HRVRD (earlier: Harvard) was a post-hardcore/experimental rock band from Ch… Read Full Bio ↴HRVRD (earlier: Harvard) was a post-hardcore/experimental rock band from Charlotte, North Carolina, United States.
“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
“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
The Earth
HRVRD Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'The Earth' by these artists:
A.L.X. Funk upon a time In the days of vanglorious The tri-dimensio…
Angelika & Demons It is a land where we live the sinful life Lost…
Belasco dear friend of mine we're not so young our simple lives h…
Bobby & Josie Earth angel, earth angel Will you be mine My darling dear Lo…
Carls Shouts Out Planit Earf Music Shouts Out Planet Earth Music …
Christopher Quezada Hands reach through the shadows I went and followed you Ther…
Color Me Badd When I was lost, I could not see all the…
Deftones Can you explain to me how You're so evil, how? It's too…
Esqarial The meadows' green, the flowers' smell The sun…
Harvard What if I told you the truth? That the world was…
II-L You are now synced? Umm There are many beliefs in my In my…
II-L amelie xoxo Hey On earth If I'm the last If I'm the last (Yuh) If I'm th…
Lisa Germano Enough Enough Enough How much Can I Accept Enough Remember m…
Mitch Rocket It's not too late for us It's not too late for…
Prana समुद्रवसने देवी पर्वतस्थानमंडले विष्णुपत्नी नमस्तुभ्यं पादस्…
Psychedelic Pussycat Club Nr. 2 Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth? Ooh, heaven is…
Shelf-Life And yet another crash landin' I need a little understandin' …
Sufjan Stevens Bryce Dessner Innocence was never lost Though it may have been insulted Ev…
The Chariot Wretched faces. This is nothing new to me, but still,…
Virtual Server (feat. Iris) Strangers on earth Life is a pilgrimage Death holds no fear …
We have lyrics for these tracks by HRVRD:
An End Weight She won't stop grinning now 'Til I hear the sound The church…
Black Creme When the world starts to change Life rearranged This is bi…
Cardboard Houses I watched you chase long days To spend nights with the…
Deliverance Lent, some common land Face what is coming now Light power,…
Flaming Creatures This wall between us, between our hearts Continues on, Thi…
French Girls to be the god of love, like sugar the spice of…
Futurist Progessive thoughts in our cars In our futures, unlimited s…
Ghost Take it from me, from me It's the territory In the leaves,…
Kids With Fake Guns See What you wanna see, what you wanna see Hear What you wan…
Memory Police Look at your angst And your aggression Look at your hate And…
New Information You are your eyes Your glow, you are your bones I don't…
Old Nature Remember this, or write it down Nothing lives that is not…
On With Disease I live in a town All the buildings falling down I live…
Timid Scripts However you see fit I never had any clear apprehension Witho…
We Never Shut Up About You Think I'm trapped in your birdcage I woke up on a…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
Buddy Daniel
I dont feel like HRVRD and Circa Survive should be compared it's music it isnt meant to be understood only felt. Both create beautiful songs that resonate with people in different ways it is no competition! Love and light!
Ivan Ramirez
Buddy Daniel well said brotha
Jozer Pichardo
Thannnkkyouuu som body gets the idea
Planet Winnebago
Agreed. On another note, wouldn't a Circa/HRVRD tour be so sick?!
onearmedpanda
Such a chill and amazing band. I love hearing this after a long day at work with a whiskey sour and writing in my poem book.
Sanele Mazibuko
onearmedpanda Sounds more like "Copying the lyrics for my poems".
Eldeo Soul
onearmedpanda yes!
Matt Stacey
there is literally nothing wrong with this album over a year later.
Matt K
Matt Stacey over 6 years later
Zachary Pierson
This album is still amazing..