According to the band’s Facebook page, Martin and Katz grew tired of the “general turbulence” that was a part of the music industry. Youngblood Hawke was created as an outlet where they could write and share music without the commercial pressures.

Biomedical laboratory science freshman Craig Renny said that though he believes most indie bands sound similar, Youngblood Hawke has their own flavor.

“They are just unique,” Renny said. “It’s hard to explain how their sound is so different.”

Fusion Shows is a concert-promotion company based in Lansing and is the company responsible for bringing Youngblood Hawke to The Loft. Fusion Shows co-owner Nate Dorough became a fan of the band after hearing their single “We Come Running.”

Dorough said that the band’s sound is familiar, but has its own twist to it.

“It fits in with what’s going on with the pop-alternative music,” he said. “But there’s a lot of diversity with the sound.”

“It’s really pop with an electronic feel to it,” he said. “(Fusion Shows) took to it right away.”
Renny discovered Youngblood Hawke when they opened for alternative band Passion Pit, whom he is a big fan of. He said that it is fun to watch the band perform.

“They bring energy with their performances, and it’s not that cheesy energy you get at most concerts,” he said.

Lyrically, the band touches on themes that are stimulating and elevating.

“(The lyrics) are about life struggles,” Renny said. “They … talk about how there is always light. (It’s) uplifting material I can relate to when I feel down.”

In Dorough’s opinion, the universal lyrics are what makes them such an accessible band.

“It’s cool because my wife is a dance teacher, and she’s using one of their songs in her dance recital, he said. “So it breaks into a wider demographic, it’s not for the indie snobs.”

In addition, Renny believes that the band’s passion has helped them become popular today.
“I feel they love to do what they do, even if they aren’t well known,” he said.