HAUNTER DELIVER POP-ROCK EXCELLENCE WITH THEIR LATEST SINGLE “CATCH ME IF YOU CAN”
HAUNTER’s newest song is “for the mean girls,” lead vocalist Lucy LeNoir said of their newest single “Catch Me If You Can.” However, the lyrics resonate more with people discovering and harnessing their true potential, and leaving behind those who dimmed their light.
Graphic by Paige Firsten / Image provided by Haunter
HAUNTER is the passion project of LeNoir and guitarist Enoma Asowata, alongside Mike Ray and Mark Schroeder on bass and guitar, respectively. LeNoir had been touring in the metal scene for years prior to working in HAUNTER, a group more focused on alternative-pop music. LeNoir stated in a podcast appearance with “Unsigned Pop Punk” that the songwriting process differed from what she had experienced with metal bands previously, and has grown an appreciation for the production side of the industry.
“Catch Me If You Can” is a wonderfully crafted song that combines all the elements of a pop hit with the classic sounds of an alternative banger. Their new EP Game Boy, produced with Tyler Smyth (I Prevail, Lights, BlessTheFall) includes six tracks that are dubbed a “love letter to the outcasts.”
Crave had the chance to chat with Lucy Lenoir, lead vocalist of HAUNTER about their new EP and single, as well as the process behind making a pop-rock album.
CRAVE: You market “Catch Me If You Can” as an anthem for the ‘mean girls,’ are there any iconic Hollywood ‘mean girls’ (or misunderstood girls) you thought of when writing the song?
LENOIR: I honestly was putting myself in the shoes of being an iconic Hollywood mean girl. So me, just in the future. Hahaha. Ready to be iconic and do whatever I want until I die.
CRAVE: In September, Lucy talked about adjusting to creating and writing music from a pop perspective coming from a metal perspective. How has your experience in songwriting changed 10 months later?
LENOIR: It has definitely gotten easier over time to write better and better pop songs each time we write anything. It's really a growing challenge to simplify a song and still make it hella catchy. But as you see, we have absolutely no problems with that :]
CRAVE: You recently performed live for the first time in Houston, how was the experience?
LENOIR: Our first show was fabulous! All of our friends came out and really showed up for us. It was a packed show, we sold out of all of our merch, and the energy was just out of this world! So much support and so many people singing our songs at us was so sick after never having played a show before. So grateful for that experience, just knowing people really do love and support us. I can't wait to do it again. Honestly more than anything, it was just a good energy evening, the whole time. Nothing bad happened, nothing exploded. No fist fights lol. 10/10 first show!
CRAVE: On social media, you have mentioned Paramore, Chvrches, and Dua Lipa as having similar sounds to your tracks. What other artists do you draw inspiration from within this new project?
LENOIR: We definitely wanted to go more in the pop diva realm with this song as far as style, so we absolutely took some style notes from Miss Ariana Grande and Dua. I hope everyone can enjoy the energy of it, we wanted to keep this song super light and fun, and I think it definitely is that!
CRAVE: How was the production and songwriting experience making this EP with Tyler Smyth?
LENOIR: BRUH. May I open with how amazing Tyler just is as a person? Like seriously just inspirational being around his energy and passion. The process of writing and brainstorming with Tyler is amazing. Dude simply does not have bad ideas. I'm not sure what vitamins his parents gave him, or what golden rod Jesus Christ himself blessed Tyler with, but whatever it was, it worked lol. He is a genius 100%. It's an insane thing to watch him work, and to be praised for my vocals by him as well. I know whenever he approves of something that I really killed it, and that feels so nice to hear from someone so experienced in the industry. I absolutely love writing with him.
CRAVE: Are there any other genres you would like to explore in the future?
LENOIR: I definitely would like to get into some R&B! I've been talking about it for a bit now, and I think 2025 is the year for it. My goal is to have at least an album's worth of songs from each genre before I die. I already have metal and pop so lets go with some R&B, Country, and just good ole American Rock. Opera? Who knows. We do what we want. Oh also, some of the new Haunter songs are leaning into the hip-hop influence we have coming from our home town of Houston. Many more bangers to come, don't you worry. :)
CRAVE: Anything else you would like to add?
LENOIR: All of our socials are @ HaunterIsntReal for everything! HaunterIsntReal.com for shows, merch, announcements, music, photos, and more about us! We do have shows coming up all over Texas so be on the lookout for that! Haunter forever!
“Catch Me If You Can” perfectly encapsulates the pop-rock genre that HAUNTER set out to explore: a catchy, bouncy melody alongside heavy drums and guitar riffs to balance everything out. The cadence of the lyrics sung by LeNoir gets stuck in your head so easily, you find yourself singing along after the first verse.
“You never call me when you’re sober / The bar with you is always lower / Always lower than it had to be / It’s actually a shame you’ll never know her.”
The relief of getting away from someone who brings toxicity into your life and being able to shine bright again is evident in this song. While it can be a bittersweet feeling to let go of what you experienced with someone, there is no greater joy than learning how truly incredible and worthwhile you are, and refusing to let anyone dim your light.
HAUNTER is a well-rounded group, nailing heavy-hitting rock tracks and soft-sounding pop ballads all in one. Whatever you are in the mood for, HAUNTER can deliver, and this is evident in their latest single “Catch Me If You Can.”
