Respect My Region recently flew out to San Diego, California to interview a hot new band called Blue Hour. We caught up band’s lead singer Ashton Tomas for an exclusive interview as well as a video interview, that will be released later this month. I enjoyed asking them for their views on the music industry as well as the intricate details on the highs and lows of being an up and coming band.
Who is Blue Hour
Sitting at a house show, 18 year old guitarist Ashton Tomas is enjoying the music when he is introduced to another young guitarist named Julian. Both being Freshmen at San Diego State they immediately bond over music and how they want to be in a band. They then decide to hang out later that week and play together. Julian brings his friend Indi who is interested about playing the Bass but has no experience, and Ashton brings his friend Judson who has played since he was a child.
This first hangout would eventually lead to house shows, opening for Arcy Drive, and performing at a music festival in Mexico.
Like most bands, Blue Hour was birthed out of friendship and a passion for music. And just like most bands, Blue Hour had one of its first growing pains recently after having to kick former lead singer Julian out of the band due to creative differences and scheduling. When asked about the topic, Ashton seemed very sad and hesitant talking about it. He told Respect My Region, that the process has been tough especially because Julian is still someone he considers a friend. However this is a bridge most people within the music industry have to cross eventually.
Blue Hour also talked about their view on the music industry. Judson, the drummer, expressed his thought that most people want to be musicians because they can’t work a real job. This is a very interesting point, especially in today’s culture where fame seems easily attainable with many celebrities and cultural icons seemingly having no talents yet still being “famous”. The Blue Hour drummer also touched on how many people are in music for the wrong reasons. “I’ve played shows and there was no one there, it’s not about the crowd. It’s about the love for music.”
Blue Hour has seen its fair share of small crowds, but recently that has been changing. The band recently performed at a Music Festival in Mexico and is constantly opening for bigger bands and venues in the SoCal area. Their beachy, indie vibe is perfect for a large audience. Blue Hour started as a cover band, and they still play covers, but they are releasing more of their own tracks such as Hideaway and Dirty Laundry.
Blue Hour’s biggest song, “July“, is one of their best.
Respect My Region did an interview with Blue Hour’s new lead singer Ashton Tomas. We also followed them around for a day before a show and we will be releasing a 14 minute video soon getting to know the San Diego based band. Here is a quick sneak peak
Respect My Region: You said earlier off camera, sometimes it feels like you guys are coworker. So when does it feel like work and when does it feel like playing music with your friends?
Ashton: Well we are best friends. But we are working together on something, so ideas do get in the way. We have to see what is best for the project, so sometimes you have to get your point across…and it happens to everyone, everyone gets beat down for something, it happens. But coworkers no. Bandmates you could say I guess
When it comes to playing shows, do you ever reach out to venues or bands?
No. Not at all
How does that work then, how do they find you?
I have no idea. I guess our songs get on playlists. Like our one song “July” is our flagship. It just hit 200k, so that is pretty good, so people might know that song and I guess they are just like get those guys. I guess the local venues know that or local bands reach out I guess. So I feel like that’s how most of it happens.
How did you make your song “July”?
It was our first song ever.
Are you serious?
Yah like first song we have ever recorded and it kinda blew up. A tik tok kinda blew up, but it still just get listens and listens and listens .
How do you feel about how the music when it comes to advertising your music and tik tok?
Oh God. I hate it. I hate it so much. It’s just not music, it’s like some external thing. It’s not music to go in front of a camera and being like “hey go listen to this”. We still do it because it’s sadly what works….sometimes. But I wish it was just (about the) music but it isn’t how it is. And we are really bad about (posting on social media) and we don’t post ever, but we have a few things that blew up, well I guess not blew up but got some traction.
So is doing the social media something you feel like you guys don’t need to do right now?
No we totally need to do it, we want to grow, but bro we just hate it. We hate going in front of a camera going “blah blah blah listen to this”.
You guys have a new song out correct?
Yah it’s called Hideaway, it’s the first song where I am lead singing on it.
Did you write the whole song or was it a collaborative effort?
Um, I wrote all the lyrics pretty much, but of course I got help. Everything is collaborative, but I got the idea for half the song and the main riff.
How did you come up with the idea for it?
Ashton: Well it is about like being in someone’s hometown, like a girlfriend’s hometown, and like being in their hideaway I guess. Like being in their place, I was actually visiting my girlfriend’s hometown and got the idea.
How did you complete the whole idea for the song?
It takes so much time. You just kinda knock stuff down, you are like this is good, this is corny. The finished product will never be what you want. I feel like I will never get something to where I want. Like it will never be perfect, so it is hard to know when something is done. So you just kinda have to do it.
So when do you guys know when to put something out or when a song is done?
We just kinda book a studio time and we think “Ok well whatever happens, happens” Whatever we get (done in the studio) it is what it is. We have had songs that did not work out, so we didn’t release them.
Do you think that is a blessing by not having a home studio or not taking that route, because I know a lot of artist struggle with trying to make things perfect.
It is nice to just done and be like we went (in the studio) and tried something and, even if it doesn’t work out at least we tried something…We aren’t paying for a whole bunch of studio time because it is expensive and it takes a lot to get in there and record two songs. It takes like a whole day. We can’t just make a song in an hour.
So you have everything prepared before you get to the sessions?
Ashton: For the most part but of course you have to be spontaneous sometimes. If an idea works in the studio or doesn’t work then that is what it is and we change it.
Do you think you will ever stopping playing music or give (Blue Hour) up
Oh no. I could see myself playing music forever. I could see myself playing in a dad cover band because music is just fun. The way I see it, I am putting my time into (Blue Hour) right now and I enjoy it. I love music and I don’t think I will ever give it up. I am not even thinking about it. If too much gets in the way then yeah maybe, but the way things are going I don’t think anything will (get in the way). I really don’t even think about it. This has gone farther then I have ever expected it to.
Where did you expect it to go?
Ashton: I just expected to play house shows at SDSU then all of a sudden we are getting flown out to Guadalajara for a music festival. So I am happy with things right now, I’m fine with the time I am giving it right now.
