Shaant Hacikyan, the lead singer of Cute Is What We Aim For, draws listeners with his unique sound and writing style.
Many music fans find it hard to discover genuine, feeling-driven pop-rock that reflects their lives.
Cute Is What We Aim For, with Shaant Hacikyan at the helm, meets this need through honest words and memorable tunes.
This piece looks into Shaant Hacikyan’s effect on the band’s music and rise to fame.
We’ll trace Shaant Hacikyan’s path with Cute Is What We Aim For, from their start to their popular songs.
See how Shaant Hacikyan’s special view molds the band’s music and speaks to fans.
Find out about Shaant Hacikyan’s part in Cute Is What We Aim For’s growth and their spot in the pop-rock world.
Early Life and Career Beginnings of Shaant Hacikyan
Shaant Hacikyan grew up in Buffalo, New York. He loved music from a young age.
In January 2005, Shaant and his friends started a band. They named it Cute Is What We Aim For. The group mixed pop-punk, emo, and indie sounds. This made their music special.
They wrote songs in basements and played small shows. Shaant’s singing helped them connect with fans, and their fresh style got noticed. Soon, they gained fans outside Buffalo.
Shaant’s honest lyrics spoke to many young listeners. His passion for music shone through in every performance.
This was just the start for Shaant and his band.
Debut and Early Success of Shaant Hacikyan
1. First Recordings
Shaant and his band moved fast. They made demo songs and put them online, using MySpace and PureVolume to share their music.
Many people liked what they heard. The band’s online songs gained fans nationwide, a big deal for a new group.
2. Signing with Fueled By Ramen
Shaant and his friends played many live shows. People loved watching them perform; their fan base grew with each gig.
In November 2005, something exciting happened. Fueled By Ramen, a well-known record label, noticed the band. They liked Shaant’s singing and his clever words.
The label offered the band a deal. Shaant and his friends agreed. This was a big step forward for them.
With a record label’s support, Shaant and the band were set for more, and they had a chance to reach even more listeners.
Their hard work paid off. From online demos to a record deal, Shaant and his band were moving up in the music world.
A Turning Point: Shaant Hacikyan’s Solo Exploration (2009–2010)
1. Shaant’s Big Decision (2009)
In 2009, Shaant Hacikyan made a choice that surprised many fans: he decided to pursue music alone for a while, leading the band to take a break.
Fans were left wondering whether Cute Is What We Aim For would ever return or if this was the end of the music they had grown to love.
2. How It Changed Their Music
Shaant’s solo journey led to significant changes in his songwriting. He explored deeper personal thoughts and emotions, which made his lyrics more introspective.
He eventually returned to the band and infused these new ideas into their music.
While the catchy, fun sound remained, Shaant’s personal experiences added a more mature and thoughtful layer to their songs.
This solo period they were allowed Shaant to grow as a writer and learn new ways of expressing himself. When the band reunited, the songs felt more evolved.
Fans noticed the difference: the music still had the energy that made them sing along, but now, it also made them reflect on the lyrics more deeply.
This transformation showed Shaant and the band were growing, finding new ways to connect with their audience through more thoughtful music.
Struggles and Challenges of Shaant Hacikyan
1. Lineup Changes
Shaant’s band went through tough times. The group’s members kept changing, and some left, and new ones joined, making things hard for the band.
All these changes created problems. It was tough to keep the band steady. But Shaant stayed. He was the one part of the band that didn’t change.
Even with all the new faces, Shaant kept the band going. He worked to keep their sound and style the same.
2. Personal Struggles
Shaant had his problems, too. Being famous wasn’t always easy, and he felt pressure from fans and the music business.
He wanted to keep making music his way. But that was hard in the big music world. Shaant had to fight to keep control of his art.
These troubles were evident in Shaant’s songs. His words showed how he felt, and you could feel the emotion when he sang on stage.
Shaant used these hard times to improve his music. He put his feelings into his songs, which made fans feel even closer to him and the band.
Popular Soundtracks of Cute Is What We Aim For
Each song tells part of Cute Is What We Aim For’s story, from their early pop-punk days to a more mature sound.
Let’s look at a breakdown of these songs, their significance, and how they resonated with fans:
| Song Title | Year Released | Key Features | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Curse of Curves | 2006 | Catchy tune clever lyrics; one of their most iconic songs | Emo and pop-punk fans, over 15 million streams on Spotify |
| There’s a Class for This | 2006 | Guest vocals from William Beckett; loved for vocal contrast | Fans of The Academy Is…, 8 million views on YouTube, 10 million streams on Spotify |
| Finger Twist and Split | 2006 | Fast-paced, energetic; reminds fans of the band’s early sound | Early pop-punk scene followers, over 6 million streams on Spotify |
| Harbour | 2010 | With smoother sound, Shaant’s matured vocals marked their comeback | Fans of more mature emo-pop, over 1.5 million streams on Spotify |
Big Moments in The Career of Cute Is What We Aim For
Cute Is What We Aim For had some standout times in their music journey. These big moments helped shape who they became as a band.
- In 2005, Cute Is What We Aim For joined Fueled By Ramen. This was a big step for a new emo and pop-punk band.
- They won PureVolume’s Battle of the Bands in 2005, which showed that many people liked their music.
- The band went on tours with famous groups like Boys Like Girls and Jack’s Mannequin, which helped them meet new fans.
- They marked ten years since their first album with a special tour in Australia, during which fans heard their old songs live again.
- Each of these moments helped the band grow. They went from being new to being known around the world.
- These wins proved that their hard work was paying off. They kept making music that people wanted to hear.
Lineup Changes and Sound Shifts of The Band
1. Post-Debut Adjustments (2007–2008)
After their first album, things changed for Cute Is What We Aim For. Fred Cimato left the band, Jack Marin stepped in briefly, and then Dave Melillo joined to play bass. Dave brought new ideas with him.
These changes weren’t just about who was in the band. The songs started to feel different. They still had energy, but they felt more grown-up.
2. Touring and Expanding Horizons
During this time, Cute Is What We Aim For hit the road. They played at big music events like Bamboozle and toured with famous bands like Panic! At the Disco.
Playing live shows every night changed how they made music. They learned what excited the crowd and saw what other bands were doing.
As they traveled and played, their sound kept changing. They took what they learned on the road and put it into their music, a mix of their old style and new ideas.
This time was like a bridge for the band, moving from their early days to something new.
The Band’s Comeback: Fresh Faces, Updated Tunes (Post-2010)
After a quiet spell, Cute Is What We Aim For came back to life. Let’s see what changed:
1. Shaant Brings in New Friends
Shaant decided to keep the band going. He brought in new people to play with him. Michael Brady and Kevin Scoma joined the group.
They added their style to the mix. The band released a new song called Harbour. It sounded like their old stuff, but it had a fresh twist.
2. Keeping the Old, Adding the New
The band wanted to make music that old fans liked and win over new listeners, so they kept some of what made people love them before.
The catchy tunes were still there, but they also tried new things. The words in their songs discussed grown-up topics now.
The music sounded cleaner and smoother than before. They used new ways to record their songs. Fans could still tell it was Cute Is What We Aim For.
But the band showed they had learned new tricks, too.
Wrapping Up!
Shaant Hacikyan’s role in Cute Is What We Aim For’s success can’t be overstated. His amazing voice and heartfelt lyrics have been the backbone of the band’s appeal.
Shaant Hacikyan has grown as a singer and songwriter throughout their path, shaping the band’s sound. His personal experiences, reflected in songs, have helped fans connect deeply with the music.
Shaant Hacikyan’s leadership has guided Cute Is What We Aim For through changes in the music world, keeping their sound fresh yet familiar.
Shaant Hacikyan’s creative vision continues to drive their musical direction as the band moves forward.
Fans eagerly await what Shaant Hacikyan and Cute Is What We Aim For will create next, knowing it will be genuine and moving.
Shaant Hacikyan’s lasting impact on pop-rock is clear, and his future contributions promise to be as meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Music Does Cute Is What We Aim to Play?
They play a mix of emo and pop-punk music, known for catchy tunes and thoughtful lyrics.
Who’s Been in the Band the Longest?
Shaant Hacikyan has been the only constant member since the band started in 2005.
Have They Won Any Awards?
They won PureVolume’s Battle of the Bands in 2005, which helped them gain more fans.
