Representative Albums: "Declare a New State!", "Honeysuckle Weeks", "Honeysuckle Remixes
Biography
The Submarines are an indie pop group comprising John Dragonetti (aka Jack Drag) and Blake Hazard, who initially crossed paths while working as solo artists in Boston. Introduced by mutual friends, the pair soon became musically and romantically involved. Dragonetti produced Hazard's debut solo album, 2002's Little Airplane, and they began playing and performing with each other's bands. The couple moved west to Los Angeles to continue their career in warmer environs, but their relationship ended during the fall of 2004. The event fueled their respective songwriting, however, and since Hazard still recorded her material at Dragonetti's studio, the two began sharing the songs they'd penned about their breakup. Apparently, this also worked to reconcile their love, and the two got back together, recorded the aforementioned breakup songs, and ultimately married. Declare a New State!, which was mastered by a friend as a wedding present, was then released on the Nettwerk label in 2006. Honeysuckle Weeks followed in May 2008, featuring decidedly happier songs and an increased emphasis on Hazard's lead vocals. ~ Marisa Brown, All Music Guide
Working as solo artists in Boston, the two members of the band, John Dragonetti and Blake Hazard, were introduced through a mutual friend. Dragonetti and Hazard soon became romantically involved, and toured Europe together as members of each others band. The relationship lasted for four years, but ended in the fall of 2004 when the pair moved to L.A.[1] After the break-up, both Hazard and Dragonetti continued writing songs, and because Hazard still recorded her music in Dragonetti's home studio, the pair quickly discovered the songs they had written were about each other and their sadness in having broken up. Knowing this, the duo decided to work on a few songs together and eventually got back together. The songs that they had worked on together were mastered for the couple as a wedding present, and those tracks eventually became their first album.[2] Hazard, who is the great-granddaughter of American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald,[3] has said of the relationship, "It’s hard, definitely hard. Luckily we are like-minded aesthetically and musically." Declare a New State!, The Submarines' first album, is what came out of these recording sessions was released in 2006 on the Nettwerk label.[4]
The Submarines covered The Cure's "Boys Don't Cry" for American Laundromat Records tribute compilation "Just Like Heaven - a tribute to The Cure". The Wedding Present, Joy Zipper, Dean & Britta, and The Rosebuds also contributed tracks to the project. The tribute's official release date is January 27, 2009.[5]
In Popular Media
In season 4 finale of Nip/Tuck, the song "Brighter Discontent" was lip synced by the lead actors of the show. The duo recorded a cover version of Little Boxes for the second season of Weeds. The Submarines contributed a version of "My Darling Clementine" to the Nettwerk compilation For The Kids Three! released October 2, 2007. “Brightest Hour” from Honeysuckle Weeks also appeared on Grey's Anatomy Season 4 Episode 14 - "The Becoming" during a scene in which Derek asks Meredith whether or not she wants him to stay with her to watch a patient over night rather than go home with Rose. “Wake Up Song” from Honeysuckle Weeks was featured in the second season of the CW series Gossip Girl. Additionally, the group's song "Xavia" was featured on the soundtrack for the film Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. The songs "You, Me and the Bourgeoisie" and "Submarine Symphonika" were used in commercials for Apple's commercials for its IPhone 3G. An instrumental version of "Modern Inventions" from the album "Declare a New State!" was used for the end credits of the documentary "The Pixar Story."
