New England has always served as a breeding ground for some of the most passionate and
heartfelt voices in hardcore. Featuring members of Verse and Defeater, Love Letter are the
latest powerhouse to join this esteemed lineage.
On New Year's Day 2017, Love Letter’s guitarist Jay Maas (Defeater) reached out to vocalist
Quinn Murphy (VERSE) about joining forces for a new project, planting seeds for what would
later become their upcoming debut record, ‘Everyone Wants Something Beautiful’. As longtime
friends, the question of writing music together had been more of a when than an if, as both
musicians have cut their teeth with some of the best bands in the New England hardcore scene.
Jay Maas has also produced countless records for other bands at Getaway Recordings in
Massachusetts, including Bane, Counterparts, Title Fight and more. After being behind the
scenes on so many quintessential records, Maas is back at the helm. “Having produced records
for two decades now I've had the chance to work with thousands of artists, I’m grateful that this
was my opportunity to pull together some of my favorite people who also happen to be
extremely talented musicians.”
Maas tapped fellow founding member of Defeater, Andrew Reitz, to play drums along with
guitarist Matthew Spence and fellow engineer and bassist Dave Alcan. The result is high-octane
instrumentation paired with Murphy’s poignant yet biting lyrics and vocals.
The debut LP’s first single “Misanthropic Holiday or Vacation” sounds like both warning and
indictment, exploring ways we are expected to deal with the human condition in modern society.
It seems to blur the lines of perseverance and begrudged surrender, crescendoing into a
cathartic release that makes one feel both possessed and furious. It’s hard to stay sitting by the
end of it.
There’s a notable freedom in the band’s songwriting, and their desire to push the limits of where
heartfelt, emotive and heavy music can go is apparent with every note and word. Matched by a
charged live show, Love Letter is sure to turn heads of fans of hardcore, post-hardcore,
screamo and beyond. Everyone Wants Something Beautiful is available for pre-order now.
Support: HeavyHex
