The Refrain Interview: Clearfight

Clearfight is an emotional pop-punk group cultivated across several state lines within the midwest area. With deeply intimate lyrics, passionate vocal melodies, and roaring guitars, the band is here to make an impact by creating heartfelt, melodic declarations surrounding topics like heartbreak, mental health, and trying to find positivity in difficult situations.

Clearfight has returned with their latest single, “Split Tongue”. The heartfelt track is a slickly produced slice of modern pop-punk for fans of Knuckle Puck and State Champs.

We had a chance to chat with Hunter Spano, singer of Clearfight, about the new single, the band, and more, as part of our Refrain Interview Series.

Refrain Music Blog: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. You have a

Refrain Music Blog: You have a new single out now. What’s it called?

Hunter Spano: Thank you for having me! Our new single is called “Split Tongue”.

RMB: What is the song about?

HS: Split Tongue is a song about how your mental health can almost feel like dealing with an ex that just won’t leave you alone no matter how much you ask and then accepting your struggles and recognizing your growth. My whole life whenever I’ve felt happy I’ve always had this voice in the back of my head putting me down but I think I’m finally realizing how much better I am now compared to years ago. As the song says, “I’ll just accept the weather, at least I’m getting better.”

RMB: Is this single part of an album?

HS: Split Tongue is a single but don’t worry we have a few surprises coming very soon.

RMB: How does this single differ from your previous work?

HS: I personally think one of the amazing things about our new releases we are working on is that, while each song has its own distinct sound, they all still contain the roots that we have established with our releases of Goldmine and Comfort In Your Skin.

RMB: What’s the story on how it was recorded?

HS: Our recording process is one of the most interesting thing about us. While our band is based out of Kansas City, I myself am located northwest Indiana. Whenever we record it’s a nice 9-hour drive and then work work work. I’ll get into town around 10pm and we will stay up until 4 in the morning if that’s what it takes to have the song come out perfect.

RMB: Tell us a little about the band.

HS: Well, we’re a 5 piece pop-punk band located in Kansas City. The band consists of me on vocals, Colt and Gabe on guitar, Lyle on bass, and Jake on drums. I met Colt on Facebook around August 2021 and he introduced me to all the other guys in the band. They had all either been friends or played music together prior to Clearfight so it was a very unique experience meeting them all and has led to some close friendships that I’ll hopefully carry with me the rest of my life.

RMB: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

HS: You know, that’s a very hard question to answer. Music has been in my blood ever since I was born so my influences are all across the board. I think the bands that have influenced me the most in my musical journey are Twenty One Pilots and With Confidence. Those bands helped me get through some of the toughest moments in my life.

RMB: What’s the one thing you are most proud of in your career so far?

HS: I’m most proud of the friends I’ve met along the way. Growing up I got bullied a lot and had trouble making friends so I stuck with friends for years that never truly cared or believed in me. I just didn’t realize that friends aren’t like that. I truly am lucky that I have made the friends that I have from playing music and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

RMB: If you had to pitch your music to a potential fan in less than 10 seconds, what would you say?

HS: I write my music the way I do because I want to help somebody just like other bands have helped me.

RMB: What’s one piece of advice you’ve gotten that you think everyone needs to hear or that has meant the most to you?

HS: The best advice I’ve ever gotten comes from my good friend Eli. I became friends with Eli when he was playing bass for I Prevail by just randomly adding and messaging him on Facebook one day. He actually fully supported me adding random musicians that inspired me on social media and that eventually led to me meeting Clearfight!

RMB: If you could go back in time, what’s a piece of advice you would give to a younger you?

HS: Stop being upset that your Dad wants you to be a musician someday. Eventually, you’ll gravitate towards it without him even pushing to.

RMB: What’s coming up next for your musical project?

HS: Well we have a few songs we’ve been hiding for a while planned and ready. I can’t talk about it just yet but it’s very exciting and I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to make these songs. I will say one has a feature from one of the sickest bands in the scene currently.

RMB: Anything we haven’t thought of that you want to talk about? Now is the time!

HS: I think all I have left to say is this: If you are interested in making music, or art in general, do it. There will always be people that put you down but as long as you are doing what makes you happy then others’ opinions don’t matter. Just keep doing you and if you love it enough you’ll find yourself feeling successful and happy.