By Kreig Marks, July 2024

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TRR: Could you tell us about how your band formed and what inspired you to start making music together?

Counter: First rough demos started during Covid shutdown - late 2020 into 2021. The band was formed by Seth messing with song ideas and working with a local music professional to finish them. In 2021 Amy joined on vocals and the first singles were tracked. Later that year and into early 2022 - Mike, Eli and Travis came on board creating the full band. First inspirations came from wanting to initially write music for our local church but quickly realized the songs were much too heavy and hard rocking and worked better in the regional original rock scene for a broader audience.

 

TRR: What would you say sets your music apart from other emerging rock bands today?

 

Counter: We would probably say our music is a bit more hook driven than others with dominant clean soaring vocals - plus we don’t do any screaming. Lyrically, our songs offer powerful uplifting messages of hope, love and mercy that typically take a few listens to catch the true meaning - like to have our listeners dive deeper to discover what they are about.

 

TRR: How would you describe your band's sound and style? Are there any specific artists or bands that have influenced your music?

 

Counter: We sometimes describe our sound as “sugarcore” because we combine metalcore style distorted downtuned guitars with hook-laden, pop-leaning vocal melodies. We are very much vocal driven and love catchy hooks. Individually, we all have our own styles we enjoy. Songwriting influences come from what’s going on with female-fronted rock across Europe and Australia - bands such as Dream State, The Beautiful Monument, Yours Truly, Ivy Crown, South Haven and others. Stateside - our influences include bands like Lacey Sturm / Flyleaf, Ignescent and Eyes Set to Kill. 

 

TRR: What has been the biggest challenge your band has faced so far, and how did you overcome it?

 

Counter: One of the biggest challenges was getting shows set up - especially as a new band that is not cover oriented. We still work at setting things up - but have had some success by networking as much as possible with other local bands to join in their rock/metal shows then offering them to be a part of our shows. We have also been really lucky getting invites into some great festivals in our region which we try help bands get on that we know and respect.

 

TRR: Can you share a memorable moment from one of your performances or recording sessions that stands out to you?

 

Counter: Probably one of our most memorable was hitting the stage at the Brown Mountain Lights Music Festival in front of a solid crowd last October. It was great because the event is held in perfect weather outside on the Morganton Main Stage on the downtown square plus it is our hometown and the bands that were a part of it were all diverse and top notch from around the region. We are excited to be invited back again this October 26 - really a unique event.

 

TRR: How do you approach songwriting as a band? Is it a collaborative process, or does each member contribute individually?

 

Counter: Typically songs start with demos that Seth works on - sometimes by himself or with other collaborators - then show that to the entire band who each puts their own style on their parts. We sometimes have additional audio elements in our recordings you won’t always hear live - definitely bit more raw live.

 

TRR: What are your short-term and long-term goals as a band? Where do you see yourselves in the next few years?

 

Counter: For now really enjoying playing out around the region, tracking singles and starting to play more shows a little farther away and in nearby states (Thanks so much Mayhem at the Mountain!!) We also are putting on our own summer music festival this August 24 called Breaking Darkness Music Fest (featuring Seventh Day Slumber) we hope to have again next year with even more bands and hope to build it up bigger and better.