Third studio album from New Jersey alt/indie-pop Happy Fits has been released. Under the green shade, is out everywhere now. In support of the new album, the band will hit the road this autumn and winter across the EU and UK, with dates in the US soon after with support from Daisy The Great and Phoneboy.
The highly anticipated third studio album, Under the green shade, is a snapshot of the past two years for each of the band’s three members and invites listeners to join them. However, in typical Happy Fits fashion, the band interweaves serious subject matter with inescapable hooks and melodies, radiant instrumentation and unmatched charm.
More than ever, the past two years have exposed colossal systemic failures around the world, and \Langman (lead vocals / electric cellist) says the album created space to better understand his role within it. “This album is how I’ve processed the trauma of the last two years, from the pandemic, to climate change, to the rise of fascism, to BLM, to finding my place in this broken world. Because not many have remain steadfast, I hope everyone finds something dark here to relate to.”
Monteith (guitarist/vocalist) adds that in addition to their processing, it provides a place of refuge, healing and cathartic release. “It ranges from minor anxieties to existential crises. It’s written as a sort of therapeutic way to release these emotions that many of us seem to have dealt with. It’s a reminder for us to stay positive, overcome bad habits and overcome our fears”.
This time, the band’s creative process on the album lasted almost six months within the walls of their Brooklyn studio. Together five days a week, they were able to bounce ideas around, work on demos and refine their sound like never before. Luke Davis (drums) says that in addition to giving the cello a spotlight in a new way, the band has evolved its sound to fit who they are today. “From catchy melodies to crazy guitar riffs and cello parts, we’ve expanded our sound in a way that wouldn’t have been possible for us in the past. While we still have the feel of The Happy Fits, many of these songs have many driven instrumental melodies”.
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After the pandemic hit, Langman, like many others, struggled deeply with both dealing with the reality of moving back in with his parents and dealing with the problems within the relationships in his life. The track allows Langman to release any excess pain and negativity he’s been holding onto. Explaining what inspired the song, Langman explains: “There was this general feeling of disappointment that I had for someone I used to really respect. Everyone has their empathic limits and when you reach yours and you have to cut a person off, it doesn’t feel right. however you slice it. I needed this song to channel all this negative energy so I wouldn’t let it get to my head.”
The latest single of Under the shadow of Green, “Little One” is a sweet ode to the band’s future children, inspired by English singer-songwriter Tom Rosenthal’s many songs dedicated to his daughter. “When I wrote the first draft,” Langman recalls, “there was the line, ‘with millions like us dear, let them give you what you need.’ I had this idea in my head that if something happened to me and I didn’t I could talk to my kids, the only thing I want them to know is that they belong and there are so many people out there willing to help others.” Ultimately it’s a track that encourages one to feel all they need to feel, to embrace vulnerability.
While a bright future can be hard to fathom, the track chorus finds solace in uncertainty. “Baby, we’re only on the face of the earth. / We’re floating in space with millions like us, baby / You belong.”
It matches The Happy Fits’ purpose for their live show and the messages of their music – the desire to offer each other support and a place to belong. Monteith adds, “We’re all navigating the world in our own ways, but at the end of the day we all end up in the same place. This song asks, ‘If that’s the case, why aren’t we there for each other?’
The previous song, “Around And Around” along with his exciting pineapple cartel band music video, is a song that captures the feeling of life being an endless loop with its mesmerizing circular guitar riff. Previous singles include the irresistible “Dance Alone” and its accompanying home run video shot at Cameo Villa, here, and the lead single, “Changes,” came along with a quirky video.
After overwhelming attendance at both Napa’s BottleRock Festival and Milwaukee’s Summerfest, the band will be heading across the pond to Europe and the UK this fall. Happy Fits will hit Glasgow, UK on October 17th, Manchester and London the following two days and wrap up in Berlin on October 22nd. Happy Fits’ following has grown steadily and significantly over the past year with over 1.8 million monthly listeners on Spotify, 28.4k subscribers on YouTube and 9.7 million views on YouTube. The What Could Better 2021 tour saw over 20 sold out dates from LA to NYC.
Shortly after crossing the pond, the trio return to embark on a lengthy tour through November and mid-December, spanning the East, West and South of the US with support from rising pop artist Daisy The Great and indie rockers Phoneboy. . Kicking off in Hamden, CT on November 9th, the band will head to the Midwest, then across the West including three dates in California and the South including three dates in Texas, before wrapping up in Philadelphia, PA on December 18th. Due to popular demand, a second show in Washington DC was added on December 14th. Find a full list of dates below, with tickets on sale now here.
Happy Fits Tour under the green shade: Fall/Winter 2022
with Daisy The Great & Phoneboy
October 17 – Glasgow, UK – Attic
October 18 – Manchester, UK – Night and Day
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October 19 – London, UK – Colors
October 22 – Berlin, DE – Pratchwerk
November 9 – Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom
November 11 – Washington, DC – Union Stage (SOLD OUT)
November 12 – Pittsburgh, PA – Spirit Hall
November 13 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall*
November 15 – Detroit, MI – The Club
November 16 – Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe
November 18 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall
November 19 – Chicago, IL – Metro
November 20 – Minneapolis, MN – First Ave
November 22 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall
November 23 – Salt Lake City, UT – Complex
November 25 – Portland, OR – Ballroom of Wonders
November 26 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
November 29 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall
November 30 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
December 1 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda
December 5 – Dallas, TX – Tree
December 6 – Austin, TX – Scoot Inn
December 7 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
December 9 – Orlando, FL – Plaza Live
December 10 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
December 11 – Nashville, TN – Basement East
December 13 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
December 14 – Washington, DC – Union Stage
December 16 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
December 17 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
December 18 – Philadelphia, PA – TLA*
* saw Daisy The Great
Artwork credit: Manny Carbajal, Calvin Langman, Liza Farrell