INTERVIEW: FIRE | DRIVE

Photo Credit: Arienne Annati

Interview By: Emily Racanelli

           

                        “The only thing anyone knows inside and out in this life is what they have directly experienced. Taking influence from your own story is the way to make music that people will relate to.”

East Coast trio FIRE | DRIVE talk about their upcoming EP,  fan encounters, and being a

“nemesis” of Alexa San Román.

One of the biggest criticisms of the alternative music scene is that most of the bands are “oh so typical.” You have a group of guys adorning long hair and skinny jeans, singing/screaming their hearts out while riling up a mosh pit in front of them. Don’t get me wrong, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! However, this industry could use from fresh faces. Along with female-fronted powerhouse Paramore, other women warriors have begun to take to the stage in the likes of PVRIS and Love, Robot. Following in their footsteps is the all-female trio hailing from the East Coast (MA and PA to be exact), ready to challenge conformity and become a household name.

I was lucky enough to meet (and become fast friends) with Molly and Delaney of the band FIRE | DRIVE at a PVRIS concert in June. Standing next to me in the front row with our stomachs pressed into the stage, the two filled the intermissions by rapping the Twenty One Pilots song “Stressed Out” over the backing track playing to the audience. In that moment, I knew they were something special. What came next was an amazing set by PVRIS and an eventual exchange of information that allowed me to get the inside scoop on these incredible personalities and their passion for music!

           

Background

Please introduce yourselves and state your role in the band.

My name is Molly Millette. I'm 18 and from Walpole, Massachusetts! I play guitar and the computer.

Hey! I’m Delaney Morrissey. I’m 19, and I currently live in a few different places around New England. I’m the lead singer and I play the keys as well.

Hi, I’m Haley Senft and I’m 19. I live in Downingtown, Pennsylvania and go to school in NYC. I play guitar and sing.

When/How did you start getting engaged in music?

Molly: I've always enjoyed music. When I was in the 3rd grade, I remember my little brother got a guitar that he never used. I’d sneak into his room and try to play it--until he stepped in. Then I got my own guitar in 5th grade and the rest is history.

Delaney: As cliché as it is, music has always been a huge part of my life. I started playing guitar in middle school and picked it up again in high school. I didn’t really get into singing until I started college though!

Haley: My parents were always very into it. My mom actually went to see Jewel when I was in the womb and she likes to think that’s the reason for it. When I was little I used to hum whenever I was eating and the food was good. I also used to make parody music videos with my friends when I was younger. When I was 10 I got a guitar, started teaching myself, and never stopped.

Aside from music, what are your other passions?

Molly: I enjoy art and editing videos and stuff like that yo. I also watch a lot of stupid crime shows and Harry Potter, because it's the shit.

Delaney: I really like to draw! I also spend a lot of time writing poetry just for myself, and I’m in love with spending time outside, preferably in the woods.

Haley: I love skateboarding; I’ve been into it since I got my first board at 8 years old. I’ve taken breaks from it from time to time, but I always get back into it and I am [getting back into it] right now. I also love the outdoors: camping, fishing, hiking, all of it. When I was little, I practically lived in the woods.

Molly: Wait, I like the woods too...

How did you meet?

Molly: Delaney and I actually met through my girlfriend at the time. No one really knows where Haley came from, she just kinda popped up. I vividly remember when Haley sent us videos/clips of her songs or playing guitar or whatever. Delaney and I were together and we both looked at each other and our jaws were on the floor--we just knew she was that missing piece.

Delaney: Confirmed.

Haley: Delaney and I actually met at a We Are The In Crowd show in NYC and became fast friends. Then I met Molly over twitter through mutual friends.

When/Why did you decide to form a band? (A lot of artists have that “moment” at a show where they realize that they want to become musicians, was there a similar experience?)

Molly: I've wanted to be in a band since 5th grade; music has always been very important to me. There hasn't been a specific moment for me, but every concert I've been to has had a pretty big impact on me. Usually, every time I get out of a venue I'm like "Aw shit son, I wanna do that!!"

Delaney: Like Molly, I’ve wanted to be in a band for a while, but I definitely had this moment when I saw my first Paramore show! They’ve been my favorite band since late 2008/early 2009-ish, and when I got to see them live for the first time it was really eye-opening for me, and it was my first real “Oh shit, I need to be up there someday” moment.

Haley: Ever since I started playing guitar I knew I wanted to play music [in a band]. I actually had a friend who I tried to start a duo with when we were 12. It didn’t work out because I moved to another country! But like Delaney, my main and primary influence was Paramore. They were the first band I really got into when I was figuring out the music I liked for myself. After seeing them live I thought, “I know for sure that what I want to do, I want to feel what they are feeling on stage and be able to make people feel what I’m feeling down here in the crowd.”

Are your families supportive of the band?

Molly: My family is "supportive" but they're treating it like a phase.

Delaney: My family is supportive, although I’m not entirely sure they all realize how serious we are about doing this full-time someday.

Haley: My family is also supportive, but they definitely always hound on me like “Yeah, but make sure you finish school and know what’s truly important.” Like Delaney said, I don’t think my parents realize how serious we are either.

Music

What target group are you primarily trying to acquire as a fan base?

Molly: We don't really have a target group! I think we all agreed that we just want to connect with people. If our music can help in any way, then I'm happy.

Delaney: I think the markings of a truly successful band is to be able to have people from all different walks of life be able to connect to and enjoy your music. But like Molly said, if we can reach one person and make their life a little better, I’d be happy.

Haley: I couldn’t say it any better than that.

What has been your biggest challenge as a band, so far?

Molly: Our biggest challenge...For me, it was breaking my thumb. We were out of commission for a few months and it was super frustrating because we were literally a day away from starting to record our EP and then we had to cancel.

Delaney: Yeah, Molly’s broken thumb was definitely a buzzkill. Other than that, we haven’t had a lot of trouble!

Haley: I would say the same, though I joined the band shortly after it happened.

How did you come up with the name FIRE | DRIVE?

Molly: FIRE|DRIVE...So Delaney and I started the band off of the notion of incorporating [the bands] PVRIS and Love, Robot into our name somehow. So I was tossing a ton of song titles and album names and stuff together and that was the best of the worst!

Delaney: “The best of the worst” is definitely an accurate phrase here.

Haley: I joined after the name was established, but I think it’s apparent that those two bands have been our biggest inspirations to really get this thing off the ground.

You’ve done a few covers of PVRIS and Paramore. Is it safe to say these are some of your biggest musical influences? Why?

Molly: Definitely! Love, Robot falls into that as well as Sink Swim. They all carry the same message and feeling in their music and as people. We've been lucky enough to have some major connections with [these band members] on a person to person basis and it's honestly amazing. It just really solidifies that message for me, you know?

Delaney: Yes absolutely! We have so many musical influences as a band, but PVRIS, Paramore, Love, Robot and Sink Swim are definitely some of the biggest.

Haley: Yeah, those 4 bands really have been our biggest influences as well as inspirations, and we’re fortunate enough to have been able to really connect with them personally. I think I speak for all of us when I say they’ve made a huge impact on our lives not only musically but also personally.

It’s obvious that you are huge fans of Alexa San Román. Would you say she is a major inspiration? why?

Molly: I wouldn't call myself a huge fan of ASR...Nemesis maybe? I feel like I'm Mr. Incredible and she's like...Syndrome, but with better hair! I'll give her that. But seriously, she's a great person and she's been super inspiring to me on many fronts. She's really great to us too! We are so annoying to her and Dane, [guitarist of Love, Robot/former vocalist of Sink Swim] but they just accept us with open arms every time we see them and seem to genuinely enjoy our presence, which is great because we look up to them a lot. They definitely serve as role models for us.

Delaney: The name of our band group chat is literally “FUCK ASR” and has been that way for quite a while.

Haley: She’s definitely something! Whenever we all see her it’s always a fun time. We usually all make fun of each other and stuff. No but for real, from very early on she has helped me with so much and in many different ways. I feel very fortunate that she’s a part of my life.

Any other artists/specific albums that serve as an inspiration?

Molly: This Wild Life! They were one of the bands whose set we saw when they were opening for someone and I remember we kept turning to each other going "we can so do that, this would be so easy for us, this is what we can do!" That was before we met Haley actually too. Also, Twenty One Pilots has served as an inspiration for me to know that we don't have to box ourselves into a genre.

Delaney: I think each of us have our own musical influences that are less mutual between us, in addition to the influences we share! For me, I listen to a lot of mewithoutYou, New Found Glory, What’s Eating Gilbert, Twenty One Pilots, Sara Bareilles, and a bunch more that definitely inspire me lyrically.

Haley: I listen to a lot of Twenty One Pilots, The Story So Far, City and Colour, Death Cab For Cutie, Brand New, Balance and Composure and bands like those.

After the PVRIS headlining show [held at NYC’s Webster Hall this past June], I met a girl who was totally fangirling over you guys and I actually had to talk her into meeting you because she was so nervous. What’s it like to be recognized to that extent?

Molly: That literally blew my mind! We've done shitty covers and tweeted enough stupid things to make us LOSE followers, so the fact that people seem to like that is insane!! Also, if she reads this, I am so sorry I was so awkward; I was so tired and I suck at conversations. One thing to know about Delaney, Haley, and I is that we're absolute idiots and if you come up and talk to us and wanna hang with us, we are so down for it. We love new friends!

Delaney: That was one of the first times Molly and I were recognized to that extent, and it was really amazing to know that there are people out there who have seen our covers and are excited to hear our original music. On the same note as Molly, if she’s reading this, we’re both extremely sorry at how awkward we were. Don’t be afraid to say hey next time you see us around and we’ll make it up to you!

Haley: That was literally the day where we started talking about me becoming a major part of this band. I wasn’t actually an announced member at the time but it was so cool to see how people recognized Molly and Delaney and I can’t believe how interested people are in what we’re trying to do here. Also, I’m awkward as hell but also friendly as hell so just like they said, never be afraid to say hi!

Given the band is not a full-time job yet, what else do you do?

Molly: We're all in school currently, but the band is definitely our number one priority. We all do a little work on the side to earn money for gear and such.

Delaney: I’m in school as a criminal justice major. I work as an office assistant during the school year and a camp counselor during the summer!

Haley: I’m in school as an arts and entertainment management major, and I’m working on getting a job secured for summers as well as one at school to earn money for gear and travel and such too.

Have you played any live shows yet? Are there any plans for a tour?

Molly: We haven't played anything but an open mic yet! That was back literally days after we picked a band name. We don't have any plans set in stone for a tour, but we definitely have some loose plans in the works!

Haley: Yeah, we’ve definitely talked about touring and what it would take to do that.

Bands you’d like to potentially get on the road with?

Molly: Obviously PVRIS and Love, Robot. I think, in my eyes, that's more from the standpoint of looking up to them and having our fanbase based off of theirs! Plus, they've all helped us a lot so it would be rad to share a tour with them. Also, I've looked up to Tonight Alive for quite some time so that would actually be awesome!

Delaney: I’d absolutely love to tour with New Found Glory! I’ve been introduced to a lot of new music from going to their shows (This Wild Life, Fireworks, etc.), and I’d be so down to tour with those guys.

Haley: I’d also love to tour with PVRIS and/or Love, Robot for the same reasons Molly said. I know we’d all have a lot of fun together. I also would like to tour with maybe Tonight Alive, or Now, Now, or Tegan and Sara. I love their music and look up to them and would love to get to know them better. From my experiences, they’re all hilarious!

Music is such a competitive industry. What is it about FIRE | DRIVE that makes you stand out from all the other bands coming up right now?

Molly: Delaney can answer this one for us because she’s smarter than me.

Delaney: There aren’t many all-girl bands in the spotlight right now, and I think that definitely gives us an edge compared to a lot of other bands out there! We have a really unique perspective (as does everyone else), but I think we have the ability to inspire younger women to get into music!

Haley: Basically what D said, and we’re very musically diverse. I’d say we’re formulating a sound but we definitely have a lot of different stuff and Molly and I actually are able to switch around between different instruments which we think will be pretty cool during shows.

You are currently unsigned but still have a pretty steady (and expanding) following. How do you promote yourselves?

Molly: Stupid tweets, bad spelling, crappy covers? I think we've been very particular in what we cover and release. We try to have it be stuff that's popular now but with our own spin on it, you know?

Delaney: We’re just trying to do things our own way right now, and I think people appreciate how up-front we are about our intentions. As a whole, we’re very down to earth, laid back people and just kind of go with the flow, and I think a lot of people identify with that. I like to think we’re just very real in the way we present ourselves because we never want it to seem like we’re any different than the people who listen to our covers and (soon) our [original] music.

Haley: Vandalism. We put our stickers everywhere!

EP

Where did your lyrical influence for the EP come from? Is there a certain band whose writing style you take from? A certain life experience that has led to songs?

Molly: For me, a lot of what I write is really personal. A lot of this EP is relationship-type stuff I was going through and hardships that happened in my life. We don't intentionally take or shape our songs off of bands but as the songs started to shape and the layers started to be added, you could definitely see all of our influences and the influence they've had on us.

Delaney: Yeah, I would absolutely agree with Molly on this one. We all take our lyrical influence directly from experiences we’ve had. The only thing anyone knows inside and out in this life is what they have directly experienced, and I think taking influence from your own story is the best way to make music that people will relate to.

Haley: Again, couldn’t have said it any better.

How would you describe the musical style of the EP to someone who has never heard of you guys/seen your videos before?

Molly: Hmm...I think this ties back to the inspiration thing. BECAUSE we don't want to put ourselves in a box, we can't really explain our band or music! If you listen to PVRIS, Paramore, Sink Swim, Twenty One Pilots or Love, Robot, I guess that serves as a gauge for people! If you mash that all up you get FIRE|DRIVE!

Where are you at in the recording process? Any idea on a release date?

Molly: We definitely are in the recording process, but we haven't nailed down a release date yet yet! You'll have to pay attention to our Twitter! We don't have a date yet but we know around when we should be dropping it *Insert that purple devil emoji with a creepy grin*

Delaney: We’re currently busting out recording our demos and working on getting those completely finished!

Haley: Yep, like they said, we have some demos in the works and a lot of plans. Definitely stay tuned and keep an eye on us.

(Since the interview, FIRE|DRIVE has announced that they will be releasing a single very soon with the EP to follow in September)

Going Forward

Where do you see yourselves one year from now? Ten years?

Molly: One year from now we definitely see ourselves touring, and also releasing a super awesome single that we’re REALLY excited about! After that I’m not sure. We actually have discussed stuff like this extensively. We don’t want to plan for anything, we want to just go with the flow and run with what we’re given.

Delaney: I don’t even know what I’m having for dinner tonight, never mind what I’ll be doing in a year, but ideally we’ll be touring for the EP!

Haley: In one year, definitely touring with the EP, even if it’s a section of warped tour or something like that. That’s actually always been a goal of mine. 10 years? Hopefully still making and playing music for sure.

Do you plan to pursue music as a career for the rest of your lives?

Molly: I have seen myself doing this since I was little so I'll definitely keep doing it, until I get arthritis and can't play anymore!

Delaney: That’s the plan! We’re trying our best, but definitely doing constant reality checks.

Haley: That’s definitely what I’m hoping for. Nothing makes me happier.

If being a musician doesn’t work out, what’s your backup plan?

Molly: I'm definitely not interested in thinking about that, but we're all in school so we DO have the ability in having that "backup" plan.

Delaney: Ideally FD will work out, but I did have career ideas in mind before we started the band, so I’d probably fall back on those if it comes to that.

Haley: Honestly, I’ve always wanted to be in the [music] industry one way or another, whether it’s being in a band myself, or helping others by being on the business side of it or the technological side of it. That’s what I’m going to school for.

Last Words

Do you have any advice to kids looking to break into the music industry?

Molly: I mean, we haven't by any stretch of the imagination broken in yet either, but I would say that you have to be your own biggest fan without letting it get to your head, you know? I think one of the best things ever said to me when I was shopping around for help was "be out of the box, be YOU. People will follow." When things get hard for me, either I will remember that or Delaney will text it to me!

Delaney: Yeah, we definitely haven’t “broken into the music industry” in the slightest yet, but being yourself and just sticking to your own intuition is my best advice to anyone following any of their dreams. You’re not going to get far in anything by pretending to be something you’re not!

Haley: Agreed! You definitely have to believe in yourself, because there can be moments when no one else will. You also have to be yourself; people will like you for who you are. You’re not going to get anywhere by being fake and you probably won’t be happy that way either.

Any final comments/shoutouts?

Molly: Shout out to PVRIS for not murdering us (me) for putting stickers all under their windshield wipers while it was raining!

Delaney: Thanks to anyone who has taken any interest in us in the past few months! We’re working really hard to get new music out there and we hope you stick around and check it out!

Haley: Hi mom.

Definitely be sure to follow FIRE | DRIVE on social media and keep an eye out for announcements on the EP! I don’t know about you, but I’m stoked to have gotten in on the ground floor with these guys, because they have quite the career ahead of them. I can’t tell if it’s their personalities or talent that entices me more, and that’s exactly how I know that it’s only a matter of time until I’m pressed up against that same stage watching them captivate a sold out crowd.

Socials:

Twitter Handles:

            Band: @firedriveband

            Molly: @STPVRITCK

            Haley: @parayelah

            Delaney: @delvneymorr

Website: firedriveband.com

Contact: firedriveband@gmail.com