.jpg)
The Workshop at WP
An online publication made for creatives, by creatives.
2024 has proven to be the year of some of the best music of the decade, so far. The industry has spread far and wide in genre and production, leaving plenty of room for anyone to join in and let their creative juices flow. Whether you are a consumer or creator, there are plenty of artists out there with unique sounds and enticing lyrics waiting to be heard. Here in Seattle, septet, Hard Maybe, is definitely a name worth remembering if you are in the market for a fresh, new sound to enjoy.
​
Hard Maybe consists of seven members, with Monica Parshotam on lead vocals and keys, Troy Bohman also on lead vocals and bass, Jeanie Marinella on backing vocals, Sam Jaeger on guitar, Rebekah Way on saxophone, Daniel Lombard on trumpet, and Alex Roemmele on drums.
​
​
​​Originating in Bellingham, Monica and Daniel originally started working together in a singer-songwriter band called Momo Grace. After personnel changes, the sound shifted from folk to soul and jazz, and the group rebranded to Motus in 2017. A few years later, as they continued to explore their sound and image, the band relocated to Seattle in 2018 and finally transitioned to Hard Maybe in 2022, with all of its current members.
​
As for defining a genre, Hard Maybe, classifies themselves as neo-soul and funk, with heavy influences from artists like Hiatus Kaiyote, D’Angelo, and J Dilla. Layered vocals, spunky guitar hits, artful drumming, and a jazz-heavy horn section really round out their sound. Each member is responsible for writing most of their own parts separately, then they come together to collaborate and hone in on their signature jazz-fusion timbre.
​
When it comes to equipment, each member has their ride-or-die selections: Nord and Korg keyboards, Fender guitars, a Roland Space Echo, and Coles Ribbon Mics are just a few of the band’s favorites. As for pre-show rituals and warm ups, the members each have their own way of getting hyped. Monica, Troy, and Jeanie will do a few vocal warmups, and Monica will do the “Momo speed run” where she runs through the set at hyperspeed. They just began adapting a pre-show huddle to get excited and unified before performing together. During the huddle, the band also decides two words to describe the set that night to set the tone.
​
Hard Maybe has performed with several local Seattle artists, including: The Polyrhythmics, Cytrus, General Mojo’s, Biddadat, La Fonda, Breaks and Swells, Terra Nobody, and Heavy Bloom. When asked what the band couldn’t live without, its members’ responses ranged from friendship and connection to music and songwriting, and everything in between.
Looking deeper into the band and its members, the group prioritizes solidarity for POC, women of color, Black Lives Matter, Palestine, LGBTQIA+ rights, and anyone struggling with their mental health. With a mix of queer, multiracial, and neuro-divergent identities and backgrounds in the band as well as their own struggles with mental health, Hard Maybe aims to strengthen human connection and instill courage through their music.
Hard Maybe is currently recording their first full-length album all DIY-style. The band primarily records at Troy, Monica, and Alex’s house in Kenmore, where they also rehearse. They record all over the home, from in the living room to the garage, with Alex as their producer, engineer, and mixer. The album is expected to be released next year.
​
The band just finished up their Out West Tour, with performances in California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. They have upcoming show dates at Commercial Street Block Party in Bellingham on August 9th, Kulshan Trackside Beer Garden in Bellingham on August 15th, Fremont Abbey in Seattle on August 16th, and Oak Harbor Music Festival on August 30th. You can follow the band for updates on Instagram at @hardmaybemusic or at their website www.hardmaybe.band.
The name may be Hard Maybe, but the music will always be a hell yes.