The Submarines were the indie pop duo of
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 in 2005. 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 worked to rekindle their affection, and the two got back together, recorded their breakup songs, and ultimately married. Calling themselves
the Submarines, they released the resulting
Declare a New State! 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. Several songs from these albums were licensed for commercials, film, and television, including shows like Nip/Tuck, Gossip Girl, and Grey’s Anatomy, and the film Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. Still with Nettwerk, the full-length
Love Notes/Letter Bombs and
The Shoelaces EP followed in 2011, with
the Submarines' newer songs also appearing on screen.
In 2013,
Hazard released her second solo LP, The Eleanor Islands. Substantially a breakup album, it responded to the sudden end of the couple's marriage. Though no official announcement addressed the fate of
the Submarines,
Dragonetti shifted focus to his work as a film and television composer, and
Hazard released her third solo album, Possibilities at Sea, in 2017. ~ Marisa Brown & Marcy Donelson