"..[Experimental] Post Rock meets Shoegaze jam session wrapped with elements of Indie [Space] Pop-tronica.."
Black Hearted Brother
Alliance [of] Sound & Influence
Black Hearted Brother Bio:
Comprising Neil Halstead (Slowdive, Mojave 3), Mark Van Hoen (Seefeel, Locust) and Nick Holton (Holton's Opulent Oog, Coley Park), Black Hearted Brother represents a collaboration of sorts - supergroup even - that probably isn't quite sure how it ended up here in the first place. Born from years of writing, recording, deliberating, re-recording, remixing and then no doubt starting all over again from scratch, 'Stars Are Our Home' is a deftly orchestrated album that bypasses all generic templates for a colossal smorgasbord of diversity. Throughout its 12 pieces, there's a range of sounds, styles and ideas far and above any realm of expectation associated with the project. In the press release, Halstead talks about Stars are Our Home being 'a record that was in some ways unedited', before going on to conclude, 'while not worrying about a particular sound or style, but to just go with the flow'..
Hello, how are you?
BHB forgot to answer this one, we'll assume they're doing swell;]
What are you currently listening to?
Nick: Just waiting for Jonathon Wilson's 'Fanfare' to arrive, but in the meantime; 'The Terror' by The Flaming Lips, 'Hello Nasty' by The Beastie Boys, just dug Sly & Family Stone 'Life' out for a boogie & Mark's been playing me 'Music Is Painting In The Air' by Sensations Fix on his massive (big as small elephants) speakers - beautiful. Mark: Lots of VU of course, Spiritualized (just saw them in a 400 year old church in Kingston NY) and Tyler, The Creator's 'Wolf' ...somehow as a foil to all this.
How long has the band/project been a concept and did you know what kind of sound you were going for when you began writing for it?
Nick A few years now with some breaks for Neil & I to record Palindrome Hunches & Mark his 'Revenant Diary'. When we began we had no idea really but we quickly got into the idea of working on stuff and doing things that wasn't natural to us. There was a few really crazy (eccentric) tracks that we left off in the end as we realized we did have something cohesive in the end.
Care to shed some light on your debut LP; theme, favourite track(s), etc? Mark: My favourite track is 'Time In The Machine' but that's probably because I had the least to do with it; just being a fan of Neil & Nick! Another couple of favourites are 'My Baby Just Sailed Away' and 'Oh Crust', probably because these were done in the last few days before mastering the album...so they are much more spontaneous and fresh to my ears.
Will you be touring extensively for said release?
Playing live - yes we think so. Extensively - maybe.
Speaking of touring, Rachel Goswell joined you for a couple of shows right? How did this idea come about and did you end up playing any Slowdive material either of those nights? Neil: I was just talking to Rachel a while back and asked if she wanted to come sing a couple songs, she was surprisingly keen. I think we played a couple Slowdive songs on the second night and a bunch of Mojave 3 songs as well.
(Speaking of Slowdive/I gotta ask) What are the chances of a full reunion tour/new album??
Neil: Improbable...but you never know.
You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
Nick: Big Star's 'Third', couldn't get tired of that.
Are you living your dream?
Nick: Yes, I think so, more or less. I think The Brothers are committed to making music, helping our friends, loving our ladies, not doing too much other work that we hate. There is always a better album somewhere among the stars to be found & recorded though.
Mark: I agree with Nick, although there's no dream or plan...one day at a time (sweet Jesus)
Thanks BHB and Caroline!
Black Hearted Brother recently released their debut, give that a spin as soon as you can...
