Happy Nothing set out to achieve one objective: Create music its members love making. The Lawrence, Kansas-based foursome, all longtime musicians, formed in 2018 with the goal of re-imagining late 80s new wave and shoegaze combined with early 90s indie rock.
Happy Nothing states its purpose: Happiness in a state of infinite questioning.
Former longtime professional musicians Ron Hayes, guitarist in the 90s indie/post-punk mainstay Kill Creek, and James Duft, frontman of early 2000s indie pop outfit Conner, reconnected years after working together as music promoters.
Ron and James had both recently suffered the deaths of their fathers, and they were each seeking ways to deal with the loss.
Both intimately acquainted with the emotional balm making music offers, they decided to get together to do what they love most. James and drummer Bryce Boley had collaborated on a number of projects, most notably Conner. Bryce was a natural fit to bring into the project. Bassist Jim Pillar had hung around the studio while Conner recorded, back when Jim was still a high school student.
All four share a love of late 80s dream pop, new wave and shoegaze and 90s indie and noise—The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Pavement. They naturally sunk into that sound, and found themselves making a mix of the two in a very instinctive way. The band continues to focus on making music for its own sake, sharing its anesthetic expressions through self-made recordings from Jim’s home studio and the occasional live performance.
credits
released January 11, 2019
Recorded by Happy Nothing
All songs by Happy Nothing
Mixed by Ed Rose
Mastered by Adam Boose
supported by 5 fans who also own “Happy Nothing EP”
what a precious band! Those words in the each song come from somewhere deep and they just resonate beautifully with well crafted pop tunes. Graveyard club is amazing. this album is timeless already. luc
supported by 5 fans who also own “Happy Nothing EP”
Two highly enjoyable alt-rock tracks that combine power and beauty with great results. The sound is sweet and the production is clean – I'm certainly up for more of this! Michael Reilly
Montreal psych-pop veterans sound as infectious and hypnotic as ever on their seventh LP, slinging jangly riffs and bright vocal harmonies. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 14, 2024
Hopscotching from jangle pop and post-hardcore to math rock and shoegaze, these Minnesota rockers have a gift for musical multitasking. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 29, 2024
Parisian band wed bright indie rock hooks à to animated social critiques, battling existential malaise with synths, riffs, and dry wit. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 14, 2024
supported by 5 fans who also own “Happy Nothing EP”
There is a good reason why this record is entitled "Collider" - wonderfully churned and hypnotic drum and vocal patterns, bubbling bass and shattering, crystalline guitars make for quite an acidically addictive concoction... waxmuse