Mazzy Star; Whatever happened to Hope Sandoval, The Voice Behind 'Fade Into You'

Summary

Mazzy Star, known for their 90's hit 'Fade Into You,' was a duo of multi-talented David Roback and ethereal vocalist Hope Sandoval. Their unique sound, influenced by psychedelic rock and a deep connection between the two, led to their music being featured in over 30 films and TV shows. Despite their success, they remained elusive, with Sandoval being particularly private. After a hiatus, Mazzy Star returned, but tragedy struck with Roback's passing in 2020. Sandoval continues to create, recently praising Miley Cyrus's cover and hinting at future musical endeavors.

Takeaways

• 🎵 Mazzy Star's song 'Fade Into You' became a defining anthem of the 90's, resonating with lovelorn teenagers and finding its way into over 30 movies and TV shows.
• 🤝 The creative partnership between David Roback and Hope Sandoval was integral to Mazzy Star's unique sound, with a deep, almost telepathic connection that transcended typical communication.
• 📝 Hope Sandoval's songwriting was heavily influenced by personal experiences and stories she collected by eavesdropping in public places, which she would then embellish.
• 🎶 The band's music was characterized by a pure sound and a distinct recording process that set them apart in the 90's music scene.
• 🏆 Despite their success, Mazzy Star maintained an outsider status, with Roback viewing popularity as frivolous and Sandoval being uncomfortable with performing live.
• 💔 The song 'Fade Into You' was not intended to be nostalgic but rather captured the feelings of heartache and longing in the present.
• 🌐 The band's music crossed generations, appealing to a wide demographic that wasn't confined to a specific age group.
• 📉 Mazzy Star's third album 'Among My Swan' was a commercial disappointment compared to their previous work, leading to Sandoval's desire to be released from their record label.
• 🕊️ After a long hiatus, Mazzy Star reunited in 2012, releasing the album 'Seasons of Your Day' and touring, which was a career high, despite the loss of their drummer Keith Mitchell in 2016.
• 🌑 Following David Roback's death in 2020, Hope Sandoval expressed deep grief, and the band's future became uncertain, with Sandoval looking forward to creating more music in the future.

Q & A

Which band is known for the early 90's sleeper hit 'Fade Into You'?

Mazzy Star is the band responsible for the early 90's sleeper hit 'Fade Into You'.

Who were the key members of Mazzy Star and what were their roles?

The key members of Mazzy Star were David Roback, who wrote most of the band's music and played multiple instruments, and Hope Sandoval, who wrote most of the lyrics and was the vocalist.

What was unique about Hope Sandoval's songwriting process?

Hope Sandoval liked to eavesdrop on conversations in restaurants and cafés to collect new stories, which she would then embellish at home in the evenings.

What was the name of Mazzy Star's 1993 album that featured 'Fade Into You'?

The 1993 album featuring 'Fade Into You' was called 'So Tonight That I Might See'.

How did the band's sound and recording process contribute to their music's purity?

The band's sound and recording process were pure due to their soulmate-like connection and the organic way they developed their music, often experimenting and coming together quickly during the songwriting process.

What was the nature of the relationship between David Roback and Hope Sandoval?

David Roback and Hope Sandoval had a deep, intuitive connection, often described as soulmate-like, and they sometimes communicated using what Sandoval referred to as 'telepathy'.

How did Mazzy Star's song 'Fade Into You' become popular in Hollywood?

The song 'Fade Into You' was licensed to more than 30 movies and television shows, leading to its popularity in Hollywood.

What were some of the challenges Hope Sandoval faced growing up?

Hope Sandoval grew up in a rough neighborhood in East LA, with a father who was a butcher and a mother who worked at a potato chip factory. She struggled in school, was not social with other students, and was put in special education classes.

What was the impact of Mazzy Star's debut album on the music scene?

Mazzy Star's debut album landed them a spot on Billboard’s alternative songs charts and was one of the strongest debut records of 1990, making the Top 10 on the CMJ New Music Report survey.

How did Mazzy Star's music evolve from their debut to their sophomore album?

Mazzy Star's music evolved from their debut album, which was well-received and landed them on various charts, to their sophomore album 'So Tonight That I Might See,' which produced their biggest hit 'Fade Into You' and went platinum.

What was the public's initial reaction to Mazzy Star's music and how did it change over time?

Initially, Mazzy Star's music was appreciated by a niche audience, but over time, with the release of 'Fade Into You,' they gained mainstream popularity, with the song becoming an anthem for lovelorn teenagers and being featured in numerous movies and TV shows.

What happened to Mazzy Star after their second album and why did they go on hiatus?

After their second album, Mazzy Star continued to tour and make television appearances, but they went on hiatus in 1997 because Sandoval and Roback were not in the mood to release music and wanted to work on other projects.