Boston’s Hard Rock/Metal Band SILENT SEASON Answer Questions About Their Latest Music, Biggest Inspirations and More!

Boston’s Hard Rock/Metal band Silent Season formed in the spring of 2008. Despite the changes that have taken place in the hard rock/metal world with favorite venues, radio stations and record stores closing, the band’s name reflects one that captures depth and emotion as their music always conveys a positive message with elements of perseverance, determination and overcoming challenges, not just in the music industry, but in life in general. With influences such as Breaking Benjamin, Sevendust, Staind, Metallica and Red, fans of these bands are bound to immediately be drawn to Silent Season, making their band a fan favorite.

Silent Season was founded by Jeremy Rae (Lead Vocalist) and David Pappalardo (Drummer). The line-up was solidified with the addition of Guitarists Brendan Sheehan and Anthony Puliafico. In the summer of 2012, the band released their debut album, ‘Breaking Me Down,’ which consisted of 12-tracks ranging from aggressive hard rock songs to melodic rock ballads while all songs engaged the listener with powerful, heartfelt lyrics. The album was produced by Brett Hestla (Dark New Day & Creed), Brad Young (Platinum LFO albums) and Alex Hatziyannis. It was mastered by Grammy-nominated producer Jonathan Wyner (Nirvana, David Bowie, Aerosmith and Bruce Springsteen) from M-Works Studio in Cambridge, MA.

The debut album received support from stations such as Sirius-XM Octane, Music Choice and Sixx Sense along FM stations such as WZBH, WOBG, WHBR, KOZE, KJML, WIIL and WXTB, which resulted in the band gaining a loyal fan base. Silent Season’s hit single, ‘Chance,’ off of their debut album made it to the #1 spot on Music Choice’s Metal channel within a week.

The band has toured with national artists such as Sevendust, 10 Years, Gemini Syndrome and Twelve Foot Ninja.  They have also shared the stage with Black Veil Brides, Hinder, Lacuna Coil, Nonpoint, Red, Sick Puppies, Falling In Reverse, Like A Storm, Taproot, Trapt, Orgy and Powerman 5000, to name a few.

Since releasing their debut album, the band has followed up with hit singles including ‘Us All’ (2014), ‘The Negative’ (2017) and ‘Stars’ (2017) with ‘The Negative’ being accompanied by a lyric video and ‘Us All’ and ‘Stars’ with music videos.  With Silent Season’s current hit single, ‘Stars,’ the band released a melodic ballad perfectly suited for active rock stations. Their music video, which was just released, for ‘Stars’ hones in on the emotions or feelings you may have felt for someone that you may have or not met yet, but long for a mutual response.

The band’s perseverance, drive and dedication has been undeniable and it is with much appreciation from the continued support the band has received from various mediums that continue to propel them forward. ‘Stars’ recently received rave reviews after being featured in Alternative Revolt Magazine (http://bit.ly/2Bk1JH1). The song is also being played on numerous FM stations (96.7 KCMQ, 95.7 The Rock Station, KEYJ-Rock 108, 105.1 The Blaze and The Dark on FM94, to name a few) and internet stations (Rock Rage Radio, Boston Rock Radio, Renegade Radio, Philly Rock Radio, Neue Regel Radio, 101.9 Fox FM, Rock 98.9, Rock On The Rise, Rock File Radio and Unphiltered Radio, to name a few).  With fans anxiously awaiting the release of their next EP, Silent Season will continue working on delivering the best original hard rock/metal music to their fans.

Learn more about Silent Season in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time, Silent Season! So how has 2018 been treating you all? What is one musical goal that you have had for this year and how close are you to reaching it?

Jeremy Rae (Vocalist) & David Pappalardo (Drummer): 2018 has been a great year for Silent Season so far as we dropped our new single ‘Stars’, and released a lyric and music video for the song as well. A musical goal is to release new music over the course of the year and continue the writing process. We’re currently in the engineering phase for the remaining songs.

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be in this group together? Has anything surprised you about it all so far?

DP: When Jeremy and I were in our previous bands, we used to gig out in the same circuit and would watch each other perform. When I saw Jeremy performed for the first time, I had a feeling that we would come together and put an awesome band together. His talent shined through and I knew it evolve into a project for us.

How difficult was it to come up with your band name? What other names were you considering?

JR and DP: We spent a month or so thinking about a name that would truly reflect what we’re about. Silent Season came about, because we were in a scene where it was harder to find newer hard rock music, venues and radio stations were closing. It was an overall hard time to adapt to.

How do you think your hometown has influenced the sound and how you all carry yourselves in this group? If you don’t think that it has, why is that?

JR: Starting off in our music scene there were a ton of great bands. It definately made me want to become a better musician.

DP: Many great bands have come out of the Boston area before us such as Staind, Godsmack and Killswitch Engage, who have definitely influenced us as a band and how we carry ourselves. With that being said, we have created an image and story that is unique to the band that leaves our fans wanting more.

How would you say that Silent Season has grown over the years since you first formed in 2008?

JR and DP: We came together to write music in 2008, with the intention on starting a band that would tour, be on radio and have an existence within the music industry. Since 2008, the band has made great progress by touring with nationals such as Sevendust, 10 Years, Gemini Syndrome and Twelve Foot Ninja along with playing countless national shows. Also, we were lucky enough to have many singles played on FM, Sirius XM Octane, Music Choice and other Internet radio stations. We have also worked with producers/engineers/mixers/mastering such as Brett Hestla, David Bendeth, Brad Young, and Jonathan Weiner which have helped shape our sound.

Let’s talk about your newest single “Stars.” What was the inspiration for it? How creatively involved were you all with the making of the music video for it?

JR: The inspiration behind “Stars” has to do with finding the person of your dreams. I have learned not to settle for anything in this world except for everything I deserve. I think a lot of people can related to that, and is a conflict emotionally sometimes. We were all bouncing ideas off of each other during the process of the music video keeping the focus on what it meant. I couldn’t be happier with how it came out in the end thanks to Michael Dunphy (videographer) and Melanie Epolito (actress) for putting ideas of their own to make it come together.

When do you hope to release your next EP? Why did you decide to release “Stars” as the first single?

DP: Being a singles market lately, our goal is to release the remaining tracks over the course of the fall into winter. Once all of the songs have been released, we will then drop the EP in full. We decided to release ‘Stars’ first, because the message is personally strong and adaptable to a wide audience. In an ever growing modern/alternative rock format, this song has the right hook and balance of emotions and melodies to attract many.

Where do you think you are all happiest- in the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere?

JR: I love making new music in our studio, but I also love playing out equally.

DP: Personally, I love performing on stage for thousands of screaming fans!

Do you have any upcoming tour dates this summer that you would like to tell our readers about?

DP: We’re currently in the song releasing/writing mode and do not have shows booked as of right now. Once tour dates are posted, we will be sure to keep our fans in the loop on social media!

You have toured with so many incredible acts so I am curious to know what touring experience has stood out as your favorite and most memorable? Who would you say that you have learned the most from?

JR: 12 Foot Ninja were probably the funniest dudes that I have met as far as musicians go. I loved watching them do their thing especially because they did it all without amps. Their setup was so easy it made us think about ours. Fanboy wise I loved watching Sevendust do their thing on stage as well. They just kicked ass and were fun to sing along with.

DP: My most memorable experience was watching one of my idols killing it on the drums night in and night out. Watching Morgan Rose from Sevendust on tour every night gave me validation why I play in a hard rock band and enjoying jamming live. They were awesome guys and they treated us so well. True class acts in this business. I’ve learned to put blinders on in the music industry and to not let outside negative influences deter you from what you’re doing. Focus on yourself and you will succeed.

How do you think being musicians and in this band gives you all the most joy in life today?

JR: Creating and sharing is huge. I love that people say they can relate to what they have listened to and overcame struggles because of it. Very rewarding!

DP: It’s a great feeling when your fans truly appreciate your hard work and art that you create for them, giving them the ultimate music experience that you had hoped for from the beginning.

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how your own music is reflecting this time period? If you don’t think it is, why is that? Would you say that other musicians are making music that has been influenced by this climate?

JR: It’s a prime time for subjects these day based on issues of coming together. I think that’s what our music is really about being relatable and open ended for interpretation. I think a lot of musicians are writing about this being that it’s so relevant.

DP: I would give our track, ‘The Negative’ a close listen.

How important do you think social media has been to this band? Do all you help to maintain all your sites or is one of you more into it all? Or do you rely on your PR/management team to handle it?

JR and DP: Social media is very important to us as a band. Our fans mean the world to us and this is our way to consistently interact with them along with expressing our appreciation for their ongoing support. With regards to the management of our social media sites, it is a collaborate process. We are both involved as well as our publicist, Kerri Edelman, plays an instrumental role in managing our press and the social media sites. We also all believe in how important it is to recognize the support from all of the press we receive on our social media sites.

Who would you love to work with in the future? Who are some of your favorite artists right now? What do you think would be a dream collaboration for this group?

JR: I would like to collaborate with David Bendeth, Taylor Larson, and get mastered by Ted Jensen. Some of my favorite artists at the moment are Breaking Benjamin, Bad Wolves, Bullet for my Valentine, and From Ashes to New. All great new albums coming or out by them! I’d collaborate with any of those!

DP: I would love to work with David Bendeth on a full length CD. He mixed our song ‘Us All’ and it was amazing! My favorite artists right now include Breaking Benjamin, Bad Wolves, Sevendust .. to name a few. A dream collaboration would be with the guys in Sevendust.

If you guys were all going to be stranded on a deserted island, what musical item would you want to take with you and why?

JR: Acoustic guitar because it’s the best way to get songwriting started and endless amusement without plugging anything in.

DP: I would want to be with my drums, because drumming gives me an outlet to channel positive energy in my life. Drumming helps me to be disciplined, focused and provides the entertainment to get my mind off the fact that I’m stranded on a deserted island. 😊

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

JR: I hope that listeners will be able to relate to these songs and come to the conclusion that they can overcome whatever struggle they face. All of our songs have a message with positive outcomes.

DP: I’m hoping listeners can take a positive message away from each one of our songs. Whether it’s overcoming a battle with addiction, a bad relationship or becoming motivated to take a chance in life.

Where can our readers connect with this group?

DP: Social Media Links Include:

1. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silentseasonmusic

2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silentseasonband

3. Twitter: https://twitter.com/silentseason

4. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silentseasonmusic

5. ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/silentseason