half•alive

half•alive is an indie-pop band from Long Beach, California, formed in 2016 by lead vocalist Joshua William “Josh” Taylor, drummer Brett Kramer, and bassist J. Tyler Johnson. The band’s origins trace back to Taylor’s previous project, The Moderates, a rock band that released an EP titled Colour in 2013 before disbanding. Following the breakup, Taylor embarked on a personal songwriting challenge, aiming to create 50 songs within seven months. This endeavor led to the formation of half•alive, a project that allowed him to explore a more eclectic and experimental sound.

In April 2017, the band released their debut EP, 3, featuring three tracks that would become the foundation of their early sound. Recorded in a converted helicopter hangar in the Mojave Desert, the EP incorporated elements of indie rock, pop, and electronic music. With tracks like “The Fall” and “Aawake at Night,” the EP garnered significant attention, amassing millions of streams on Spotify and establishing a dedicated fanbase. It was around this time that J. Tyler Johnson joined the band, completing the trio.

half•alive’s breakthrough moment came in 2018 with the release of their single “Still Feel.” The song, accompanied by a visually captivating music video featuring choreographed dance sequences, quickly gained traction on YouTube and social media. The video’s unique blend of cinematography and choreography, created in collaboration with the dance collective JA Collective, attracted praise from music critics and fans alike. This viral success led to the band signing a deal with RCA Records later that year.

In August 2019, half•alive released their debut studio album, Now, Not Yet. The album, which featured a mix of previously released singles and new material, further solidified the band’s reputation for blending indie-pop with elements of funk, R&B, and electronic music. Tracks like “Runaway” and “Arrow” received widespread acclaim, and the band embarked on an extensive world tour to support the album. Their live performances, characterized by intricate choreography and energetic stage presence, helped elevate their status in the music industry.

In 2020, the band released In Florescence, an orchestral reimagining of several tracks from Now, Not Yet. This EP showcased the band’s versatility, offering a more intimate and cinematic interpretation of their music. Around this time, half•alive began working on new material, culminating in the release of their second album, Conditions of a Punk, in 2022. This album included tracks from their previously released Give Me Your Shoulders, Pt. 1, showcasing the band’s evolving sound and introspective lyrics.

The band’s influences are wide-ranging, from contemporary pop and indie acts like Twenty One Pilots and Sufjan Stevens to psychological and philosophical concepts rooted in Jungian and Freudian ideas. These themes often surface in their music, which explores topics like anxiety, relationships, and self-discovery.

In 2024, half•alive announced the release of their third album, Persona, set to drop in November. The lead single, “Sophie’s House,” was released in September, continuing the band’s tradition of introspective and visually striking releases. half•alive’s journey from a small indie project to an internationally recognized act showcases their ability to fuse artistic visuals, choreography, and genre-blurring music into a distinctive creative expression.