In the ever-shifting landscape of alt-pop, few bands have carved out a space as conceptually rich and emotionally resonant as California trio half•alive. Composed of vocalist Josh Taylor, bassist J. Tyler Johnson, and drummer Brett Kramer, the Long Beach natives have built a reputation for blending sonic innovation with visual storytelling. Fresh off their Persona World Tour and a return to Lollapalooza with a performance on the Tito’s stage, half•alive continues to explore the intricacies of identity and perception. Their music doesn’t just play—it breathes, evolves, and dances, both literally and figuratively.
The band’s journey began with the 2017 3 EP, which sparked buzz through tracks like “The Fall” and “Awake At Night.” But it was their breakout single “still feel.” that catapulted them into the spotlight, earning Gold certification and becoming a defining moment in their creative identity. That track also marked the beginning of their signature integration of dance into their visual and live performances—a decision born from a simple experiment in a music video that quickly became central to their artistic DNA.
“We included dance for the first time in the Awake at Night music video and it just felt nice,” recalls Taylor. “So then the next one, we just went fully into that idea, and that ended up being our most popular song. It really allows us to play the music with confidence and have that as the foundation for everything.”
Their live shows are now known for top-notch choreography and immersive visuals, a fusion that sets them apart in the alt-pop genre. Having just wrapped their Persona World Tour, the band returned to Lollapalooza—this time with a sense of grounded confidence. “Lolla was one of our first festivals,” says Johnson. “So I think we’ve come back with more confidence. The music is gonna really translate well to this audience.”
Taylor adds, “It’s not like six years later we’re headlining the festival, but in our hearts, we’re headlining our own. We’re just way more confident going out on stage this time.”
That confidence is reflected in Persona, an album that explores what it means to be human—how personalities develop and how the outside world perceives us. The record is full of rich production, cohesive storytelling, and a sonic warmth that feels like a band playing together in a room. “The first album we hadn’t toured much,” Johnson explains. “The second leaned into a certain sound, but it was challenging to figure out how the songs fit live. So with the third album, we asked: how do we make it feel like a band’s in a room?”
The answer came through a focused collaboration with a single producer in Los Angeles, allowing the trio to hunker down and craft a unified sound. “It was the first time we did it with one producer,” Johnson says. “We could all lean into what we were hoping for from the album.”
Taylor echoes that sentiment: “The main inspiration was how to make it feel more grounded, more real, and like all the songs made sense with each other.”
Their songwriting process reflects that organic approach. Rather than starting with lyrics, they build from instrumental vibes, crafting stories on top of sonic textures. “Even if you weren’t to understand a single word, it should still feel like a great song,” Taylor says. “Then to have that actually make sense and be meaningful—that’s the final master step.”
When it comes to live favorites, each member has their own pick. Kramer loves “Lie Lie” for its natural flow and live energy. Taylor gravitates toward “Automatic,” which lets him “thrash around on stage.” Johnson enjoys “People” for its placement in the set and the dance elements that elevate the performance.
As for what they’re listening to lately, the trio’s tastes are as eclectic as their sound. Johnson recommends boylife, a project from a friend who worked on their early track “Beige.” Taylor suggests checking out Annika Bennett’s work, while Kramer keeps it classic with Justin Bieber—“Yeah, if you haven’t heard of Justin, check him out,” Taylor jokes.
With Persona, half•alive continues to push boundaries—not just musically, but philosophically. Their work is a living, breathing exploration of identity, perception, and connection. Whether on stage at Lollapalooza or in the studio crafting sonic landscapes, half•alive remains a band that’s very much alive—with purpose, with passion, and with a pulse that resonates far beyond the music.
Portraits by Ann Storlie
Interview by Ann Storlie and Sarah Peter
