Esteemed Alumni / Lifetime Members
Joe Dahlen -- Everything, 2005 -- 2008
Kevin Davis -- Bass, 2006-2008
Cindy "Here Comes The Bass" Koh -- Bass, 2008-2008
Influences
A lot of love and hard work.
Sounds Like
LOOKING GOOD EP
2009 (digital only)
1. Looking Good
2. The Verge
3.Good at That
4. Dance Serene
5. She is a Jet
Check us out over at TheHardtoGet.com
Or follow us on Twitter @ thehardtoget
Bio
The Hard To Get (THTG) is the musical duo of Melissa Kaplan (guitar/lead vocals) and Tim Lee (drums/backup vocals). Formed in Los Angeles in 2006 as an indie rock outfit in the spirit of The Pixies and Sleater-Kinney, the band covered every venue from Echo Park to Venice. Their debut, self-released 2008 album, "This Is The New Business Plan," captured the band’s catchy, riff-driven songs while maintaining the hard, fast and electric feeling of their live shows. Their second EP, “Looking Good,” shows off the group’s eclectic side with a mix of more layers and even a quick venture into samba rock. Usually covering multiple genres in one set, the duo surprises an often one-trick pony LA rock scene with a passionate multi-layered sound and a revolving cast of guest players. Most THTG songs share a common thread of playful boy-girl harmonies, thoughtful lead and rhythm guitar progressions, and heartfelt melodic ideas.
THTG will be supporting their latest EP, “Looking Good,” with tours along the East and West coast throughout 2009. Check here and on their Web site for dates.
"Melissa Kaplan and Tim Lee, as the Hard to Get, play the girl-boy pop game pretty effectively, as their new EP, 'Looking Good,' testifies."
--Kevin Bronson, Buzz Bands
"The Hard to Get's Looking Good EP plays more like a full length piece of vinyl, with peaks and valleys, upbeat bubblegum and introspective heartbreak all wrapped up into one. Smack in the middle, Good at That is an excellent example of Melissa Kaplan's flawless guitar riffing and impressive vocal range. Dance Serene clearly demonstrates drummer Tim Lee's versatility and captures a samba vibe indistinguishable from music that would come straight from the heart of Brazil. How LA indie rockers can even think of pulling off a track like that and make it work is something to take note of. If truth in advertising matters, The Hard to Get are big fat liars. I get it and I like it."
--Jon Hershfield, Is Good Music
"The Hard to Get closed the night with a jaw-dropping set. This was the first time I got to see them live on stage and it was a stunner. If you could take your eyes off of Tim Lee's four or five arms (no way can he drum that way with only 2) or Melissa Kaplan's face-melting guitar work, you'd see an audience enamored."
--Jon Hershfield, Is Good Music
"On such a short set (about 20 minutes) with so many bright spots, it is difficult to choose a standout track, but I have done so anyway, and I’m going to go against the grain here. While in many ways, “Dance Serene” is the landmark track of Looking Good, it is the third song, “Good at That”, which has stuck with me from the moment of the first listen. Maybe it’s the sickeningly infectios “do do do” refrain, or the call and response style chorus. Or it could be the lyrics, which are terribly clever . . . I can’t really be sure, but I do know that this is clear cut, good songwriting and I like it."
--Eric Robertson, The Indie Handbook
"Funny, sarcastic, quick on their feet . . . I enjoyed them because it seemed like they were having fun, which crossed over into their music. Would I go see them again? Yes."
--Photolinguist
"Got 'Dance Serene' on loop in the car. Jesus, you guys are on fire."
--Kay Hanley, Letters to Cleo
"This music speaks to me. It’s quirky, it’s stylish and – most of all – it makes me think. Melissa and Tim sound like they’re enjoying every lick. Anyone can play music, but this is an enchanted vibe."
--Steve Chiotakis, Public Radio Host, Marketplace Morning Report
"The debut effort by Los Angeles pop group The Hard To Get, 'This Is The New Business Plan,' is a sweet, layered, occasionally raucous gem. The boy-girl vocals and careful instrumentation remind me of the shimmery, bittersweet music of 90s alt-pop band Velocity Girl, with noisy bits of Sleater-Kinney tossed in, mixing perfectly on the standout track, 'Buzzkill'. Recommended for fans of earnest, fun, indie pop."
--Massing Signals Against the Universe
"The Hard To Get are positive, polite, down to earth, and most importantly, punctual. They bring out a great crowd and can really make a room feel full with their ever-flowing energy."
--Rebecca Balin, Dramaturgy Booking & Promotions
Want to set up a show at The Relax Bar or the Blue Café? Send me a message and lets set something up or even better, bring out a demo to one of the shows
If we could have a couple minutes of your time, it would make a world of a difference to us in the Battle of the Bands competition. Help send us to the Finals. VOTE Viola Evolve!! thank you. =)
I’m also looking for bands for these shows: 9/1 Friar Tucks- Pomona: 9 and 1am 9/2 The Blue Café- Long Beach: 10 and 11PM 9/2 The Blue Café- Huntington Beach: 10 and 11PM 9/3 The Blue Café- Long Beach: 8 PM 9/3 The Blue Café – Huntington Beach: 8 and 10PM 9/8 Friar Tucks- Pomona9,10,11,12,1 9/9 The Blue Café- Long Beach: 11Pm 9/22 Friar Tucks Pomona: 10,11,12,1
Luvin the ep! Looking good is much too stuck in my head, but tell me something... Does LA take a little piece of your soul every now and then? You guys rock!
Sincerely,
WA
Come by and listen to the new song "Losing Streak" from my record "One and Only Maybe", produced by Michael Eisenstein, available for purchase from my page. Peace. Seth.
PS, I am looking for bands for these shows: 7/31- Blue Cafe - Long Beach 8:30 PM 8/4- Friar Tucks- Pomona- 10,11,1 8/11- Friar Tucks- Pomona 9,11,12,1 8/18- Friar Tucks- Pomona 9,12,1
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