riseup live presents: the early november & hellogoodbye

ABOUT HELLOGOODBYE

There’s a palpable commitment to self that permeates every Hellogoodbye album, a fearless headfirst dive into one’s own inspiration.

Where many bands who find success (“Here In Your Arms”, the first single from their debut record, is certified platinum) become beholden to the genre that first brought in their fanbase, Forrest Kline has always been more interested in following his own compass. The breezy ukulele folk-pop moments of debut album “Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!” evolved into joyous indie-punk on 2010’s “Would It Kill You?”. The band’s 3rd album “Everything is Debatable”, is a frenetic electro-dance anxiety practice in controlled chaos.

The changes Hellogoodbye make from record to record aren’t attempts to divert expectations, though they undoubtedly do. The title track of

“S’Only Natural” conjures up a celebratory vision of balloons falling from the ceiling. Illuminated by sweeping disco strings, the song grooves forward with unassuming confidence, like Meryl Streep sauntering back up to the podium to grab her third Oscar of the night. Each iteration gives Kline a chance to invite the listener into a whole new world, like an older sibling excitedly showing you a new band he just discovered.

Now, as the band prepares to embark on a massive celebration of their breakout debut LP, “Zombies! Vampires! Dinosaurs! Vampires!”, they have in their pockets another set of unpredictable pop gems to add to their 20 years of making the world a more sweetly beautiful & humanly random place. 

It’s like Forrest is telling you something reassuring you’ve always heard, but didn’t really believe until he said it. He’s talking you down after you just had the worst day at work, exuding such self-assuredness and positivity that you have no choice but to accept it as the truth.