ARTISTHey Monday

Led by vocalist Cassadee Pope, Hey Monday formed in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Pope was noticed at a regional music conference. While still in high school, she drew attention from A&R executives for her voice. She later formed a band with fellow teenagers: Jersey Moriarty on bass, Elliot James on drums, and guitarists Mike Gentile and Alex Lipshaw. After dropping its original name, Blake, the group adopted the name Hey Monday and was signed to Columbia Records by A&R executive Jay Harren. The band recorded its debut with S*A*M & Sluggo, a production team credited with work on albums by Metro Station and The Academy Is....

Hold on Tight was released in October 2008 through a partnership between Columbia and Pete Wentz’s label, Decaydance. Over the following year, Hey Monday toured, supporting Fall Out Boy and All Time Low and also appearing as a headlining act. Near the end of 2009, drummer James left the band and was replaced by Patrick McKenzie. During the first half of 2010, the group recorded new songs with session drummer Stacy Jones; in August, it released the six-song EP Beneath It All.