Performing May 18
Paradise Fears lead singer Sam Miller describes their music as “passion rock” - honest passion expressed in an original and energetic rock style,” he states. While their sound is infused with elements of pop, alternative and even spoken word, they maintain, above all, an authentic and genuine lyrical message. The energy they bring to the stage and their incomparable presence are reflections of this passion for songwriting and performing.
Paradise Fears formed as a group of six high school friends in the small town of Vermillion, South Dakota. Each working their own full-time jobs while in high school, they saved up enough money to defer college admissions and take a shot at their dream. Produced by Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount (All-Time Low, We Are the In Crowd, Mayday Parade), the songs turned into Yours Truly, the group’s first release.
Last year, the band released Yours Truly, which had greater success than they imagined. “We had a lot of songs we wanted to share with our fans and decided to release them as one collection,” singer Sam Miller says. “We were greatly under-prepared for the response from fans (Yours Truly hit #9 on Billboard Heatseekers and sold 24,000 albums in just six months). In the end, it pushed us to work harder and keep setting goals.”
Jumping on the road immediately, Paradise Fears quickly began sharing the stage with mainstream pop/rock alum like All Time Low, The Ready Set, The Cab, The Summer Set, Marianas Trench, and more. This past summer they sold out headlining shows in eight major markets. “Last year we were handing CDs out at these shows. Now, somehow without management or a record label, our fans have helped us to take the center stage,” drummer Lucas Zimmerman proudly exclaims. Songs like "Sanctuary" have become anthems of self- acceptance and and tolerance.
In December they released an EP of cover songs - including Ke$ha’s “Die Young” and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Same Love”. “We love recording cover songs,” guitarist Jordan Merrigan says, “we always make sure to put our own spin on the song to provide people with a different version of what they have heard before.” Most recently their cover of Gym Class Heroes’ “The Fighter” sparked attention for the accompanying music video featuring the band creating their own signature hand-clap tempo. Always the philanthropic ones, Paradise Fears donated all profits of the song to Children’s Miracle Network. The video itself takes place at a local Children’s Hospital.
This winter, the six-piece sat down in a recording studio in the Valley of North Los Angeles to finally record their first full-length album. Working extensively with producer Tomas Costanza (Boys Like Girls, Benny Benassi, Hillary Duff) they created a unique sound filled with melodic hooks and symphonic backdrops. Their Antebellum EP will release in 2025, paving the way for the upcoming fulllength later in the year. The first single will be titled “Lullaby”.