This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Point Park chapter.
Photo by Samantha Tarr
Festival goers at Pittsburgh’s tour date were caught in a massive downpour that led most to seek cover underneath the main stage at First Niagara Pavilion. Thousands of people crammed together to wait out the storm- just in time for PVRIS’s set. Those who hadn’t heard of the Massachusetts-originated electronic/experimental rock group before were in for one hell of a show that was guaranteed to turn first-time listeners into fans.
Her Campus Point Park had the exclusive opportunity to chat with the band’s lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, 21-year-old Lyndsey Gunnulfsen (better known as Lynn Gunn):
Photo by Samantha Tarr
HC: In honor of Vans Warped Tour’s 21st anniversary this year, if there was a drink named after PVRIS, what would it consist of?
LG: “Probably some tequila… and Red Bull… I don’t know! I want it to be some kind of tropical drink. Maybe children’s blood.”
HC: PVRIS has definitely been taking off lately! From touring internationally to recording your first studio album and filming music videos, what is your favorite aspect of being a musician and why?
LG: “I just like writing and creating, being able to make something and share it. And people either enjoy it or they don’t, but when they enjoy it, it’s usually a pretty good feeling! I just like the whole creative aspect; it’s a very good outlet. I’d probably be doing bad things if I wasn’t [writing music].”
HC: Your band recently received the title of ‘Best International Newcomer’ at the Relentless Kerrang! awards. Was that a surreal win?
LG: “It was cool! We’ve never won anything, like, ever. I hate that music is made into a competition, but it was pretty honorable to win.”
Photo by Cassandra Stovash
HC: PVRIS originally started out with some different members, but the three of you are clearly the perfect formula for success! Tell me about the band’s dynamic:
LG: “We’re very comedy-based; don’t let the pictures and the moody videos fool you! We’re very happy and positive people. Brian, our bassist, is always laughing at everything and cracking jokes. Alex is very quiet, but when he and Brian get together, they plot out really funny scenarios, so the two of them are very devious! I’m a little more on the serious side, but I’m still goofy and sarcastic. Being humorous is how we get through a lot of stuff, keep sane, and keep together.”
HC: What is your key to confidence, whether it’s onstage, with your style, or in every day life?
LG: “It’s one of those things where if you think you look good, or you think you sound good, or you think you’re doing good, or if you think you’re the sh*t, you feel like that. I’m kind of self-conscious at times, so I know what it’s like to struggle with that, but someone told me once that if you think you’re rocking it, you’re rocking it. But don’t get a big head! Always stay humble.”
HC: A lot of your songs, such as “My House” and “Ghosts,” have a spooky vibe to them. Are you interested in horror and scary movies?
LG: “Oh yeah! We’re always watching horror movies on the road, or looking up articles on ghostly places and haunted locations.”
Photo by Cassandra Stovash
HC: So if a PVRIS song could be featured in any scary movie remake, which would you want it to be?
LG: “Poltergeist would have been perfect! It sucks because we didn’t know it was being remade until a couple weeks before we released the video of ‘White Noise.’ Or I’d really like to do something with American Horror Story.”
HC: What other bands/artists does PVRIS have close friendships with on Warped Tour?
LG: “A lot! We have a lot of scattered friends. We’re pretty good friends with the Palisades dudes, Our Last Night, Citizen, Mallory Knox, Beautiful Bodies, blessthefall, Transit, The Wonder Years, and Handguns.”
HC: What is the coolest or craziest thing a fan has ever done to get your attention?
LG: “This wasn’t for my attention- my attention was already there. We had about an hour before I had to play [at one of the CA tour dates], and this girl said she just came from Disney, which was literally an exit away from the venue. And I was like, ‘Sh*t, I’ve never been there!’ So she said, ‘I will take you right now. I have passes, we’ll get you in, on a ride, and back before your set.’ And I was like, ‘I don’t know why, but I trust you.’ So we made it happen! We got in there, sprinted to Space Mountain, somehow convinced them to let us cut the line, rode the ride, and got back with 20 minutes to spare. It was pretty awesome.”
Photo by Cassandra Stovash
HC: From a musician’s perspective, what advice do you have for Point Park students who want to work in the business end of the music industry?
LG: “It’s all about persevering, being nice to people, and making connections. You can be the most talented person in the world, but if you’re a complete a*****le, no one’s gonna want to work with you. Work hard and always envision it. Those two things go very hand in hand!”
Photo by Samantha Tarr