Model/Actriz: The new face of heavy music is here
Model/Actriz: The new face of heavy music is here
Coming hot off the heels of an acclaimed debut, lead singer Cole Haden delves into origin stories, the influence of Lady Gaga, and his future.
Prior to the eagerly anticipated release of their first studio album, the gritty sounds of the Brooklyn-based punk band were heard in any basement that would take them.
Fast forward to the present—their steady rise finds them poised to command a sold-out audience at the Garrison, marking their largest venue yet on their current tour.
The band's ascent has been nothing short of a grassroots phenomenon. At the center of this whirlwind is the magnetic frontman, Cole Haden, whose stage presence has been described as nothing short of 'electric.'
This captivating allure caught the attention of discerning ears, echoing in the halls of major publications such as Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.
The resulting cascade of praise has cemented the band's status as a rising force in the indie music scene, garnering a substantial following among avid heavy music listeners, including myself.
Fortunately, I had the privilege of delving into the enigmatic world of Haden in an exclusive pre-show interview.
Amidst the loud chaos of fans anxiously anticipating the band, we settled into a dimly lit booth tucked away in the corner of the bar. With my phone poised to record every minute of our conversation, I began my exploration into the band's origins.
Haden's journey with his current bandmates occurred serendipitously when they stumbled on his solo performance in a Boston basement in early 2016.
"Soon after they sent me things, asking if I wanted to come in and see what we could make together," Haden shared, concerning his experience with the recruitment process.
He admitted he had primarily operated as a ‘one-man show’ until that point. Collaborating with the band marked a significant departure from this norm, as he felt not only invited but encouraged to be his authentic self.
"I'm not shy," he said, reflecting on the transformative nature of his new musical partnership. This collaboration was a revelation for someone accustomed to the solitude of solo projects.
What stood out was the band's explicit invitation for Haden to be himself, a vast departure from previous collaborations where he felt compelled to subdue aspects of his artistic identity.
"They weren't asking me to fill a hole, they were asking me to add a layer," he remarked, relating to the band's early requests.
In the realm of punk, a genre that has occasionally skewed towards a 'straight' orientation, I asked Haden whether this factor contributed to his previous reluctance to engage in collaborations.
"My struggle working within that sphere has never been that with my bandmates, it's always been with my perception of how I fit into the pantheon of heavy music."
He further emphasized that the band's foundation rested on equal efforts and emotional investment from each member, aiming to create a collective identity that reflected all of them equally. The collaborative process involved pushing boundaries and venturing into uncomfortable territory to achieve "individual pride and collective fulfillment."
Addressing the question of his long-term association with the band, Haden candidly disclosed a hiatus between 2018 and half of 2019, spanning a year and a half. He clarified that the decision to step away was not a reflection on his relationship with his bandmates, but rather a period of personal growth and to focus on individual projects.
"I learned how to feel confident in what I could bring to the table as a participant in the sphere of industrial music being made now."
As the conversation delved into Haden's musical journey, he traced his roots back to a background in musical theatre during his formative years.
Originating from a small, beach-side town in Southern Delaware, Haden sought outlets for his creativity wherever he could find them. Naturally this included playing Kylie Minogue guitar covers at the local coffee shop open mic. More notably, an eighth-grade outing to Lady Gaga's Monster Ball Tour with his father left an indelible mark.
"That Monster Ball Tour really tipped me off though, like now I'm seeing the bridge between theatre and music."
However, the most pivotal shift occurred when he acquired a laptop in high school, marking the inception of his solo music-making career. Wrestling with the absence of collaborative opportunities at the time, he found solace in creating his own musical narratives.
Haden reminisced about saving up to purchase Grimes' 2012 breakout album Visions, after being captivated by her performance on music radio show KEXP. Witnessing her independent, solo approach fueled his determination: "Oh, she's by herself surrounded by her machines. You don't need six people to do this. You can do this by yourself."
As our discussion shifted to the reception of Model/Actriz's work by major publications like Pitchfork and NME, Haden expressed a deep sense of pride in the band's journey.
He emphasized, "We don't make the music for those accolades, but we're very grateful and happy that we get to continue what we're doing." The recognition from publications like Pitchfork held a special resonance for Haden, as he acknowledged the impact that such reviews had on his musical journey.
"I don't think 'little Cole' would believe that he was here."
For Haden, the thought of his music impacting the lives of a younger generation is momentous. His positioning as a formidable force in the current day 'punk sphere' will surely signal the queer youth to follow suit.
After his response, an associate motioned for Haden to return backstage in preparation for the highly anticipated performance. I quickly packed up my things, thanked him for his time, and eagerly awaited for the man to tear the floor up.
After a few short minutes, the lights dimmed, voices quieted, and the slender mustached, ball-cap-wearing figure I just spoke to appeared on stage. The bass, guitar, and drums erupted with harsh industrial noise, as Haden's raw, raucous vocals filled the room. The crowd went absolutely wild.
In a mesmerizing display of theatrical athleticism, Haden held the audience spellbound, his performance a tour de force that, at one moment, brought spectators to their knees. The magnetic energy showcased on stage left a lasting impression on me, stirring a genuine curiosity about the next chapter for Model/Actriz.
This article is from Youthquaker Magazine, a print arts & culture publication pushing youth-driven journalism on untapped multidisciplinary subject matter.
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