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
What We Had
HRVRD Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'What We Had' by these artists:
AREZRA I don't wanna know what its like to lose you 365…
Beach Boii I find myself thinking bout you and what we had 2…
Break. I'm having the same dreams again I'm resting in the same…
Dana Gavanski Love brings a light Carried off in the middle of…
Devy (Nigga why the fuck you ain't answering the phone) (After ev…
Dylan Dunlap (Ooh, ooh) There's a reason why I never drink a Double sho…
Forgotten. Emotional release Love has ceased Never at peace You never l…
Foxa Now you wanna go and make me feel bad Now you…
gavn! Somebody else, somebody has been Breaking your heart, it's i…
Handsome Furs It's cold a plain diamond nobody's here, just empty space …
Harvard There's a suit in the basement, boy A dress in your…
Isabella Kensington I'm hoping you can see the way, Things will start…
Justin Hines I faded out, Like so many before And I was your…
KB Mike Do you still think about the memories, oh Of what we…
Miel-Music (I really did) (Yeah I really did) (For real, yeah for real)…
Nado 8 I remember when you said you needed space But I recall…
Pacific Is this what you want No words at all Silent but sure…
Roachford & Beverley Knight Acting like strangers, like We don′t remember, remember who …
Sody It's like the t-shirt that I'm never gonna wear again But…
Sophie Reynolds I have a habit of dwelling on the past Cause I…
Sulene Black snow Blade caps and mistletoe I wait with you Dark pa…
T.B.R. Baby look at all the scars you left Telling me you'll…
Tessie I took all your shirts out of my dresser Took all…
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
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sam kuramoto
to be perfectly honest, i could write an essay in its entirety about this song. it holds so much emotion and memories within it that sometimes i refuse to listen to it when i pops up on my playlist. it has the power to drive me to tears on the happiest of days. i’ve spent much time mulling over the lyrics and trying to decide what they mean to me, and how they relate to my life. there’s not a lot of songs that i consider to be perfect, but this is one of them. i found it during a turbulent time of my life and it slowed me down to take in the moment. i am forever reverent to this absolute work of art.
Thomas Greenhalgh
This is one of my favourite songs. The emotion is beyond anything I can describe. Beautiful in every way. You are very much missed.
frylocdub
Thomas Greenhalgh they broke up for sure?
Christina D.
"I am your star. I am your star." I feel that line every time.
E-j AC
Almost year 2019 but still one of my favourite! Very similar to 'I will not change by Flood of Red'
Wingsaber
damn that band is awesome aswell. i know its late but thanks for the recommendation!
Steph Barber
It turns me on to hear your song playin. So fucking intimate. As a singer and lyricist and musician I recognize this song - and the entire album - as a bonafide masterpiece. Best post rock band right now. So underrated. Makes me feel things I felt years ago, yesterday and best of all, it makes me feel things I've never felt before. Can not wait to see them on Sunday at don pedros
Jade Boyce
how incredible the emotion within this song........i love to just sit and get taken away by this ....keep it up guys....MUSIC ARE WHAT FEELINGS SOUND LIKE!!!
Gabriana Hart
I think maybe it's the kind of feeling both this band and Circa give to the listener. I know there's a certain kind of feeling I've left with after listening to both this band and Circa Survive that I find intoxicating.
Nyfancam01
amazing band. loved them since about 06.