The Haunt would like to be your constant companions. And that shouldn’t be much of a problem for the dynamic Florida duo. After all, they’ve already come a long way in just a few short years, thanks to high-energy singles like Brag About, Cigarettes & Feelings and Brat. With their latest offering — the fittingly titled Constant, from their upcoming EP Social Intercourse — they take their sound to the next level. And while they’re at it, the siblings take part in a different kind of social interaction by tackling my silly questions. Let’s see how companionable they feel after that.
Introduce yourself: Name, age (feel free to lie or not answer), home base and other details you’d like to share — height / weight / identifying marks / astrology sign / your choice.
Hi, we’re Maxamillion Haunt (21, Taurus) and Anastasia Grace Haunt (17, Aquarius) from South Florida! We’re brother and sister, and we’re The Haunt.
What is your musical origin story?
We’re siblings who grew up with two music lovers for parents. We were constantly surrounded by all different types of music being blasted throughout the house, from Red Hot Chili Peppers to Wu-Tang Clan to The Beatles. We figured out that Anastasia could sing around the age of nine and after that point we all rallied around her to later create the band.
What’s your latest project? Tell us everything we need to know.
We just released the new single Constant, the latest track from our upcoming EP Social Intercourse. In August, we released the single Brag About. We have a bunch of other singles coming your way over the course of the next few months, produced by ridiculous musician and production genius Matt Good, from From First to Last. He’s worked with multiple iconic acts such as Sleeping with Sirens and Asking Alexandria.
What truly sets you apart from other artists?
We think that our futuristic sound, and Anastasia’s dynamic vocals are something that you won’t find anywhere else. Pair that with Anastasia’s love of fashion, and the fact that she’s 17 years old already touring the world … we’re not trying to sound boastful, but we feel like we have something special.
What will I learn or how will my life improve by listening to your music?
You’ll learn a ton about our personal lives LOL. Hopefully you’ll also leave with the original mission of the band etched into your mind too, be nice to everyone. Listen when people speak and treat everyone like a human being. We’ve always stood against bullying and worked to promote kindness to everyone. We hope that comes through in our music.
What album / song / artist / show changed your life?
Max: When I was around 13 I went to my first real concert and it was Nine Inch Nails show, that show was the definitive moment that made me want to become a musician and producer.
Anastasia: Remington Leith from Palaye Royale. Watching those guys kill it every single night while we were on tour together was definitely life changing for me. It changed me as a performer and musician.
Tell us about the first song you wrote and / or the first gig you played and what you got paid.
Anastasia: The first gig we ever played was an open mic at a coffee house when I was around nine. We played it as a two piece and didn’t get paid a cent. Our first show that we really remember playing as a four piece was a show at Churchill’s in Miami, where we had to cover like three or four David Bowie songs as part of our original set. That show was the first time where we really connected as a band and felt like we could make it.
What is the best / worst / strangest / most memorable performance you gave?
I think our best show that we ever played was when we played Halloween in Dallas on tour with Palaye Royale. The energy in the venue (Trees is a legendary venue where Nirvana has played) was INSANE. The most memorable show was definitely when we played to a sold-out room at the Electric Brixton in London, on one of the European legs of the same tour. That’s the biggest stage we’ve played to date.
What is the best / worst / strangest / most memorable performance you’ve seen another artist give?
We saw a TwentyOnePilots concert on their Blurryface tour in our hometown. We’ve still yet to see anyone put on such an elaborate stage show. It was incredible to watch.
What do you want to be doing in 10 years?
We wanna be doing exactly what we’re doing now in front of more people! We’d also really like to dive deeper into the fashion industry and start producing our own line of clothing.
What living or dead artists would you collaborate with if you could?
The list goes on forever, but some of the giants would be Jack White, Kanye West, any member of the Wu Tang Clan (our parents would love that even more than we would), Stevie Nicks, Amy Winehouse, Billie Holiday and Freddie Mercury. These people are our idols.
What artist or style of music do you love that would surprise people?
Hardcore ’90s hip-hop. Seriously, we listen to Nas, Wu-Tang, Biggie, Tupac, Gang Starr and more … it’s what we bump to on a regular basis. Everyone knows when they come over to our house, this is what they should expect.
What are your favourite songs / albums / artists right now?
Some of our favorite artists right now include Palaye Royale (obviously), Royal Blood, The Kills, Post Malone, The 1975, K. Flay and more.
How about some other favourites? Authors / movies / painters / philanthropists / you name it.
Max: My favorite movies are Fight Club and Scott Pilgrim Vs the World, and my favorite painters are MC Escher and Dali. I’m also a huge Alan Watts fan as far as philanthropy goes.
Anastasia: I love the movies A Star is Born, and The Notebook (even though it’s cliche), my favorite painter is Monet, I love reading Edgar Alan Poe and Charles Bukowski’s a king.
Who would you be (or have you been) starstruck to meet?
I think we would both be insanely starstruck to meet either Jack White or Stevie Nicks. We’ve both grown up obsessed with their music, and they’re both huge influences to us as a band.
Tell us a joke.
No, thank you. ❤️
What do you drive and why? What do you want to drive and why?
Max: When we’re home I do most of the driving, since Anastasia doesn’t have her licence yet. I drive a Toyota Highlander … I used to have a … I miss her dearly.
What superpower do you want and how would you use it?
Max: I’ve always said that the power of teleportation is the best power. You can be anywhere or disappear from anywhere instantly… That’s awesome…
Anastasia: I would wanna fly. It just seems like it would be so much fun.
What skills — useful or useless — do you have outside of music?
Max: I can draw and I know a lot of useless random trivial bullshit.
Anastasia: I can be a Theremin with my voice?
What do you collect?
Max: I collect guitars and vinyl
Anastasia: I have a lot of shoes, not sure if that counts as a collection. (Also the souls of my enemies)
If I had a potluck, what would you bring?
We’d bring Italian Rainbow cookies … It’s kind of a thing in family.
What current trend or popular thing do you not understand at all?
The Big Straw Challenge is pretty fucked up. I’m never putting a toilet paper roll in my mouth.
Tell us about your current and/or former pets.
We used to have a white French Bulldog named Meaty, but we had to give him to our friend because Anastisia and our mom were really allergic. We have two tortoises named Jack and Meg now (we really like The White Stripes).
If you could have any other job besides music, what would it be and why?
Max: I would love to either draw comic books, or study marine zoology.
Anastasia: I would wanna be an eye doctor. Cause I fuckin’ love eyes.
What’s the best advice and/or worst advice you were ever given?
“Work hard, and don’t be a dick.” I know it’s vague but it’s really that simple. That always stuck with me.
Watch their videos above, check out Constant HERE, hear more from The Haunt below, and connect with them via their website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
