ANNOUNCEMENTS:
After an eventful 2017 for alternative rock outfit VISTA, the band has announced their first tour of 2018, “The Bloodlust Tour”. The month-long run consists of 25 dates, spanning across the US Northeast, Midwest, and South. “The Bloodlust Tour” will also feature Florida rockers Brightside as direct regional support for 8 southern dates, from 7/9 - 7/17. The band has teased that there will be new music played, an all-new set, new merch items, and a “Long Live” one year anniversary show in their hometown (Long Island, 7/19). Limited VIP packages will be made available in select cities via individual ticket link, which will be announced in the coming weeks. Since the completion of their last tour, “The Oasis Tour” in November 2017, VISTA has been in the studio with ZK Productions (Mayday Parade, Set It Off, Chapel) working on new material, although no official release timeline for new music has been announced.
An electronically-tinged alternative rock band, NY-based outfit VISTA originally formed in late 2015. Comprised of lead vocalist Hope Vista and guitarist Greg Almeida, the band combines both modern alternative rock and electronic influences to create their unique anthemic sound. VISTA released their debut 4-track EP “VERSUS” shortly after their original inception, in which their debut single “On The Brink” debuted worldwide on idobi radio. Their name hasn’t been shy in the press, since; the band has garnered praise from outlets such as Alternative Press, Rock Sound, Substream, and AXS. In 2017, VISTA released their highly anticipated sophomore EP “Long Live,” featuring the lead single “Allegiance," played at Irving Plaza, gained idobi rotation with their single “Henchmen”, and completed two headlining tours "Long Live" immediately made its’ way onto three different iTunes Alternative charts, including peaking at #10 on the top selling $5.99 albums, and sparked the completion of two promotional tours, in August and November, respectively. “The Bloodlust Tour” kicks off on June 25th in New Hampshire. Check out the dates below!
INTERVIEW:
The Bloodlust Tour was just announced - how excited are you guys?
Greg: Super excited! Still some things to figure out logistically, but we will get there. It gets the most exciting when you're actually on the tour.
Hope: Stoked! I’ll be more stoked when our van is fixed though.
How did your family feel when you first told them you were going to be in a band and tour all over the world? Do they feel any different now?
Greg: I can only hope we get to the level of “touring all over the world”. That would be sick. But they know that’s what I wanna do, they support me. As long as I can be responsible with myself and my life, they support it. You truly only do have one life to live.
Hope: My mom honestly was not, and still isn’t stoked, hahaha.
Did you guys go to college before you started your band? If so, what were your degrees in?
Greg: Yeah, actually. I have a degree in audio engineering/business. I loved college actually, it was a great experience.
Hope: Yes unfortunately. I didn’t want to go to college, I wanted to continuing pursuing music right out of high school or just go to community for two years and get an Associate’s. I made a deal with my dad though, so I went to Rowan University and received my BFA in Writing Arts in 2015.
When you write songs do you have a process? Is it a collaborative effort or does one person write?
Greg: It’s definitely a collaborative effort. There are so many facets to a song, it’s hard for 1 person to be responsible for everything, haha. The process is never the same though.
Hope: We’re a joint effort.
What did the process for writing your new single Witch Hunt look like? What inspired your new song?
Greg: We basically had the lyrical concept agreed on 100%, then sought out to make something that matched with ZK Productions. Besides the lyrical concept, we all wrote it in a room from scratch and recorded it. I played drums/guitars on it, so did Ken (producer) for a bit. Also there’s some random vocals in there of me screaming. The song was inspired pretty much by the feeling of hysteria that is all to prevalent in american politics, and also the entertainment industry too.
What is the most difficult part of being in a band and why? What is your favorite part of it and what is your favorite part about it?
Greg: The most difficult part of being in a band is the mental part of it. If you’re in a serious band, trying to make it your career, you have to rise up and push through so much bullshit sometimes for you to make it work. The best part is the absolute high you get when something cool happens/someone gives you a chance. It should be without saying that the definite coolest part is when you create something sick while writing.
Hope: For me it’s all financial. I have a hard time balancing out paying my bills, sustaining a comfortable living situation, and affording the band expenses.
Do you have any local bands in New York that you would recommend listening to?
Greg: We have some awesome friends. Nevrlands are good friends of ours, so is Off Guard. Oso Oso is really solid too, so is Macseal. I really miss This Condition, and Life Between Sleep. Those were some good bands. There are plenty more but those are a start.
Hope: Nevrlands, Off Guard, In Loving Memory, Times Like These, Maybe Later, Scarabino, Six Stories Told.
If you could be any animal in the world what would you be & why?
Greg: Some animal that could fly, for sure. That would be fucking nuts.
Hope: A zebra!
If you were stranded on an island and could only have three items, what would they be?
Greg: I’m sort of stranded on Long Island now actually. I’m not sure I guess I would have my phone and cell service, and Jimmy Neutron’s infinite storage cube filled with all of the necessities I could ever desire.
Hope: Technically we definitely are kind of stranded on an island….. But I’d bring my stuffed zebra, an unlimited supply of water, and my N64 because otherwise I’ll lose my sanity.
What would your ideal vacation look like?
Greg: Definitely going somewhere new, exploring. Nature filled. Activities. I don't like to sit around more than a normal amount. I see pictures of like the mountains in New Zealand for example, that shit looks amazing. I want to spend days exploring there.
Hope: Fiji. That’s my ideal vacation.
If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?
Greg: Either invisibility or flying! This one is so hard to decide.
Hope: I’m really not sure!