfit’s more than capable instrumentations. Their true talent shines not only in their ability to perfectly juxtapose driving and atmospheric elements in a complimentary manner but also in their use of those musical elements to guide and balance the lyrical storytelling.
“The most important thing we kept in mind [on the new album] was a strict “less is more” rule,” Herrera notes. “In the end, I think the songs are more mature, more heartfelt and more honest, we used all of our experiences from the first record and tried to learn from them to make a better, shorter and more focused product.” Lyrically, the new album shares a journey of intense internal struggles of the ordinary man. “It’s about the tension between positive and negative perspectives on relationships, progression, religion, and science,” Clasen expounds. “And more personally, it’s me working out who and what I love, and why.” The band will release the sophomore, full-length album through Upstate NY-based independent label Equal Vision Records later this year, with the record’s release date and details yet to be revealed.
Members:
Jesse Clasen - Vocals
Lee Herrera - Guitar
Jason Shaw - Guitar
Garrett Leister - Bass
Tim Cossor - Drums
Black Creme
HRVRD Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Life rearranged
This is bigger than you
This is better
All that you give
Continues to live
This is bigger than you
I'll be the silent
Calm loving eyes
This is bigger than you
This is better
It was today
The strangest of days
This is bigger than you
This is better
With you
Better with you
So much better
The smile, the wave
The dirt above the grave
This is bigger than you
This is better
Was a harmless desire
Arousing the fire?
This is bigger than you
This is better
And I don't know why
I continue to hide
This is bigger than you
This is better
All that you give
Continues to live
This is bigger than you
This is better
Better
With you
So much better
With you
The lyrics in HRVRD's song "Black Creme" reflect on a transformative experience that is bigger than the individual. The song starts off with the singer acknowledging the changes in the world and in their life. They then express that whatever they give, it continues to live and that this is bigger than them, and ultimately better. The singer then speaks about being a silent, calm, loving eye and how this experience was strange but better with the person they are with. They describe a smile, a wave, and dirt above the grave, suggesting the possibility of death or rebirth. The singer questions whether a harmless desire was arousing a fire and why they continue to hide. The song ends with the repetition of "with you", emphasizing the importance of a transformative experience shared with someone else.
The lyrics of "Black Creme" speak to the idea that transformation occurs not only within the self but also in relation to others. The line "All that you give continues to live" suggests that the individual is not alone in their experience but that their actions affect others. The idea that this experience is bigger than the individual suggests that it is something universal that connects all people. The image of a smile and a wave, followed by the image of dirt above the grave, further emphasizes the transformative aspect of this experience as if something must die or come to an end for something new to be born.
Line by Line Meaning
When the world starts to change
As the world around us evolves and adapts,
Life rearranged
Our lives get altered and reorganized accordingly.
This is bigger than you
These changes have a much broader impact than just on one individual.
This is better
Despite the uneasy adjustments, the outcome is ultimately for the better.
All that you give
Whatever contribution is made,
Continues to live
Will continue to exist in some form.
I'll be the silent
I offer to be a quiet observer,
Calm loving eyes
Providing a serene and empathetic perspective.
It was today
Today was the day,
The strangest of days
Filled with odd and unexpected events.
With you
However, being in your presence,
Better with you
The experience is made more enjoyable and fulfilling.
So much better
In fact, it's significantly better.
The smile, the wave
A casual expression of greeting,
The dirt above the grave
Serving as a reminder of our mortality.
Was a harmless desire
The want and yearning was innocent,
Arousing the fire?
But could it have triggered something more intense?
And I don't know why
Confused and unsure,
I continue to hide
I still conceal and keep to myself.
Better
However,
With you
When I'm with you,
So much better
I feel much better and content.
Contributed by Andrew P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Don
What a BANGER of a song!
Bradley Showers
I remember hearing this on MTV’s The Real World: Portland episode 8 and finding this song. It’s a very smooth melancholy feeling
M R C
A true masterpiece.
Paulina Sosa
When the world starts to change
Life rearranged
This is bigger than you
This is better
All that you give
Continues to live
This is bigger than you
This is better
I'll be the silent
Calm loving eyes
This is bigger than you
This is better
It was today
The strangest of days
This is bigger than you
This is better
With you
Better with you
So much better
The smile, the wave
The dirt above the grave
This is bigger than you
This is better
Was a harmless desire
Arousing the fire?
This is bigger than you
This is better
And I don't know why
I continue to hide
This is bigger than you
This is better
All that you give
Continues to live
This is bigger than you
This is better
Better
With you
So much better
With you
❤
It's A Secret
Equal Vison, please put up "Read.Write" and "Setting The Fire" on youtube & other music/streaming platforms. I'd like to listen to them not just on the vinyl 🙏😅
Gordon Shumway
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Local Band Smokeout
Come back to us HRVRD, come back.......were begging
William Primrose
What’s the chance of a f.t.b.c. vinyl re-press ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ