About

Happy Heartbreak is a Seattle-based alt-rock, emo-pop outfit serving up happy-sounding, sad songs. Fronted by singer-songwriter Craig Suede since 2015, the band has toured the West Coast, Vietnam, and the Midwest, debuted on KEXP, and played stages such as Northwest Folklife and Vietnam's Quest Festival.

Alt-Rock Emo-Pop

As a core trio with rotating lead guitarists and cello accompaniment, Happy Heartbreak released "It's Complicated" in 2025 and launched the annual Heartbreak Ball at Baba Yaga in Seattle, a multi-band lineup that returned for its second year in February 2026. The band is currently recording its sophomore album, Don't Worry, It Gets Worse, due out in Winter 2026.


Bands We're Watching

nadamucho.com

"...the feel good music of Happy Heartbreak, a project fronted by the enigmatic Craig Suede, does what no other feel good music has…it makes me consider: “what is happiness?” ...I haven’t figured out the answer, but Happy Heartbreak’s music makes me think about these questions, which is something most music doesn’t do these days." – TB

EP Advance Review & Artist Spotlight

altrevue.com

“Tight, Tight, Tight, we can't say that enough. When they get going, Happy Heartbreak are so crisp musically... Flight Risk is a pretty solid effort from a group that seems to be winning fans with a sound and message that touches on listener's rawest emotions and at the end of the day, isn't that what music is all about?”

Happy Heartbreak

Craig Suede | Vocals & Guitar

Greg Olson | Bass

Kylie Doebler | Drums

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Phil Hamilton | Lead Guitar

Serina Chang | Cello