Q&A Marvin Lee
No Hope is a Clarkston-based band that plays a wide array of genres that fit under the emo-pop umbrella. No Hope strives to inspire and help others to stay motivated. In 2012, Logan Wallace, solo at the time, released his first EP, “Story of You.” In 2014, No Hope released its second EP, “Leading the Lost.” The songwriting for “Leading the Lost” is based on what it’s like to live in a world that seems to have no purpose or reason for living. Band member Judd Riley is the son of my friend Mike SanFilippo, and it was cool to interview him since I’ve known him since he was 5.
Marvin Lee: Logan, are you the main songwriter for No Hope?
Logan Wallace: When No Hope started, it was just me. I took my guitar and piano pieces into a production place where my producer and I would write the instrumentals and vocals and go from there. The first thing I wanted to do was get the EP “The Story of You” out in 2012.
How did getting a band together come about? Wallace: I realized I couldn’t just get out there by myself; I needed to get a band together. I focused on getting some people together, and things didn’t work out. It eventually led to me and Judd getting together and finishing off the band.
How are the songs performed live? Wallace: I play guitar and sing. Judd sings great harmonies and plays guitar. Sometimes I’ll play piano. It all depends on what songs we are going to perform. We don’t have a bass player or drummer. We use backing tracks for the rhythm section.
Let’s travel back in time for a bit: How did you guys get into playing music? Wallace: The first instrument I learned to play was guitar. Back when I was a sophomore in high school, I had this band and we did a talent show. Well, they wanted to keep the band going but in a more hard-core scream style, and I just couldn’t follow that, so they kicked me out of the band. I decided ‘screw those guys’ and picked up a guitar. I was going to make it. From then on I have just kept going.
Judd Riley: In the beginning, my dad, Mike SanFilippo, taught me guitar basics. After some time I decided to teach myself more of the guitar. After a few years I decided to pick up other instruments. I learned how to play banjo and piano.
Dudes! What are your musical roots? Riley: My roots are punk rock, through my dad, of course, but I have a lot of other influences like folk and pop-punk.
Wallace: My influences are the whole emo genre, like screaming stuff like Falling in Reverse to like, the more poppy emo like Mayday Parade. Mostly stuff that touched me emotionally. Something that expresses that I’m OK in the world.
Tell me about the title track off your new EP “Leading the Lost.” Wallace: It’s about being stuck here in town and feeling like I couldn’t really make it anywhere else. Feeling like I was trapped inside this room and if I ever got outside it might be the death of me. It was very motivational to me to go out there and make this music venture a reality. I’m not just going to sit back in my room, relax and do nothing with my life. It’s about finding yourself.
Do you guys have any shows coming up in the near future? Riley: July 31st we have a show at the 3rd Wheel. We don’t know who we are playing with, but I guess it’s going to be their third showcase since being open.
I hear you cats are going to be putting out an acoustic EP. Mind telling us about it? Wallace: Yes we are, and it’s going to be called “Just Another Day.” It’s basically going to be the best songs from our two previous releases played acoustically. Judd will be playing the guitar on these tracks. There will also be some of the older songs remastered with new ideas put into them, too. ——— I had a great time hanging out with No Hope at The Blue Lantern in Beautiful Downtown Lewiston. These band mates are quite the determined pair of musicians. If you like the emo-pop sound, No Hope is right up your alley. Check out their Reverbnation link and give ’em a listen. Be prepared to watch these guys shoot through the stars and leave their mark on the moon, then come back to Earth with a mission accomplished. Viva La No Hope!
Lee is a musician and aspiring poet who resides in Lewiston. He can be contacted at marvin.lee@live.com.
