Mazzy Star The Tragic Story Of The Band Behind Fade Into You, David Roback, Hope Sandoval

Summary

Mazzy Star's 90s sleeper hit 'Fade Into You,' from their 1993 album 'So Tonight That I Might See,' became an anthem for lovelorn teens and was featured in over 30 films and TV shows. The band's core members, David Roback and Hope Sandoval, shared a deep musical connection, crafting dreamy, melancholic tunes influenced by 60s psychedelia. Despite their success, they maintained a low profile, and after their 1996 album 'Among My Swan,' Mazzy Star went on a long hiatus. They reunited in 2013, but sadly, Roback passed away in 2020, leaving a lasting impact on modern music.

Takeaways

• 🎵 **Mazzy Star** gained fame in the early 90s with their hit single 'Fade Into You,' which became an anthem for lovelorn teenagers and was featured in over 30 movies and TV shows.
• 🎸 The band was formed by **David Roback**, a talented multi-instrumentalist, and **Hope Sandoval**, a breathy vocalist who wrote most of the band’s lyrics.
• 🎨 Before becoming a musician, **David Roback** was initially focused on becoming a painter and was influenced by the New York art scene in the late 70s.
• 👥 Roback and Sandoval shared a unique, almost telepathic connection, which contributed to the band’s distinctive sound.
• 💿 Mazzy Star released their debut album, *She Hangs Brightly*, in 1990, which gained critical acclaim and even caught the attention of Kurt Cobain.
• 🎙️ The band’s biggest hit, *Fade Into You*, was part of their 1993 sophomore album *So Tonight That I Might See*, which went platinum in the US.
• 🤝 Before Mazzy Star, Roback and Sandoval were involved in separate music projects, with Roback co-founding bands like **Rain Parade** and **Opal**, and Sandoval being part of **Going Home**.
• 💔 Mazzy Star went on hiatus after their third album *Among My Swan* (1996), which was less commercially successful, with Sandoval expressing frustrations over record label pressures.
• 🌍 After a long hiatus, Mazzy Star reunited in 2012 and released *Seasons of Your Day* in 2013, which marked a career-high for the band in the UK.
• 😢 David Roback passed away from cancer on February 24, 2020, marking the end of an era for the band. Hope Sandoval paid tribute with a heartfelt poem, highlighting the emotional impact of his loss.

Q & A

Who were the key members of Mazzy Star?

The key members of Mazzy Star were David Roback, a multi-instrumentalist and the primary songwriter for the band's music, and Hope Sandoval, who wrote most of the lyrics and was the band's distinctive vocalist.

What was the band's most famous song, and when was it released?

Mazzy Star's most famous song was 'Fade Into You,' which was released in 1993 on their sophomore album 'So Tonight That I Might See.'

What was unique about the songwriting process between Roback and Sandoval?

Roback and Sandoval shared a deep, almost telepathic connection while writing music. According to Sandoval, they often did not need to speak to understand each other’s creative intentions.

What were some of David Roback’s early influences before he became a musician?

Before becoming a musician, David Roback was inspired by the New York art scene in the late 70s, but he found himself more drawn to the music of artists like Patti Smith and Television.

What was Hope Sandoval's early musical background?

Hope Sandoval grew up in East LA as the youngest of ten children. In the early 80s, she formed a group called 'Going Home' with her friend Sylvia Gomez.

How did Sandoval and Roback start collaborating on music?

After Sylvia Gomez gave Roback a demo tape of her and Sandoval's band 'Going Home,' Roback offered to produce their first album. Later, when Kendra Smith left Roback's band Opal, Sandoval replaced her as the vocalist.

What genre influences can be heard in Mazzy Star's music?

Mazzy Star's music was influenced by the Paisley Underground, a California movement combining psychedelic sounds with rich vocals. They also drew inspiration from 60s groups like 'Love' and 'The Byrds.'

Why was 'Fade Into You' not intended as a nostalgic song?

Despite its dreamy sound and lyrics about longing, Roback explained that 'Fade Into You' was not intended to be nostalgic. Instead, it reflected the present, inspired by the band's experiences of walking around the city and on the beach.

Why did the band go on hiatus after releasing 'Among My Swan'?

The band went on hiatus after the release of 'Among My Swan' due to creative differences with Capitol Records. Hope Sandoval expressed frustration with the label’s formulaic approach to producing music that aimed for commercial success.

How did David Roback’s death impact Mazzy Star and Hope Sandoval?

David Roback's death in 2020 from cancer marked a tragic end for the band. Hope Sandoval shared a heartfelt poem mourning his loss, reflecting on their long-standing creative partnership and the emotional connection they shared.