Unsigned Spotlight: HopeFool
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Dylan Kortz - guitar
Daniel Steinschreiber - bass
Chris Campagna - drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to HopeFool? How long has the band been around?
HopeFool has been a band since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Chris) - I was in a metalcore band called Casket of Cassandra from California and relocated to Texas with them 8 years ago. Casket broke up about 5 years ago and after taking a 4 year hiatus, I realized music was missing from my life and started gathering musician friends to form what is now HopeFool.
(Dylan) I’ve been in the music scene (multiple bands, multiple tours.) over the last 10 years and
Daniel has been in a few local San Francisco punk bands before moving to Texas and forming HopeFool.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
(Chris) I thought of the name. Just kind of came to mind and the silly wordplay stuck with me. In life I am a huge optimist to the point where I can sometimes be a little naive so it just for me.
(Daniel) When Chris called me with the band name idea, it was before I had moved to Texas, but we knew I was moving and so we were brainstorming names. I at first was indifferent to the name, but as time went on and we started writing, the name became a working title that turned into our official name.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
(Chris) - Aside from our old vocalists writing all the lyrics and melodies, Dylan mostly writes everything instrumentally, with the help from Danny and i every now and then.
As the band name goes, our topics and themes have been related to life struggles and tribulations we all face, but viewed with hope for the future.
(Daniel) we’re horrible lyricists, all 3 of us, and only average singers (we should maybe throw a shout out to Michael and mention here that we’re looking for a vocalist.)
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
All - Even though we all have similar music interests, our tastes sometimes fall on opposite ends of the spectrum creating the conundrum that is HopeFool. But some of our biggest inspirations are as follows; The Color Morale, Thrice, Movements, Slaves, Thousand Below, Awake at Last, Architects, Balance and Composure, Norma Jean, At the Drive In, Cursive, Emery.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
(Dylan) not necessarily. We’ve all been playing music for a while now. So for Chris and Danny, it only made sense to start a band. Due to the start of the pandemic, there wasn't much else to do.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
(Dylan) pre-show ritual for me is to have 2-3 beers to loosen up and I always stretch before I get on stage.
(Chris) Just getting on stage and rocking out! Maybe take a shot!
(Daniel) I like to move a lot, so i like to scope my spot on stage and plan ahead where my limits of movement are.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
(Dylan) For me, and I imagine for the rest of the band it would probably be the number of streams in such a short amount of time. We are a fairly new band. just barely a year old. You wouldn't guess that from our Spotify page. When our song ‘The New Age’ Hit 100k on Spotify, We were beyond excited and so proud.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
(Chris) There are so many… Of Mice & Men, Memphis May Fire both inspired me as a musician and I would love to share the stage with my idols
(Dylan) - I agree with Chris. I would absolutely love to tour With Of Mice And Men and MMF. Chris, Danny and I grew up on them both and they have been huge influences for us. Outside of that, our boys in VRSTY, SAUL and Fire From The Gods have been killing it lately and we would be honored to run with them.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
All - Thank you so much for the interview opportunity and stay posted for more HopeFool music in the future.