Please list all band members and their roles in band:
Patrick Ramsey: Vocals, guitar, piano, composition
Chris Rhine: Bass, lyrics
Zach Williams: Drums
Were you a part of any other musical projects before Angelhead? How long have you been a band?
We have all played in various other bands over the years. Patrick and I (Chris) were involved with another short-lived band that morphed into what would become Angelhead over time. We started writing what would come to comprise Polarity around 2012/ 2013, and started playing under the name Angelhead in 2015. We've had a couple members come and go, but it's been the three of us for about two years now.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and how do you think these topics will change over time?
Our songwriting typically goes through several filters and interpretations before reaching its endpoint. More-often than not, I (Chris) will bring lyrics to Patrick, be it a full song or not. Intrinsically, he almost-always catches the vibe right away. From there, it's just about seeing what we can do with each song, and exploring all possibilities.
Thematically, all of the songs on Polarity share a common message of hope or steadfastness in the face of struggle, all-the-while hoping to, one day, find The New Perspective. We have all found comfort and solace in our darkest times in our favorite songs, and as a band, we feel compelled and obligated to do our best to write songs that may inspire or comfort others experiencing their own dark times.
What artists are currently inspiring the music that you are making?
Patrick: Stuff all across the board. From Claude Debussy to Against Me!; Neu! to Zeppelin, and always MBV.
Chris: I’ve been drawing inspiration from artists like Dave Hause, The Gaslight Anthem, and Frank Turner; looking for ways to communicate deeply personal thoughts and feelings in a more-widely-relatable way; trying to do more storytelling.
Zach: I never stop spinning Thrice. But Manchester Orchestra’s new album is great. The Early November. And, Brand New just put out, in my opinion, and many other people’s opinion, the album of the year.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start making music?
Patrick: Warped Tour 2006, seeing Underoath live for the first time. They're a band that's remained as innovative as they have impressive and inspirational. And learning Bush and Nirvana songs on guitar at 13, and starting to play those songs with my friend who played drums.
Chris: The movie Pure Country starring George Strait as well as his album by the same name, which served as the soundtrack. It was the first album that I was able to sing front-to-back, and the story of him leaving the glitz and glamor of the big-production country music world for something more simple and authentic has always resonated with me; even at such an early age.
And I think we all have a moment at a local show as a kid that holds reverence in our memories.
Zach: Wilco at LouFest several years back. They completely changed the way I thought about writing and playing music.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, fun pre-show rituals, etc.?
Patrick: I just always try to get in the right headspace. Playing live is the one place I don't have to put on a show. Because in that moment, it's the only thing that matters. It's not a performance, it's my life.
Chris: I normally try to calm my mind and find a pleasant vibe with the room. It sounds quite hippie-like to say it like that. But I need to feel comfortable, and at ease. A couple of drinks usually helps.
Zach: I always stretch before each show. When we aren't playing shows, I'm up on a roof. I stay sore and tired. But you have to loosen up no matter.
What is your favorite tour story?
We recently went out to Denver for a show. It was the longest time that we have all spent in such close quarters for an extended period of time. The trip was a lot of fun. We spent a couple days in the mountains and enjoying all the Colorado has to offer. It was a trip that definitely got us excited to get out on the road, play more shows, and make more memories.
What has been the biggest highlight of your music career so far?
Collectively, I’d say the release of Polarity has been the highlight of our careers. When this band began, we were just two people trying to write some songs in hopes of finding the right people to play them with. Along the way, it became the one thing we believed in the most. All the time in our bedrooms, practice spaces, or studio that have culminated in making connections with our fans that have made connections to our music. Seeing people get into what we're doing; be it singing along or simply bobbing their head, it lets us know that we're doing something right.
If you could tour with any artists, past or present, who would they be and why?
Patrick: My Bloody Valentine, for sure. The sheer mastery and madness of Kevin Shields would be insane to witness live every night.
Chris: I'd currently, probably, say Touché Amoré. I very much enjoy their brand of melodic hardcore punk, and Jeremy Bolm’s lyrics seem authentic and sincere emotion while looking for a resolve to it all. That's something I try to do with my own lyrics as well.
Zach: Thrice! I'd just be fangirling the whole time.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We would just like to thank anyone and everyone who has shown us any support over the last few years. We all feel really good about what we have and what we're doing and hope to be getting into the studio again here soon to get more music out there for everyone. But in the meantime, we will be playing new and newer and newest songs live, so be sure to come to a show when you get a chance.