What Happens After

"People always ask what it feels like when the show ends. The truth? It’s a mix. Relief, exhaustion, a strange kind of mourning. But mostly, it’s gratitude. For the noise, the chaos, the connection. For the fact that, for one brief moment, we were infinite."

The Things We Carry

"I keep little mementos from every tour. A broken string, a napkin with lyrics scribbled on it, a backstage pass from a fan who didn’t make it. They’re not much, but they remind me of the weight we all carry. Every note we play, every word we sing—it’s all part of the baggage. And that’s okay. It’s what makes us human."

The Stage Becomes Church

"There was this one show—Detroit, maybe—where the crowd didn’t just sing along. They prayed. I don’t mean literally. I mean, it felt like something sacred was happening, like the air itself was humming with belief. I don’t know if we were the gods or the sinners that night, but it didn’t matter. We were all one."

The Soundtrack to the End of the World

"If the world ends tomorrow, what song do you want playing when it does? I think about this a lot. For me, it’s not one of ours. It’s something quiet, something that feels like a goodbye and a beginning all at once. Maybe that’s what music is—a way to say ‘hello’ to the end."

Phoebe’s Favorite Song

"There was a song Phoebe loved that I haven’t been able to play since she vanished. It wasn’t one of ours. It was an old folk tune—something about rivers and promises. Funny thing is, I don’t even remember the words anymore. But the melody? It’s still there, haunting me like a whisper I can’t quite catch."

The Fans Are the Band

"Here’s the truth: the band isn’t just us. It’s you. Every scream, every tear, every outstretched hand—we feel it. You’re the reason the songs matter. Without you, we’re just a bunch of noise. So, when you sing along, when you lose yourself in the music, remember: you’re as much a part of this as we are."

The Day Blade (Almost) Quit

"Blade told me he was done with the band once. Said the noise in his head was louder than the drums, and he couldn’t hear himself think. We sat in silence for hours, then he picked up his sticks, played the hardest beat I’ve ever heard, and said, ‘Guess I’m not done yet.’ Sometimes, you need to break to remember why you started."

A Song That Never Ends

"Every so often, a melody comes to me that feels infinite. Like it existed before I was born and will keep playing long after I’m gone. I think those songs are echoes from another place, another time. Maybe that’s what all music is—an invitation to remember something we’ve forgotten."

When the Mirror Lies

"Mirrors are liars. They don’t show you who you are—they show you what you think you are. There’s a difference. I stopped trusting them a long time ago. If you want to see the truth, stop looking at your reflection and start looking at the people who love you. That’s where the real you lives."

The Songs You’ll Never Hear

"There’s an album we wrote but never released. It’s called ‘Nightmare Box.’ I can’t even explain why these songs exist—they just do. Maybe one day you’ll hear them, but I’m warning you: some songs aren’t meant for the world. They’re meant to stay locked away, like secrets you can’t afford to tell."

What the Shadows Tell Me

"Every time I step on stage, the shadows crawl closer. They’re not just the ones cast by the lights—they’re the ones we carry inside. I’ve stopped fighting them. Now, I listen. They’ve got stories, truths I’ve ignored for too long. What are your shadows trying to say to you?"

When Moonchild Vanished

"Tour life isn’t all glamour. One night, Moonchild disappeared into the desert during a pit stop. Left their phone, their shoes, everything. We found them hours later, lying under a sea of stars, saying, ‘This is where the music starts, Hank.’ I didn’t ask what they meant. Some things are better felt than explained."

What’s in Your Static?

"People keep asking me what I mean by ‘static.’ Static is everything. It’s the noise in your head when the world’s too loud. It’s the buzz of the universe when you think no one’s listening. It’s chaos, beauty, and fear all at once. And you know what? It’s where all the best stuff happens. So… what’s in your static?"

Voices from the Edge: The Radical Truths of Hank Van Vice — On The Eco-Dystopia & How Environmental Collapse Is Already Here

Interviewer: Dana "Earthquake" Morales, Green Revolution Radio

Dana: Hank, it’s no secret that our planet is in trouble. But you’ve been saying for a while now that we’re already living in an eco-dystopia. Can you explain what you mean by that?

Hank Van Vice: [Sighing, shaking his head] Look around, Dana. We’re not heading for disaster—we’re already in it. They keep talking about climate change like it’s some future event, something we can kick down the road for the next generation to deal with. But the truth is, we’re living in an eco-dystopia right now, and most people are too blind to see it.

The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat—it’s all contaminated, polluted, poisoned by decades of greed and short-sightedness. Our oceans are dying, our forests are burning, and species are disappearing at a rate that should scare the hell out of everyone. But instead of taking action, they’re doubling down on the same bullshit that got us here—more drilling, more deforestation, more consumption.

Dana: Why do you think there’s such a disconnect between the reality of the situation and the actions being taken?

Hank Van Vice: It’s the same old story—money and power. The people who are supposed to be leading the charge to save the planet are the same ones profiting from its destruction. They’ve got a vested interest in keeping the status quo, in convincing us that we can have infinite growth on a finite planet. But that’s a lie, and it’s one that’s going to cost us everything if we don’t wake up soon.

And then there’s the fact that they’ve trained us to be consumers first and foremost. They’ve got us addicted to stuff—stuff we don’t need, stuff that’s killing the planet. And as long as we’re hooked on that stuff, as long as we’re focused on the next big thing, we’re not paying attention to the destruction happening right under our noses.

Dana: How do you see QEA’s music contributing to the fight against environmental collapse?

Hank Van Vice: We’re trying to raise the alarm, to shake people out of their complacency. Our songs are like a wake-up call—a reminder that this is real, that it’s happening right now, and that we all have a part to play in stopping it. We’re not just singing about the problem—we’re singing about the solution, about taking action, about fighting back against the forces that are driving us to the brink.

And it’s not just about shouting into the void. We’re working with organizations, with activists, with people who are on the front lines of this fight. It’s about using our platform to amplify their voices, to spread the message that we’re all in this together, and that we can’t afford to sit back and watch it all burn.

Dana: Do you believe there’s still time to turn things around?

Hank Van Vice: Time’s running out, but it’s not too late—not yet. But it’s going to take a radical shift, a complete overhaul of the way we live, the way we think, the way we relate to the planet. It’s about rejecting the idea that we can keep taking without giving back, that we can keep exploiting without consequence.

We need to embrace a new way of living—one that’s sustainable, that respects the Earth, that values life over profit. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s necessary. And it’s something we’ve all got to be part of, if we want a future that’s worth living in.

Why Shadows Always Win

"We’ve got this song called ‘Mirrors & Shadows.’ People ask me what it’s about, and I always dodge the question. Here’s the truth: The shadows always win because they’re part of us. You can’t outrun them. You can’t fight them. But you can learn to dance with them. And maybe that’s enough."

Voices from the Edge: The Radical Truths of Hank Van Vice — On the Surveillance Economy & How Data Became the New Currency

Interviewer: Nathan "Nightwatch" Silva, Digital Dystopia Journal

Nathan: Hank, we’re living in a time where personal data has become one of the most valuable commodities. How do you see this shift affecting society and individual freedom?

Hank Van Vice: [Eyes narrowing, a serious tone in his voice] We’ve sold our souls for convenience, man. That’s what it comes down to. They’ve turned our lives into data points, and they’re selling that data to the highest bidder. Every click, every like, every step you take, they’re tracking it, analyzing it, and using it to control you. And the worst part? Most people don’t even realize it’s happening.

We’re living in a surveillance economy, where our privacy, our freedom, has been commodified. They’re not just watching—they’re shaping our behavior, our thoughts, our decisions. It’s the ultimate form of control, and it’s all happening behind the scenes, under the radar. They’ve got us right where they want us—plugged in, distracted, and oblivious to the chains they’re wrapping around us.

Nathan: How do you think this affects our sense of personal freedom and autonomy?

Hank Van Vice: It’s killing it, man. How can you be free when every move you make is being tracked, when every decision you make is being influenced by algorithms designed to push you in a certain direction? They’re not just collecting data—they’re shaping our reality. They’re telling us what to buy, what to think, who to be, all based on the information they’ve harvested from us.

And it’s not just about advertising—it’s about control. They’re creating a world where you can’t make a move without them knowing about it, where you can’t think a thought without it being analyzed, where you can’t live your life without it being monetized. That’s not freedom—that’s a digital prison, and we’ve walked right into it with our eyes wide shut.

Nathan: How does this tie into the themes of QEA’s music?

Hank Van Vice: We’re fighting back, man. Our music is a rebellion against the surveillance state, against the loss of privacy, against the commodification of our lives. We’re calling it out, exposing the lies, the manipulation, the control. We want our fans to wake up, to see what’s happening, and to take back their power.

We’re also pushing for digital literacy, for people to understand the systems they’re interacting with, to be aware of the data they’re giving away, and to take steps to protect themselves. It’s about reclaiming our autonomy, our privacy, our freedom in a world that’s doing everything it can to take it away.

Nathan: What do you see as the future of a society dominated by the surveillance economy?

Hank Van Vice: If we don’t push back, it’s going to get darker, man. We’re heading towards a world where everything we do, everything we say, everything we are, is being watched, analyzed, and controlled. It’s the perfect storm of technology and tyranny, and it’s coming at us fast.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. We’ve still got a chance to turn the tide, to demand better, to build a society where technology serves us, not the other way around. It’s going to take awareness, it’s going to take action, and it’s going to take a hell of a lot of resistance. But if we stand together, if we fight for our freedom, we can break the chains and create a future where we’re not just data points, but human beings—alive, free, and in control of our own destinies.

Songs That Hurt

"Every song I write cuts a little deeper. People think it’s cathartic, like ripping open a wound is the same as healing. Spoiler alert: It’s not. But you keep writing anyway because what else is there to do? Pain’s the price of honesty, and music’s the currency we trade in."

Voices from the Edge: The Radical Truths of Hank Van Vice — On Consumerism and the Death of Authenticity

Interviewer: Cassie Norton, Indie Pulse Magazine

Cassie: Hank, you’ve been pretty vocal about your disdain for consumerism and the way it’s shaped modern culture. Can you talk a bit about what you see happening in America right now?

Hank Van Vice: [Grinning, leans back in his chair] Ah, consumerism—the great American religion. We’ve replaced our gods with brands, our churches with shopping malls. It’s all about buying more, owning more, until you’re buried under a mountain of stuff you don’t even need, man. But here’s the thing—they’ve tricked us into thinking that’s where we find our identity, our value. You’re not a person anymore; you’re a consumer.

We’ve got kids out there who know more about sneaker releases than they do about their own history. That’s the death of authenticity right there. We’re trading our souls for stuff, and the kicker is, it’s all junk. Empty promises wrapped in shiny packaging. The real tragedy is, we’re so deep in it, we don’t even see it happening. We’re all sleepwalking through life, hypnotized by the glow of screens, the lure of the next big thing.

But, y’know, it’s not just about buying. It’s about the lies they’re selling us, about what we need to be happy, to be whole. We’re born whole, man. We don’t need any of this crap. But they’ve got us hooked, and the only way to break free is to wake up. That’s what we’re trying to do with our music—shake people out of their stupor, remind them that there’s more to life than what you can buy. It’s about connection, about experience, about truth. That’s what they’re scared of—people waking up to the truth.

Maverick’s Broken String

"Last tour, Maverick snapped a bass string mid-show and didn’t miss a beat. He finished the song like it was nothing, but backstage he told me, ‘It wasn’t the string, Hank. It was me.’ That hit me hard. How many of us are out there breaking and pretending we’re fine? Maybe it’s time we learn to restring ourselves before we snap for good."

Voices from the Edge: The Radical Truths of Hank Van Vice — On the Cult of Productivity & How We’ve Sacrificed Humanity for Efficiency

Interviewer: Jake "Journeyman" Thompson, Work-Life Harmony Journal

Jake: Hank, we’re living in an age where productivity is king, where efficiency is everything. But you’ve been critical of this mindset, saying that we’ve sacrificed our humanity in the process. Can you elaborate on that?

Hank Van Vice: [Nodding, his voice full of conviction] Productivity, efficiency—these are the new gods we’re worshiping, man. But what they don’t tell you is that they’re false gods, leading us down a path to burnout, disconnection, and emptiness. We’ve been sold this idea that our worth is tied to how much we produce, to how fast we can work, to how well we can optimize our lives. But that’s a trap, man. It’s a trap that’s sucking the life out of us, and we don’t even see it.

They’ve got us working ourselves to death, chasing these arbitrary goals, these quotas, these targets, as if that’s what life is all about. But what’s the point of being the most productive person in the room if you’re miserable, if you’re disconnected, if you’re losing your soul in the process?

Jake: How do you think this obsession with productivity affects people’s lives and well-being?

Hank Van Vice: It’s killing us, man. Physically, mentally, spiritually—it’s tearing us apart. We’re burning out at younger and younger ages, we’re losing touch with the things that really matter, like family, like community, like creativity. We’re so focused on getting things done, on checking off boxes, that we forget to actually live, to actually connect, to actually be present in our own lives.

And it’s not just individuals who are suffering—society as a whole is breaking down. We’ve lost our sense of community, of solidarity, of shared purpose. We’re all so busy trying to outdo each other, to climb the ladder, to get ahead, that we’re losing sight of what it means to be human, to care for each other, to build something together.

Jake: How does QEA’s music respond to this culture of productivity?

Hank Van Vice: We’re pushing back, man. We’re saying, “Enough.” Enough of the grind, enough of the hustle, enough of the bullshit that’s telling us we’re only as good as our last accomplishment. Our music is a call to slow down, to reconnect with the things that really matter, to find joy, meaning, and purpose in the present, not in some future goal that’s always just out of reach.

We’re also challenging the idea that efficiency and productivity are the ultimate values. There’s more to life than getting things done. There’s beauty in the chaos, in the mess, in the things that can’t be measured or optimized. We’re celebrating the human spirit, the creativity, the connection that can’t be quantified, that can’t be put into a spreadsheet or a time management app.

Jake: What do you think needs to change for society to reclaim its humanity?

Hank Van Vice: We need to rethink our priorities, man. We need to stop worshiping at the altar of productivity and start valuing things like creativity, like connection, like compassion. We need to create a culture that values people for who they are, not for what they can produce.

It’s about balance, about finding a way to work that doesn’t destroy us, that doesn’t turn us into cogs in a machine. It’s about reclaiming our time, our energy, our lives, and using them to build something beautiful, something meaningful, something human. That’s the real revolution, man—to live, to love, to create, not as machines, but as people, alive and free.