The Happy Fits
The Happy Fits | |
|---|---|
 The Happy Fits at the Troubadour in Los Angeles in 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Pittstown, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | Indie rock |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
| Website | https://www.thehappyfits.com/ |
The Happy Fits is an indie rock band from Pittstown, New Jersey.[1] The band was formed in 2016 by lead vocalist and cellist Calvin Langman and guitarist Ross Monteith, with the addition of Luke Davis as drummer following the release of their debut EP Awfully Apeelin'.[2] After finding unexpected success on Spotify, the band members dropped out of college to record their first full-length album, Concentrate. They have since completed multiple headlining tours and released a sophomore album, What Could Be Better, in 2020, and a third album, Under the Shade of Green, in 2022.
History
[edit]2016–2017: Band formation
[edit]The band members attended the same New Jersey high school, where Ross Monteith approached the classically-trained Calvin Langman to play music together. By the close of their senior year, they had written four songs. As a graduation present, Monteith's parents paid for them to record the songs that would make their first EP.[3] Two days before recording, they contacted Ross's older brother's friend, Luke Davis, to add a layer of percussion. Davis was attending William Paterson University, but he had graduated from their high school the year prior, described by his bandmates as the school's best drummer. Their band name was decided on the way to the studio.[4]
Their first EP, Awfully Apeelin', was released in August 2016. While Langman and Monteith were attending the University of Delaware,[5] "While You Fade Away" was listed on Spotify's Fresh Finds playlist, jumping from under 1,000 listens on the app to over 39,000.[6] It reached #5 on the Top 50 Viral USA Spotify chart three days later and #17 on the Spotify’s Top 50 Viral Global Charts.[4] Following the success of their EP, Davis joined as an official member, and in 2017, all three members dropped out of college to pursue the band full-time.[1]
2018–present: Concentrate and Under the Shade of Green
[edit]In 2018, the band released their debut album, Concentrate.[1]
In February 2020, the band finished recording their second album and set out on a tour that was quickly cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, the band focused on their social media presence, with weekly livestreams on YouTube.[7] In August 2020, they released their second album, What Could Be Better. The album was named one of the ten best albums of the year by Fresh Air's Ken Tucker.[8]
On January 24th 2024, the band announced on their Instagram that founding member Ross Monteith would be leaving the band;[9] later that day, they announced Nicole Rosenbach and Raina Mullen as new full members of the band, having previously toured alongside Langman and Davis.[10]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Concentrate |
|
| What Could Be Better |
|
| Under the Shade of Green |
|
EPs
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Awfully Apeelin' |
|
Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Album/EP |
|---|---|---|
| "Right Through" | 2017 | — |
| "Another Try" | 2021 | Under the Shade of Green |
| "Changes" | 2022 | Under the Shade of Green |
| "Dance Alone" | 2022 | Under the Shade of Green |
Band Members
[edit]Current
- Calvin Langman – lead vocals, cello
- Luke Davis – backing vocals, drums
- Nicole Rosey - backing vocals, guitar
- Raina Mullen - backing vocals, guitar
Past
- Ross Monteith – vocals, guitars[15]
Timeline
Awards
[edit]- Makin Waves Band of the Year (2022)[16]
- Do You Ever Wonder Tour 2024 (UK/EU tour with Bears in Trees)
- Under the Shade of Green Tour 2023
- Across the Pond Tour 2022
- Under the Shade of Green Tour 2022
- WCBB Tour 2022
- What Could Be Better Tour 2021
- The Happy Fits Spring Tour 2020 (cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic)
- The Happy Fits (2019)
- Little Light Tour 2019 (as support for This Wild Life)
- The Happy Fits & Deal Casino (2019)[18]
- Eat Your Fruits Tour 2018
- The Happy Fits Spring Tour 2018[18]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Tucker, Ken (September 14, 2020). "The Happy Fits Deliver Fresh And Snappy Pop On 'What Could Be Better'". NPR. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Sterdan, Darryl (September 4, 2020). "Now Hear This: The Happy Fits | What Could Be Better". Tinnitist. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ "Artist to Watch: The Happy Fits". www.34st.com. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ a b "Indie-Pop Trio THE HAPPY FITS Discuss Their Brand New Album, 'What Could Be Better', Their Upcoming US Tour and More! | All Access Music". May 19, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ "The Happy Fits – 1883 Magazine". June 24, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "An Awfully Apeelin' Story: Introducing The Happy Fits". Atwood Magazine. September 26, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ "New Noise: The Happy Fits". Wonderland. October 5, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Tucker, Ken (December 15, 2020). "A Year Like No Other: Ken Tucker Picks 10 Albums That Made An Art Of Escapism". NPR.
- ^ "thehappyfits on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ "thehappyfits on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ Concentrate by The Happy Fits, June 15, 2018, retrieved July 15, 2022
- ^ https://music.apple.com/us/album/what-could-be-better/1537087826
- ^ Under the Shade of Green by The Happy Fits, August 26, 2022, retrieved September 6, 2022
- ^ Too Late by The Happy Fits, August 27, 2016, retrieved July 15, 2022
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ "Makin Waves with The Happy Fits: 2022 Makin Waves Band of the Year". NewJerseyStage.com. December 12, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
- ^ a b "The Official Site of The Happy Fits". March 18, 2018. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2023.