Visitor Pass
Photo Credit 📷 : @visitorpassmi
Amanda Bernstorf has been booking festivals and DIY shows for years in the Michigan scene and now she’s finally coming into her own creative for her solo project-pop punk band: Visitor Pass. While Amanda is the sole writer & composer, as well as guitarist / vocalist and lyricist for the project, she is working with three other talented musicians that will be performing with Visitor Pass for some upcoming live shows.
For a lot of women Paramore was a major inspiration and they were naturally a huge influence on Amanda growing up too but her range of influences go far beyond pop music genres. “The Story So Far is one of my favorite bands, so they are also a big influence for me as well”. Amanda’s other cited influences include The Menzingers, Eat Your Heart Out, and Household. Amongst her many connections within the DIY scenes, Amanda and Visitor Pass also have ties to the hardcore world.
“I love the idea of throwing in some elements of hardcore as well, since melodic hardcore is one of my favorite genres, though I'm not sure if that comes across in these singles. Haha. But hopefully my future songs will bring more of that style!”
Her latest track Bad Habit deals with fighting against (and overcoming) your fears. “You can stay afraid, but do the scary thing anyway.” Bad Habit is the first of three Visitor Pass singles to come in the next few months and features Zeke McKinney of Tooth and Nail’s post-hardcore heroes Idle Threat. The song and bands sound currently is very energetic and bubbly with the catchy trademark hooks and pop melodies one would associate with mall emo of the early 2000s but the attitude and the message are different here, Amanda’s lyrics are far from bubblegum or anything to be considered corny.
WHAT’S YOUR WRITING PROCESS ENTAIL FOR VISITOR PASS?
“I typically find myself coming up with a catchy vocal pattern for the chorus first, and then I try and fill out the rest of the song from there, which was the case with this single [Bad Habit]. As far as lyrics go, I have tried to gear them toward something positive and helpful. The world is so crushing and I spent a long time being crushed, so I want to hopefully give back something positive and honest to anyone who listens.”
SO HOW DID THE COLLAB WITH ZEKE HAPPEN FOR BAD HABIT?
“I'm a big Idle Threat fan, so I was excited when Zeke agreed to sing on the track. I really want my sound to draw from post-hardcore / hardcore elements, since they are some of my favorite genres, so it was a no-brainer to ask Zeke to be on this song. Andrew Tyson, of the band Real Face, recorded and produced this song and two others that have yet to be released. He is very energetic and fun to work with, making the recording process so easy.
He really pushed me to get the best sound and made a ton of great suggestions and contributions on arrangements and instrumentation. He kept telling me to channel my inner Hayley Williams to get the best vocal takes, I really loved that!”
“BAD HABIT WAS INSPIRED OUT OF FRUSTURATION TOWARDS MYSELF. I KINDA HAVE A ‘BAD HABIT’ OF SABOTAGING THINGS AS SOON AS THEY ARE GETTING REMOTELY GOOD. TURNS OUT THAT I AM AFRAID OF SUCCESS, ALMOST AS EQUALLY AS I AM OF FAILURE.“
- AMANDA @VISITORPASSMI
Bad Habit forces you to answer Amanda’s direct questions in her chorus lyrics “are you afraid to be happy, that the good will run out? Are you afraid to be happy or forgive yourself?”, and quite honestly, yes to both. Admitting that (very publicly) isn’t easy, and having lyrics that deeply personal and emotional stand to prove that Visitor Pass isn’t bubblegum bullshit so don’t let the cutesy aesthetic of this project fool you, there’s a lot of substance going beyond skin deep within the heart of this project. The juxtaposition of this song being instrumentally very hyper, bright and fun while lyrically hitting me like a heavy therapy session gave me goosebumps and a smile.
“If other people unfortunately relate to this song, I hope they feel encouraged that they are going to fail at some point, but that doesn't make them a failure. And just the same, when things are going well, try not shy away from that, but embrace the good.”
SO WHATS NEXT FOR VISITOR PASS NOW?
“I have two more singles set to release at the top of 2025, as well as a music video for my first single "White Noise". There's currently a new album in the works that I'm really excited to share with everyone. The goal for that album would be for 2026.”
ANY CLOSING WORDS FOR THE READERS?
“I'm so very grateful to have so much support, and to be involved in the DIY scene. I have gotten to do so many incredible things because of other people being so kind and generous to me. I am hopeful to be that to anyone who aspires to do any type of art. Shoutout to Kevin Schlereth, the real DIY hero of our time.”
Die Wild :)
You can catch Amanda live as Vistor Pass have upcoming shows for January 24 in Royal Oak, MI, with the band Lester. They’ll also be at Bowlero Lanes & Lounge on February 15 with Real Face in Trenton, MI but in the meantime checkout the latest single Bad Habit below and be sure to give them a follow on their socials!
