It's officially 2017 (well almost three months in, but still) and I am ready to take this year on with my head held high and my arms wide open to new experiences. This is the year I graduate from high school, begin college, and write even more than I did before. I'm so excited for what this year has to offer and I can't wait to get started.
With that being said, it's time to continue my Tuesday Talent Talks with Taylor. Get ready for some new bands and artists that I've found happiness in and I hope you do too. To begin, let's talk about the female fronted punk band PVRIS.
Who is the artist?
PVRIS (pronounced "Paris" like the city in France) is a punkish rock band that is from Lowell, Massachusetts. There are currently three members of this band, including lead singer and rhythm guitarist Lyndsey Gunnulfsen (or Lynn Gunn), lead guitarist Alex Babinski, and bassist Brian MacDonald; all three contribute to playing keys.
Back in the day, the band was called Operation Guillotine and it consisted of five members. Once they went into the studio to record, their sound changed from metal to what it is now, which lead to ex-scream vocalist Kyle Anthony ultimately leaving the band.
After winning a contest and performing at a show during Warped Tour in 2013, the band signed to the label Tragic Hero. From here, they changed their name from "Paris" to "PVRIS" due to legal reasons. They went on tour as a supporting act and after that, drummer Brad Griffin left and the band became a trio.
Even more projects ensued and the band signed with Rise and Velocity Records and in June of 2014, they released a new music video for their new single "St. Patrick," and after several more single and music video releases, their debut album "White Noise" was released on November 4th, 2014.
As of lately, PVRIS has released at least two new tracks and finished their first American headlining tour, lasting from May to June of 2016.
When did I start liking the artist?
If I'm being completely honest, I had never heard of this band until I went to see Sleeping with Sirens and Pierce the Veil live in concert and they were the first opening band. I'll touch on that later, but I instantly fell in love with them once I heard their song "Fire." My friend and I were talking and they started playing this song, and we both just kind of stopped to listen and then we couldn't help but jam out. Immediately after the show, my friend and I went to their merch table and I purchased a signed poster, and once I got home, I began downloading all of their music. It was love at first listen.
Have I seen the artist live?
February 11, 2015 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
PVRIS has gone on lots of tours, including headlining, supporting, and being on the setlist for Warped Tour several times. In 2015, they went on tour with Sleeping with Sirens and Pierce the Veil during the second half of their U.S tour. The tour came to Pittsburgh for two nights in a row, and one of my really good friends and I were fortunate enough to go on the second night. I bought the tickets as a Christmas present for my friend, seeing as Pierce the Veil is one of her favorite bands and she had never been to a concert before. After this show, we both fell even further in love with Pierce the Veil and Sleeping with Sirens, and we also found love in PVRIS to the point where we obsessed over them for the longest time. It's been almost two years since we went to this concert, and now, whenever we listen to music together, we somehow find ourselves talking about it and PVRIS. I still get home from school and jam to PVRIS album at least once a week if I'm being honest. Also, I apologize for the lack of a picture. I typically tend to stay off of my phone during concerts so I can live in the moment.
What is my favorite song by the artist?
Although I feel obligated to say that "Fire" is my favorite song by PVRIS, considering it was the song that made me fall in love with them in the first place, it's not my favorite song at this exact moment. That honor belongs to "Holy," one of the lightest tracks I've ever heard from that band that soothes my soul but makes me want to rock out when it kicks back up.
Why do I like this artist?
I've mentioned this in a variety of these articles, but I'm going to say it again. I've been a fan of this genre of music since I started appreciating music as much as I do now. I've loved Skillet and Breaking Benjamin and Trapt since about fourth grade. This band and its music takes me back to the days when times were simpler and I was just discovering my love for music. In addition, I love seeing female fronted bands (like Against the Current, who I've already written about). Lynn's voice is so unique and I can't help but fall in love with it everytime I listen to it.
Final Thoughts
I really hate repeating myself, but I'm going to say the same thing about PVRIS that I did with Against the Current: this band is on the rise to start liking them now so you're ahead of the game. This band is so incredibly talented that it's only a matter of time before they become a name most everyone is familiar with. If anything, at least go out and see them live, because if that doesn't make you fall in love with them like it did for me, then I really don't know what will.
