Today we’d like to introduce you to Crimson Overtone.
Hello Crimson Overtone, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Crimson Overtone is a metal band from Marietta, Georgia. The members include vocalist Christina Hagle; guitarist Evan Eleazer; bassist/guitarist Rob Edwards; and drummer Alex Arguelles. We didn’t start as a band typically does. Like each of us, our beginning is unique. One of the most incredible things about Crimson Overtone is that we are an assortment of mismatched misfits. We came from various backgrounds and life experiences, all leading us to the same place: Celebrate Recovery. We were struggling with the aftermath of addiction, abuse, and intense mental health struggles, leading to the predictable outcome of broken families, broken minds, and everything! We had to acknowledge that we could not control our tendency to do the wrong thing and that our lives were unmanageable. We had to admit that it would take a power greater than ourselves to restore us to sanity.
Christina was walking through her 12-Step program when she felt compelled to play an original song for her small group. They asked her to record the song for them, which prompted Christina to reach out to the music director in search of musicians who could help give her melody life when she recorded the song on her phone.
This would later be known as “the greatest miscommunication of [her] life” because Rob, the music director at the time, heard the word “record” and immediately thought of Evan. Evan was doing basic production work then, and Rob saw an opportunity with this music to do something new. Rob encouraged a very timid Christina to meet with him to discuss the possibility of recording professionally and pursuing music as a career. After some deliberation and a lot of prayers, Crimson Overtone was born.
As a new band, we used this time to hone skills, write a ton of music, grow closer as a band, get a manager, educate ourselves on the entertainment industry, and adjust our sound. This was all happening just before the pandemic, and wouldn’t you know it, as soon as we practiced and wrote songs, everything came to a screeching halt. We didn’t let this get to us. The people that met that day to talk about recording a song are different from those you see on stage or hear in the music today. Yes, we are those people, but the transformation we have all gone through is incredible.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
No, it has not been smooth at all. Finding our spot in each other’s lives as bandmates and friends is tough. Our biggest priority is communication, and it’s also our biggest struggle! We all have very different personalities, lives, and perspectives from past traumas, making it difficult for each of us to connect on a deeper level. Still, as a band of believers with a vision to use our traumas to help others, and due to how we write our music, we have had to be more intentional with this. Honestly, that is the main reason we’re still together. Being open to being vulnerable with each other has allowed us to be more understanding of our differences and form a strong bond. Our most important goal is the message of our music, which conveys the hope and healing we have all received. We all agree that keeping that bond sacred will be the key to our success. Otherwise, the music is just words and notes on paper.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
History and motivation: Our music history is very eclectic, literally all over the map. Evan started on the piano and progressed to the saxophone, then to guitar, where he ventured into classic rock, grunge, nu-metal, etc. Evan was in a band, Paralandra, in the early 2000s and is a certified Audio Engineer. Christina is a classically trained vocalist and certified vocal teacher with theatrical experience with Off-Broadway. She also plays several instruments of the string and brass variety. Christina writes most of our music, and her vocals bring them to life! Alex is a straight-up old-school death metal rocker and was a drummer in the band Frank’s Enemy during the 90s. Alex began playing drums as a teen after seeing a worship band play live. He is also the gearhead of the group; you should see his drums! Rob’s hard rock and metal roots return to jamming with his dad’s band, learning guitar from age seven. A few years ago, Rob picked up the bass, mastered it quickly, and now he’s rocking out with us on bass and has recently added the 7-string guitar. As far as our motivation, it’s pretty simple. We want to communicate truth and hope in the most creative and relevant way possible. We have been down in the dirt like everyone else, but there is hope to bring anyone through it. People need that; we need that.
What is (the band) known for?
We are known for a couple of things. The first is a good stage show; it is high energy, fun, and excellently orchestrated without being “staged.” The second thing we are known for is our unique style. We are always trying to blend solid old-school writing with a currently relevant feel. What we end up with is a little different, a big sound with a classic lifespan that still correlates with the expectations of modern artists today.
What is (the band) most proud of?
Musically, it’s the sterling talent and thoughtfulness we put into our music. We draw from many influences and styles, so we enjoy being able to musically tip our hats to some of our favorite artists and influences without treading on any toes. Many of our songs have developed the vibe of certain artists as we go along. With some of the songs, it’s been the goal at the onset. It provides a metric, if you will, by which to measure what it will feel like in the end, generally. We’ve heard folks say we remind them of this big band or that big artist, and that’s humbling. It gives us hope that we’re on the right path to one day jamming with those artists we admire so much. Somewhat mimicking musical heroes is likely how all bands start, but it’s been fun to see ours not only begin there but grow and take on its own life and identity. Where the music ends, the message stays, and we must admit that our music is the carrier of a compelling message to those who need it. Our songs, the process of writing them and performing them, is just as healing for us as we desire it is for others. No matter where we serve or to whom we give an interview, we strive to be consistent with our integrity, our character, our artistry, and our message.
What sets (the band) apart from others?
It is our goal and specific focus to be unlike everyone else in the genre, as in we don’t want to produce the status quo at all, previous mention of hat tipping aside. There has been some pushback over that! The big-time bands/artists are big because they are different. Somehow, they stand out. It’s wasted energy if it’s not unique in some way. We try to minimize the cliché in music, lyrics, and overall sound. It is risky, and it can be argued that not every song attains that, but it is a never-ending challenge and focus. If you stray too far, you may stand out, but if it’s not familiar or engaging, there’s no groove, no way to connect with your fans. It’s quite the challenge and learning process, and we’re up for it. How can we more creatively put together a lyrical and musical concept while remaining engaging and relevant without being cliché? If you answer that, you’re on to something; a fascinating musical journey, and that’s the point.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
First, thank you so much for taking the time to know us and including us in your publication. As a band, we live in recovery, redemption, freedom, and finding a bigger purpose than ourselves. We want to let people know that it’s ok not to be ok (who is anyway?) and that it’s good to face our issues and ask for help while doing it. We want to take the stigma out of the struggles we all deal with, no matter what we call it, i.e., addiction, abuse, sin, hang-ups, dysfunction, generational curse, bad habits, etc., and get people talking about instead of hiding it. A popular adage in recovery says you’re only as sick as your secrets. There couldn’t be a truer statement regarding the mental health beliefs we, as humans, currently possess. We hope to catalyze change in this area and many others through our music and lives. Thank you!
Contact Info:
- Website: crimsonovertone.com
- Instagram: @crimstonovertoneband
- Facebook: Facebook.com/crimsonovertoneband
- Twitter: twitter.com/OvertoneCrimson
- Youtube: YouTube.com/crimsonovertoneband
- Other: TikTok @crimsonovertoneband and also anywhere you stream music
Image Credits
Acie Moody Photography of Acie Moody Enterprises (The first photo with “Crimson Overtone” in the background), Neesia Photography (The rest of the photos)
