A diverse and genre-refining quartet from Massachusetts, Somos emerged in 2012 with a sound that combined elements of pop-punk, emo, post-hardcore, and indie rock. Originally conceived in 2009 when guitarist Phil Haggerty was talking with a high school friend about how their musical tastes had changed from just listening to and playing hardcore to a more diverse mix of genres, they eventually decided that they should form a new band that reflected these changes. After a jam session with vocalist and bass player Mike Fiorentino, the group decided to go their own ways after high school, with Haggerty keeping in close contact with Fiorentino. Two years later, the pair took the idea of Somos as a band to San Francisco -- a city that would seemingly be a perfect fit for their mix of post-hardcore and '90s-inspired indie rock -- adding drummer Evan Degas to the lineup. Recording their four-track demo EP at San Fran's Panda Studios in May 2012 with the addition of Justin Hahn on guitar, the group eventually decided to move back to their home state of Massachusetts, settling in Boston. After hearing their demo, label Tiny Engines contacted them about the possibility of releasing more material, and in the summer of 2013, Somos headed to Cannon Found Soundation Studios in Union City, New Jersey, with producer Jesse Cannon (Saves the Day, the Cure, the Menzingers) to record their debut album. Released the following year, Temple of Plenty saw the band fine-tune their mix of indie rock, pop-punk, and post-hardcore. After a hefty touring schedule across the U.S. that year and into 2015, the group eventually reentered the studio to record what would be their sophomore album. Signing with Hopeless Records for the release, the band once again refined their sound, this time taking in new production techniques and a wider variety of influences. The album, First Day Back, was released in early 2016 to positive reviews. Somos went on a brief hiatus shortly thereafter to concentrate on day jobs and social activism, but they re-emerged in late 2017 with a pair of singles. The band finished tracking the full-length follow-up to First Day Back in early 2019, with plans to release the album later that September. The resulting Prison on a Hill was issued for a limited one-week run ahead of schedule to help cover the funeral costs for guitarist Phil Haggerty, who passed away suddenly on August 12. Released via Tiny Engines, the record got a proper release the following month. ~ Rich Wilson, Rovi

Mat Kerekes, Somos, The Flats, The Circus Act

Mat Kerekes

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