An Interview With Denver’s Own Alternative Punk Band HRZN
Going on their first tour, HRZN is an alternative-punk band based out of Denver, Colorado, featuring the musical stylings of lead vocalist Morgan Elizabeth (She/They), with Julian Argabrite (He/Him) on guitar/ unclean vocals, Craig Pappas (He/Him) playing guitar contributing with backing vocals, Brandon Lee (He/Him) rocking out on bass, with Patrick Pinawin (He/Him) is amazing us on the drums.
HRZN took some time to talk with OFM more about the debut tour, their goals, fears, hopes, and past experiences with LGBTQ youth that impacted the entire band.
OFM: Tell us about your upcoming tour!! What are you most excited, or nervous about?
We are both so incredibly excited and also terrified. I think some of us are only excited, while some of us are more nervous than others. It’s our first tour, and for almost all of us, this is our first band as well. So this is the first time most of us will be on the road in this capacity, and are going to be going through this experience. I honestly don’t think any of us would want to do this experience with anyone else, though. To be able to go to some of the country’s most interesting cities, seeing places we never had before, playing alongside some other amazing artists, and doing it all alongside your best friends is amazing.
What are you hoping to accomplish with your tour? What are your goals?
Honestly, our biggest goal is to just meet with people. We have some listeners in these cities we’ve never had the honor of meeting, and getting the chance to meet and get to know them is going to be invaluable. We just hope that at the end of the day, the people coming out to these shows feels uplifted, and maybe learns a new song that they love!
What connection does HRZN have with the LGBTQ community?
Our lead vocalist, Morgan, is a non-binary femme! Two members identify as bi/pansexual as well!
Do you have any concerns about the tour or how the public will view, respond, or react to the tour?
So far, everyone has been so outstandingly supportive of our tour! It’s always a little scary going to new places with members of the band openly out, or POC, and how people will respond when they see a genre they love done by people that maybe they’re not used to associating the genre with, but we also know all of the places we’re going to are amazing, and inclusive, and that even if we were going to the smallest towns in the most obscure places, there are people out there that would need to see people just like them maybe doing the things that they love, too.
In the past, your HRZN partnered with the Center on Colfax and Rainbow Alley to provide LGBTQ+ youth with a supportive and welcoming environment to learn about and experiment with music and instruments. Why was that something your band wanted to offer?
Oh my goodness, yes! That was seriously one of the coolest experiences we’ve ever had. Not just as a band, but for any of us just as people. Being able to connect with LGBTQ+ youth and get to know them and teach them something new was an experience that I don’t think any of us are ever going to forget doing. We were so passionate about offering this experience because we wanted to provide something that a lot of us never got to experience as kids. I mean, even just the program that The Center offers is something that absolutely wasn’t around when we were kids. We were just on the cusp of growing up where being a member of the LGBTQ+ community was still taboo. I know myself, personally (Morgan), experienced severe bullying as a child and teen because of being one of the only out individuals in my schools. So to see LGBTQ+ youth get to have a safe space to connect with people like them and learn about music was amazing.
How did that experience impact your band?
I don’t think it’ll ever be something that we forget. And hopefully we can just continue to be a positive and helpful force for LGTBQ+ youth.
Anything specific you learned or noticed/ stood out to you from that experience?
I know that we all got the opportunity to talk to everyone in the camp, and then we ended up spacing out and breaking into different groups. We talked about songwriting, about playing the drums, about playing the guitar, and there were different kids that were interested in different things. We all got to connect with people that were really genuinely interested in what we had to say. We got to hear some songs from some of the kids that they had been working on, and it was beautiful. One of the older kids ended up getting into playing bass after talking to Brandon about it, we’ve had the honor of staying connected via social media and get to see their progression. Honestly, the biggest thing that stood out to us was just how happy all of the kids were, and how supportive all of their parents were.
Would you do something like that again in the future?
It would be a dream, honestly! That’s why we make our music, why we want to keep doing what we’re doing. We want to try and connect with people and make an impact.
What makes your band different?
I wouldn’t say there’s anything absolutely outstandingly different in our actual music as far as talent goes, but I’d like to say we’re different because of just HOW MUCH we all care about what we’re doing and how much we love it.
What are HRNZ’s inspirations?
I think we all just really care about each other and really love music. At the end of the day, we all just want what’s best for each other, and to make a difference with the thing we love the most.
What has been the most difficult part of orchestrating the tour?
Honestly, the hardest part was just securing venues in certain cities. We learned that for a lot of places, you need to book out REALLY FAR. Morgan started booking our tour in February, and even for June dates, a lot of venues were already taken. But it’s a good learning experience anyway, especially for this being our first go!
What has been the most fun, or most enjoyable part thus far?
Really all of it has been. I know that seems like a copout, but it really has been just the most amazing experience, and we haven’t even left yet! If I had to single out one thing, I would definitely say meeting and interacting with all of the new bands we’ve met, who we’ll be having the honor of meeting in person and sharing these stages with!
What are you hoping to take away from this experience?
If we end up coming home just having put a couple of smiles on people’s faces, we’ll consider that a major win.
Is there anything else you would like to tell readers and listeners?
We just released a new single, Wonderland, that came out on April 28th, and we may or may not have another one coming out before we head out on tour. *wink*
Where can we listen to HRZN?
Anywhere! Spotify, Apple Music, and our website! Anywhere music can be streamed, you can find us!
Stay up-to-date and connect with HRZN by following the band on Facebook, Instagram, or by visiting their official website, www.hrznband.com
Photo courtesy of HRZN
