we started the week off with band practice at the studio for the EU/UK tour.

after we wrapped on practice we went to see Yellowcard play in Camden, NJ on Thursday!

on Friday we performed at WXPN, Philly’s best radio station, for their Free at Noon sessions. a real dream come true!

after our session we packed up and headed to Woodstock, NY for the night because we were playing Pearlapalooza in Albany, NY on Saturday!

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our roadtrip playlist included Fleetwood Mac’s self titled record, the new DJO Crux Deluxe, and a live record from My Morning Jacket.

after we met some delightful fans at the merch tent we headed back to Woodstock and had a little video shoot on Sunday for a “Jam” song session. We’ll share that when it’s published!

we’ve got a lot of great things planned for release week and we’d love to see our community in the comments, discord (join here), and all of that. your support truly means the world to us, as you know, or maybe don’t know, we’re an independent band and every share, like, comment, and play of our music just means that we get to make more music for you in the long run. thanks for being here and we’ll share some more BTS and tour content here on substack, so don’t forget to subscribe!

if you want to meet us at Rough Trade this Friday and see us play some tunes from the new record on release day you can do that: here

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We know just how much this fanbase loves the way we incorporate fruit into our album covers, so we didn’t want to let you down this time around. Something new, something different. There, tucked deliciously behind the vines of a morning glory flower, is a green apple.

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The truth is, getting older means sometimes growing away from exactly who you used to be. My time before The Happy Fits feels like a completely different lifetime. Without those experiences I wouldn’t be who I am now, but I am not the same person that I was. Those memories of my past live within me and are building blocks for the person and musician I am today. The same way that the previous Fits material is the essence of The Happy Fits, but it is no longer exactly who this band is.

“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.” — Henri Bergson

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My roots in music over the last decade were improvising on the stage every. single. show. No two shows were ever the same. No set list the same as the one before and no jams in the songs that referenced ideas you’ve used the previous nights. KEEP DIGGING DEEPER. That’s what music forces you to do. Dig deeper into your soul to share the dark, uncomfortable truths about your life or the world. There’s some topics on Lovesick that I’m positive weren’t easy for Calvin to write about. And I’m sure it wasn’t easy to have other band members edit and refine those lyrics, but we didn’t become writers and musicians to do this the easy way. It made us into stronger friends and band mates. I am forever grateful for every step of this process, though some days it was pretty damn stressful, haha. That’s what it’s all about.

And we’re just getting started.

There will be more singles and music videos along the way and we are so appreciative of the love we’ve gotten so far. If you’ve been a long time fan of the band, thank you so much for welcoming us into your hearts. We know change isn’t easy, but this is what it’s all about. If you’ve got any musings on change please share with us in the comments, we love to hear from you in all forms. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

x

Raina Mullen

Hey friends! If you’re new here, my name is Luke and I'm the drummer of The Happy Fits. When I was growing up, I was surrounded by different kinds of artists. My mother being an incredible painter, and my father being a talented landscaper made for an inspiring environment. Watching my older brother and sister draw and paint, it only felt right that I would give it a shot too. I loved to draw and still do. I was drawn to the idea of art taking you away to somewhere else. Creating universes and characters, whether they were my own or inspired from someone else's, was something I was really proud of. Before I was 9, music was something that I enjoyed but never dreamed I'd be able to pursue. My father playing Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin in the car opened my world to rock and roll. My mother would always put on the country radio and sing to us in the car, and although I didn't appreciate it at the time, I always loved hearing her voice. My sister got me into bands like Hot Hot Heat, The AquaBats, and Sum 41 (I know she's literally the coolest). My brother, only being two years apart from me, would always show me the newest band he found. He and I used to watch Tunami together and loved when Dragon ball and Naruto would play every night. I’ll always remember when he showed me this Naruto edit on YouTube where Three Days Grace was playing in the background. Looking back on it, it’s one of the most ridiculous videos, but we thought it was so cool at the time. Being exposed to a new kind of art form through music opened my eyes (and ears) to a whole new world.

As I grew up, I continued drawing, but every day my focus was aimed more towards music. Weirdly enough, the thing that bridged the gap from being a listener to a performer was video games. My parents would always get my brother and I the newest consoles when they came out. Having games like Tony Hawk and ATV Motocross exposed me to the best soundtracks. We actually had a kitchen timer so that my brother and I would get an even amount of playing time. Although, I would always try to add a few extra minutes (sorry Logan). In 2005 Guitar Hero came out and we were OBSESSED. We would play for hours on end. A breakthrough moment for me was playing “Woman” by Wolf Mother on hard difficulty. From there on, I excelled at the game and it was so fun to show off to my friends and family. After flaunting my skills on two more releases of Guitar Hero, Rock Band released in 2009. Finally, I could play with my brother and my friends together in a full band! For the first few songs I played guitar, and when my brother wanted to switch, I would be sad to switch to the drums. But, immediately when I played, something clicked. Since then, I’ve been hooked! I beat every song on expert difficulty, but still had never played a real drum kit. 

When I was in 5th grade, I was finally old enough to audition for percussion in my school band. I was nervous. I couldn’t read music very well and struggled through the sight reading portion of the test. My teacher then asked me if I could play the drum kit, I hesitantly said yes. When I walked over and sat down, it was my first time at a real kit. But, before my mind could think, I started to play “Maps” By the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. My teacher was shocked and asked how I was able to play it and I replied, “I can play expert on Rock Band!”. I eagerly awaited the results, and the next day found that I had made it into my middle school orchestra! Almost a year later my parents bought me my first drum kit. I think they wanted to see if I would stick with it before buying the loudest possible hobby a child could have.

I continued playing drums at home and participating in orchestra through highschool. But it wasn’t until Junior year that I broadened my horizons. I was friends with all the marching band kids, but was worried I would be made fun of by my non-music friends if I joined. Also, if i'm being honest, I REALLY didn’t want to just play cymbals for a whole year. But, at the beginning of the school year, my teacher encouraged me to audition for snare drum and I passed! I made so many new friends and my non-music friends did tease me, but they cheered me on at the football games. During this time I had also discovered Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes. While I enjoyed drumming, I found myself singing more and more because these bands’ style fit my voice. With that, I auditioned for Show Choir that year and made it in as well! As I went through high school, I started to stray from playing the actual drum kit at home. When at school, I focused on my music classes and marching band. At home, I focused more on singing and playing guitar.  When senior year came, My friends and I started our band called Moonbaby (shout out to Joe for the absurd band name). We played battle of the bands and had a big crowd, but unfortunately that would be the only show we ever played. My friends' little brothers always joke with me to this day and say, “Oh my god is that the lead singer of Moonbaby!” and we always chuckle.

Finally, it came time to choose which college I would enroll in to further my chops and music career. Funny enough, I didn’t apply for drums in my auditions, but for singing and songwriting. William Paterson was the perfect fit, it had a program that focused on being an artist in the real world through a hybrid program, as opposed to getting a BA in performance. This way I would learn how to navigate the world as a musician in a more realistic way. I met many friends and made meaningful connections while I attended my three semesters there. I would also meet the love of my life, Cass, at the neighboring school of Montclair during my first week of college. I was even asked to play drums for my good friend Zach Matari. He heard I played drums, and even though I had not played the kit in months, I practiced through multiple nights to make sure I nailed the audition. I nervously played in front of him and made it into his band! I learned so much being in his band. It was my first experience playing real live shows and touring. He and his family were so supportive and caring of me and still are to this day.

I loved playing for Zach but deep in my heart I didn’t want to be a hired gun forever. In my sophomore year of college, I was asked to play session drums for two kids who went to North who were a year under me. I was nervous (recurring theme) to play my first recorded music but with the encouragement of Cass and my friends, I went and played on two songs for a band that called themselves The Happy Fits. If I had never played with Zach, I don’t think I would have ever been recommended by a friend to play on our first EP. It's funny how life can work like that  sometimes, and I am forever grateful! When I first heard the songs, I immediately loved it. It was music that felt so new, but so familiar. I remember thinking, like, “Who is this mad man playing cello?!”. One of the things I remember most is playing "Too Late" and thinking to myself, “Why are there so many stops in this song? I can't remember how many ‘da da’s’ I do here”. I left that day feeling fulfilled and excited to finally hear myself in a fully recorded song, and thought it would just be that. Little did I know, that drum session would turn into my life and my dream. Now, 9 years later we're bigger and better than we’ve ever been and I can’t wait for everyone to hear! Thank you to everyone who listens to and supports us. I never Thought Rock Band would take me this far, but I'm loving every moment of it. 

With the Mid-April launch of our band’s Substack, and the chance to share a bit of myself here, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on something that shaped me as a fan, a performer, and a dreamer. When I think about what sparked my love for live music, I always come back to Coachella.

For me, Coachella isn’t just a festival—it’s a tradition with my dad. We would take the drive to the desert, run between stages, mosh, track down shade, and try to get barricade for our most anticipated sets. My first invite came in the eighth grade. My childhood best friend and I were going with our dads—who also happen to be best friends and, to this day, the most outgoing and music-loving people I know.

They were the ones who raised us on concerts, taking us to shows all over LA when we were just kids. Because of them, I know how to navigate a crowd like a pro and have zero fear when the pit opens up. They were so deeply involved in sharing a love for music and art during such formative years of my life, and even now, some of my favorite shows are the ones I get to see with them.

While I grew up on the classics, Coachella opened the door to the culture of current music. Before Spotify was really a thing, the Coachella lineup would drop and I would research all the bands performing. I bought singles and albums off the itunes store and snagged CDs to create a playlist and STUDY. This is how I first found out about Vampire Weekend, Haim, Muse, James Blake, Anderson Paak, Chris Stapleton, Janelle Monáe, Odd Future (Tyler, The Creator), PJ Harvey—so many of the artists who would go on to shape my own music.

Our Coachella was packed—tight schedules, precise game plans, and the eternal struggle of set time conflicts. One time, I left Them Crooked Vultures early to catch La Roux play Bulletproof. Zero regrets. Another time, I chose Corinne Bailey Rae over Coheed and Cambria. She was iconic, but I have regrets. Come on, Coheed!? Sorry!!

Amidst the clashes, there were moments that left a permanent mark. The first time I cried at a show was during Neutral Milk Hotel on the outdoor stage—everyone in the crowd singing every word like it was church. I was up close for a Father John Misty set when he climbed onto the barricade and grabbed the top of my head for support while he sang a verse. And, in a rare moment of cell service, I got a text from a friend: “come to stage left fence now.” A quick weave through the crowd and I was dancing on stage with Cage the Elephant. These little flashes of magic filled me with possibility.

As time went on and everyone grew less keen on stage-hopping, we slowed things down. We’d stake out a good spot hours before a set, like Beychella, and settle in. No big need to be up front for every artist. Sitting instead of standing while the next band set up. Moving at the speed of appreciation, not urgency.

It was during those years that the dream of being in a band and performing live first formed. While I haven’t played Coachella yet, it’s always felt like the place where fans become artists. It shaped culture in real time—every lineup drop felt like a revelation, and every set felt like it could change your life. It showed me how connective and transformative live music can be. It still inspires my stage presence.

These days, it seems a little different. There are more curated moments, more people there for the content. Sometimes I catch myself missing an older Coachella—a sunburned, chaotic, unhinged version where it felt like anything could happen. But then I remember: at its core, Coachella has always been a little curated. I remember seeing, in the flesh, an unbothered Vanessa Hudgens walking around in her boho fringe and flower crowns—it was peak fashion blog culture. You wanted to look cute and catch a glimpse of celebrity. That part feels heavier now, but it’s kind of always been baked in. I don’t really know how to feel about it, maybe I just miss what it felt like in the awe of discovering live music for the first time.

Even with the cultural shifts, Coachella still has a hold on me. I have’t attended in a few years, but just last weekend, I dressed up in full Gaga glam with friends to watch her headlining set—her album is easily my favorite of the year so far.

And now, as a fan turned artist, I have these surreal moments on tour where dads bring their daughters to our shows. They tell me how much the music means to them, how special it is to share it as a family. And I get a little choked up every time. Because I was that kid. And my dad was that dad. It’s the deepest kind of full circle.

I love live music. I love being a fan. And I love where it all first made sense.

I have the honor of kicking off the first post to our Substack community, and I’d like to share a little bit about myself! Before we get started, maybe you’d like something to listen to in the background while you read: Raina’s Spring Playlist. Making playlists for chapters of my life has always been a fun hobby of mine and it forces me to discover new music, too.

Recording in Woodstock, NY August, 2024

Throughout my entire time in college I was heavily involved in the radio station we had on campus. It actually lead me to my first job in the music industry - Hospitality at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself - let’s go back a bit further, shall we?

Born and raised in Old Lyme, Connecticut, I spent my childhood with three older sisters, a dog, two cats, and a chinchilla I had until he was about 20 years old. From early on, I was involved in music: forced piano lessons (I wish I never quit), choir in every school system, school musicals, and local talent shows. My parents owned a local blues/biker bar, and my dad booked musicians from all over the country. Looking back, I realize that must have been one of the first few musical seeds planted in my soul. For years, my dad hosted vintage car shows at Ocean Beach Park in New London, CT, and he played the greatest Motown, rock, oldies, and doo-wop music you could find. Music was always in the air.

A photo I took on my most recent trip home to Old Lyme.

From age seven, I knew I wanted to be a singer. Every summer, my family would go to a campground that hosted a talent show for kids. I mustered up the courage to make up a dance and sing Christina Aguilera’s “Come On Over Baby.” Age appropriate? Nope. Did I win? Yup. I was changed forever. It was the confidence boost and affirmation that I could do whatever I wanted.

When I was in middle school, my sister Kayla started attending a summer camp for the creative arts. The camp is called YPI (it’s still going strong), and it’s been a pillar of my life in so many ways. I think I was 12 at the time when I went to my first week of sleepaway camp, and I loved every second. I made friendships that have lasted throughout my life and, more importantly, I learned how to write songs. Real songs. I was expressing my emotions through music for the first time, and it made dealing with being an insufferable teenager a little bit easier. I loved that camp so much that after I aged out, I became a counselor and eventually a songwriting teacher there.

My second write up for music in The Day newspaper in New London, CT and The Lyme Times. 2017

When I graduated high school, I really didn’t want to go to college. I wanted to pursue music but was encouraged to focus on education first. I’m glad I did — it all worked out anyway. I attended Manhattanville College (now University) in Purchase, NY, and got my BA in Music Business. My freshman year, I got involved with the campus radio station and built a strong community of music lovers around me. I helped host events and concerts on campus and performed my songs at “the pub.” Performing my originals and learning covers helped build my confidence on stage.

Performing on Manhattanville’s quad, 2013

The radio station got connected with a local venue — one of the best theaters in the area — The Capitol Theatre. I became friends with the head of the marketing team, and she suggested I apply for a job there. I got the job in my senior year and worked there until I graduated. That job changed my life because of the people I met.

My future changed in one night. New Year’s Eve, 2014, I met the person who I would collaborate with for the next ten years. My future band mate, Tom Hamilton, was performing in a band called Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, one of the best Grateful Dead cover bands. I was listening to the music of the Dead from underneath the stage and beginning to understand what it really meant to be a true artist in music. That catalog of music grew to be my most comforting thing to listen to.

Tom and I began to collaborate on finishing my very first EP. I would travel to Philadelphia in my last semester of college and understand what it meant to work in a real studio. Tom asked me to join his band, American Babies, and move to Philly after college. I said yes without a doubt in my heart that this was the path I was meant to travel. In the following three years I toured the country with our band and honed my chops as a jam/rock guitar player and singer. We performed my songs as well and I watched them blossom into something I had only dreamt of.

American Babies with Bob Weir at Sweetwater Music Hall 2016

American Babies was my foundation, and our next project, Ghost Light, became my life force. We started a new band together and recorded our first album in 2017/2018. It was my world. We toured the country, played music cruises, and even got to play with Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead. In such a short amount of time I went from my dorm room to hotels, vans, greenrooms, and festivals. I co-wrote the material with Tom and our bandmates and we became family. But sometimes families can fall apart. In 2022 we released our second album, The Healing, and went on one fall tour to push that record, and then our piano player quit the band. I cannot understate how much I loved this project, what we were creating together, and what it taught me every time we stood on stage and played together. We were at a standstill and needed time to figure out our next steps.

It was in rehearsals for the very last festival we played as a band I got message from Calvin asking if I’d be interested in auditioning to play with The Happy Fits at Lollapalooza. I got the gig, focused on learning the material, and before I knew it I was in a new chapter. This is a vlog I made from that time: Vlog.

My boyfriend, Joe Lee, had created a couple music videos for The Happy Fits that I got to be apart of. I was just a helping hand, moving lights and equipment, and it was the “She Wants Me” music video that introduced me to the band. If you look really closely in the final dance/disco ball scene you can see a yellow beanie behind a counter, that’s me running lights. At that time it was the middle of the pandemic and Ghost Light was working on our second record. It was so much fun to work on that video as well as the “Around and Around” video as well.

And that, ladies and gents, is how we got to where we are now. This new chapter of The Happy Fits is one that I’m thrilled to be apart of. To make music for a living is one of the greatest gifts in the world. To play that music for people all over the world is an extraordinary thing. I am so excited to get to know this community and for you all to get to know me, and this era of “The Fits” as I like to say in casual conversation. Thank you for welcoming me into your world and I can’t wait to see what this era holds for all of us.

Be well and be kind.

with love,

Raina Mullen

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