Formed in the central coast of California in 2014, alternative folk group The Simple Parade creates music that is as fluid and free as the ocean waters they were bred from. Led by singer/songwriter Justin Hooper, this musical project speaks to the rawest parts kept hidden with their feel-good, acoustic-driven tunes.
Since his time in high school choir, where his school was one of three in the nation selected to sing in Carnegie Hall, Justin Hooper felt a passion for songwriting, guitar, and piano, and throughout the years of ups and downs, music has always been the shining light he has always felt compelled to share with others.
Justin (sometimes joined by a full backing band) performs and resides in Colorado, much of The Simple Parade’s music was written in and is inspired by their time in California, with songs based off his relationships along the coast. Inspired by the thick lyricism and evocative vocals of artists such as: Simon & Garfunkel, Brandi Carlile, Coldplay, The Civil Wars, and Chris Stapleton, The Simple Parade works to ask questions and tackle topics that many people ponder, but rarely talk about.
Fresh out of the gate, the debut single, “Confetti” (2014) earned Hooper the New Times Music Award, while the first full album A Love Story (2016) earned several awards, such as the Great American Songwriting Award for “Heartstrings” and the Akademia Award for Best Americana Song for “Go With You.” With an impressive set of achievements and a humble disposition, the band continues to spread their word throughout the Rocky Mountains. The newest singles and music videos, “Going Through Something,” (released November 2018) and "Broken Beauties" (released February 2019) is just the first taste of what is to come from their upcoming album, Seeker, to be early 2020.
It is so easy to get caught in the mindset of moving in life’s rigid assembly line, or tinkering along its immovable traffic jam. But the hope is instead to enjoy the simple thrill of the parade, where everyone has their own unique part to play. One’s parade should stem from the relationships they make along the way, and though the march is rarely easy, it never has to be made alone.
The Simple Parade is set to release their upcoming album Seeker in Summer 2019. In the meantime, they will continue to hit the Colorado roads, performing at venues, festivals, and wineries/breweries along the way.