Interview / VISTA

Photo by Holly Turner

I see that you have a single called Eat ( I must) that came out recently. How does it feel speaking on such an important subject? Was this difficult to write about?

Hope: It was, but it was necessary. The words fell out easily because they’ve been trapped in my head for so long. I finally feel like I can breathe comfortably again; it’s been quite some time since I’ve been able to. I can breathe, and that’s exhilarating.

Greg: Hope is super brave for taking this one on. On the music end of stuff - it was super cool to have some instrumentals I was writing have a much greater purpose. I love that idea.

You’re coming into your 4th year being a band together— How do you feel that your sound has evolved as a band over the years? 

Hope: I didn’t even realize that it’s been that long. We continue to evolve with every release -  that’s always the goal. We want each to be significantly more impactful than the last. Together, we aim to keep writing our own rules and bending genre boundaries; those are no longer self-imposed.

Greg: We definitely are always trying to just reinvent ourselves within our own vision. Trying to step out of our own box, but still stay true to ourselves. It’s a tough balance but it’s something we’ve been pretty good at doing.

Where do you see the band and your sound in another 4 years? 

Hope: I hope we’re still continuing to write our own sonic rules. Touring in other countries. Writing music that others can find themselves in. This isn’t a train I want to stop.

Greg: I honestly have no idea what we’ll sound like. I would still like to use a guitar sometimes, haha. I would love to be touring all over and having a solid fan base all over the world, that’s the dream!

What was your favorite show you’ve ever done? 

Hope: Lancaster, PA last year with Set It Off at the Chameleon Club. That show was wild. The crowd was so excited about  the show and we were able to feed off of that electric energy. I don’t think that’s a night I’ll ever be able to forget.

Greg: That show and Warped Tour was pretty sick!

What's a non-profit or cause you're passionate about?

Hope: American Cancer Society. A few years back, I released a charity single that I donated all of the earnings from to ACS in my father’s name. I am passionate about cancer research; I truly believe a cure for cancer exists somewhere on this earth, and I look forward to the day where we are able to see it discovered.

Greg: Anything that goes to environmental conservation/wildlife. Our place on this earth is not guaranteed. Climate change and the decline of life on this planet is a very real issue that we need to tackle NOW.

What was your first live show as a band like vs your current one?

Hope: My first with a band was while I was still a solo artist; it was in May 2015 at Voltage Lounge in Philly, playing with some old friends. That show was a damn mess. I was so anxious that during the first line of the first song, I started dry heaving on stage. I sprinted off the stage and pretended like I had really bad allergies; such humiliation, hahahaha. It’s wild to see what’s evolved since then; I am obsessed with visible evolution. Now with VISTA, we strive to emit as much energy as we can, so the audience can find a place of comfort with us.

Greg: Oh man. I think we definitely think we’ve improved miles since then, having a more streamlined show stuff all figured out to a T. It’s kind of crazy to think about how far I’ve come playing shows all these years.

What's something you'd like to say to someone just getting started in the music industry?

Hope: Research. Don’t hesitate to get behind your computer and read articles, search for things you want to know more about. Go to local shows and build connections with people there. Ask questions. Don’t allow anyone to make you feel like you cannot ask questions.

Greg: Make sure you enjoy what you’re doing and what you’re creating/working on. That is where all your hope will come from. Work on your craft so hard that you can’t help but believe in it.