{{short description|American pop-punk band formed 2009}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Candy Hearts | image = Candy Hearts cropped.jpg | caption = Candy Hearts performing at 2015 Warped Tour | origin = New Jersey/New York, United States | alias = | years_active = {{Start date|2009}}–2017, 2024 | genre = Pop punk, Synth pop,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6077614/top-10-new-school-pop-punk-bands-modern-baseball-candy-hearts|title=Top 10 New Pop-Punk Bands: Modern Baseball, Candy Hearts & More - Billboard|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> power pop,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rvamag.com/articles/full/13824/daily-record-candy-hearts|title=Articles - DAILY RECORD: Candy Hearts - RVA Magazine - Richmond, VA|work=RVA Magazine|access-date=2015-07-28|archive-date=2016-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114235228/http://rvamag.com/articles/full/13824/daily-record-candy-hearts|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://alreadyheard.com/post/89149532738/album-review-candy-hearts-all-the-ways-you-let|title=Album Review: Candy Hearts - All the Ways You Let... - Already Heard|work=Already Heard|access-date=2015-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401135633/http://alreadyheard.com/post/89149532738/album-review-candy-hearts-all-the-ways-you-let|archive-date=2015-04-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> emo | label = Iodine Recordings, Violently Happy Records, Bridge 9 Records, Alcopop Records, No Sleep Records, Kind of Like Records | spinoffs = Best Ex | past_members = Mariel Loveland <br>Greg Baldwin<br />Nick Noto<br />Christina Picciano<br />Christian Migliorese<br />Kris Hayes<br /> Matt Ferraro <br /> John Clifford<br />Matt Florio | website = {{URL|http://www.candyheartsband.com/}} }}
''Candy Hearts'' was an American pop rock band from New Jersey and New York, formed in 2009 by singer/guitarist Mariel Loveland and guitarist Kris Hayes. As the band’s primary songwriter, Loveland was the only member to see through every one of its incarnations.
==Background== The band's first collection of demos, "Ripped Up Jeans and Silly Dreams", was released for free online in 2010 but never saw a physical release. It featured Loveland, Hayes (who also played bass on the recording) and drummer Louie Aronowitz. Aronowitz later left the band, and was replaced by drummer Nick Noto. They added bassist Greg Baldwin, and Hayes switched from the live bass player to lead guitar. Noto then left the group in 2011 and was replaced by Christina Picciano. A new song, "What I'm Made Of," was released for free on their Bandcamp page the same year. The band also released a split seven-inch with Sister Kisser, which featured two new songs. Baldwin departed after the sessions, and was replaced by Christian Migliorese.
This line-up would go on to record the band's second album, titled ''Everything's Amazing And Nobody's Happy'' on Kind of Like Records. Picciano was the next member to depart in early 2012, and was replaced by Matthew Ferraro. An acoustic EP, titled simply ''Acoustic EP'', was released in March 2012. The song featured acoustic versions of the band's songs, and was released to raise funds for further recording and studio time. In the coming months, the band teamed up with producer and New Found Glory guitarist, Chad Gilbert, to record their EP "The Best Ways to Disappear". The EP was rated #2 on Kerrang's list of "Top EPs of 2012."
In April 2013, Migliorese was replaced by John Clifford. The band also released a seven-inch, entitled ''Miles & Interstates'', via Bridge Nine Records that year. Kerrang rated the single, "Miles & Interstates," as #40 in their list of "101 Songs that Rocked 2013." 2014 saw Hayes, the only other original member of the band, depart to start a family and to be a stay-at-home dad. He was not replaced, converting the band into a trio.
In June 2014, the band released their third album, ''All The Ways You Let Me Down''. The album was again produced by New Found Glory band member Chad Gilbert.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zarrillo|first1=Zack|title=Candy Hearts Begin Recording Album With Chad Gilbert|url=https://propertyofzack.com/post/72439629342/candy-hearts-begin-recording-album-with-chad-gilbert|publisher=Property of Zack|accessdate=15 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Payne|first1=Chris|title=Candy Hearts' Mariel Loveland Talks New Album, Feminism & New Found Glory Tattoos|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6092227/candy-hearts-mariel-loveland-new-album-new-found-glory-interview|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=15 July 2014}}</ref> and charted on Billboard at #8 (Alternative New Artist Chart) and #32 (Heatseekers Chart). The band went on a tour in the spring of 2014 with We Are In The Crowd, William Beckett, State Champs, and Set It Off.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zarrillo|first1=Zack|title=We Are The In Crowd, William Beckett, State Champs Spring Tour|url=https://propertyofzack.com/post/68894679648/we-are-the-in-crowd-william-beckett-state-champs|publisher=Property of Zack|accessdate=15 July 2014}}</ref> In the summer of 2014, the band embarked on a tour with Seaway, Stickup Kid, and Driver Friendly.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sharp|first1=Tyler|title=Stickup Kid, Seaway announce summer co-headlining tour|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/stickup_kid_seaway_announce_summer_co_headlining_tour|publisher=Alternative Press|accessdate=15 July 2014}}</ref> Loveland would later speak negatively of this tour, accusing Seaway's manager of abusive behaviour.
In the fall of 2014, the band toured with New Found Glory in the United States, Ireland, and England. Later that year, Billboard named them one of the top ten pop-punk bands that people need to know.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Payne|first1=Chris|title=Top 10 New School Pop-Punk Bands You Need To Know|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6077614/top-10-new-school-pop-punk-bands-modern-baseball-candy-hearts?page=0%2C1|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=15 July 2014}}</ref> and NJ.com voted them one of the 35 bands you need to hear in 2015 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2015/01/35_nj_bands_you_need_to_hear_in_2015.html#0|title=35 N.J. bands you need to hear in 2015|work=NJ.com|date=6 January 2015 }}</ref> In December 2014, Spin Magazine named Candy Hearts' single "I Miss You" one of the Best Songs Of 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2014/12/101-best-songs-2014/|title=The 101 Best Songs of 2014|work=Spin|date=8 December 2014 }}</ref> ''All The Ways You Let Me Down'' was also voted as one of the best pop albums of 2014 by Billboard <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/best-pop-albums-2014-6413826/|title=Best Pop Albums of 2014: Charli XCX, Tove Lo, Taylor Swift & More - Billboard|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> and one of the top albums of 2014 by The Houston Chronicle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/miked/2014/12/the-top-10-albums-of-2014/|title=The top 10 albums of 2014|work=Miked}}</ref>
On May 5, 2017, Loveland announced that she would be continuing as a solo artist under the name Best Ex. She described the change to ''Billboard'' as "taking everything that Candy Hearts is — everything that I am — and giving it a breakup makeover."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/candy-hearts-name-change-best-ex-girlfriend-tour-dates-mariel-loveland-7784803/|magazine=Billboard |title=Candy Hearts Changes Name to Best Ex, Premieres New DIY Synthpop Jam 'Girlfriend' }}</ref>
In April of 2024, the band announced that they would be reuniting for a one-off performance at The Fest in Gainesville, FL for the ten year anniversary of ''All The Ways You Let Me Down''. This marked the first time Loveland, Ferraro, and Clifford would be performing together since 2016; they added lead guitarist Matt Florio, who is Loveland’s live bandmate from Best Ex, as part of the performance. Along with the reunion, the band released a collection of rarities and B-sides called ''You Could Be Anyone'' on Iodine Recordings.
==Influences== The band cites several, across the board influences. Loveland has cited acts such as The Breeders, Juliana Hatfield and Taylor Swift as influences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://substreammagazine.com/2014/08/interview-live-photos-candy-hearts-new-york-ny-81514/|title=INTERVIEW + LIVE PHOTOS: Candy Hearts - New York, NY - 8/15/14 - Substream Magazine|author=Nici Arsenault|work=Substream Magazine}}</ref>
==Members== ;Final line-up *Mariel Loveland – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2009–2017, 2024) *Matthew Ferraro – drums (2012–2017, 2024) *John Clifford – bass (2013–2017, 2024) *Matt Florio – lead guitar, backing vocals (2024)
;Former members *Kris Hayes – lead guitar, backing vocals (2009–2014), bass (2009–2010) *Louie Aronowitz – drums (2009–2010) *Nick Noto – drums (2010–2011) *Greg Baldwin – bass (2010–2011) *Christina Picciano – drums (2011–2012) *Christian Migliorese – bass (2011–2013) *Bobby Vaughn – lead guitar, backing vocals (2014–2017)
==Discography== '''Studio albums''' *''Ripped Up Jeans and Silly Dream''s (2010) *''Everything's Amazing & Nobody's Happy'' (2011) *''All the Ways You Let Me Down'' (2014)<ref>{{cite web|last1=Whitt|first1=Cassie|title=Candy Hearts - 'All The Ways You Let Me Down' album premiere|url=http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/candy_hearts_all_the_ways_you_let_me_down_album_premiere|publisher=Alternative Press|accessdate=15 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Weber|first1=Laurel|title=ATP! Interview: Mariel Loveland (Candy Hearts)|url=http://www.alterthepress.com/2014/04/atp-interview-mariel-loveland-candy.html|publisher=Alter The Press|accessdate=15 July 2014}}</ref>
'''Compilation albums''' *''You Could be Anyone'' (2024)
'''EPs''' *''Acoustic EP'' (2012) *''The Best Ways to Disappear'' (2012) *''Miles & Interstates'' (2013) *''Acoustic Hearts'' (2015)
'''Splits''' *''Sister Kisser/Candy Hearts'' (2011)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://candyheartsband.tumblr.com/ Official website] *[https://candyhearts.bandcamp.com/ Bandcamp] *[https://www.facebook.com/candyhearts Facebook] *[https://twitter.com/CandyHeartsBand Twitter] *[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/candy-hearts-mn0003007926/discography AllMusic]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Candy Hearts}} Category:Musical groups established in 2009 Category:2009 establishments in New Jersey Category:Musical groups from New Jersey