On our sixth day of this year’s Music Interview Marathon, we speak to metallic hardcore band Heathen Hearts. They tell us how they mix different styles of metal music and their love of performing live.
Band Name: Heathen Hearts
Members: Antti Nissilä (Vocals), Jere Orre (Guitars & backing vocals), Lauri Sillanpää (Guitars & backing vocals), Juhana Haavisto (Bass & backing vocals) & Ville Nissinen (Drums)
Genre: Metallic Hardcore
Founded: July 2021
Originated From: Kotka, Finland
Discography: Heathen Hearts (EP, 2022)
How would you describe your music?
Heathen Hearts has its foundation in Hardcore but we like to add different types of metal music on that foundation. Typical hardcore vocals and attitude but melodic guitar riffs and you can hear elements of for example death metal and black metal in our music.
What is your musical creative process like?
Usually, Jere or Lauri has a riff or at best a whole demo of a song. Then we work on it and arrange it at the rehearsal place. Antti usually writes the lyrics. We work on the song as long as it sounds good enough for everyone. We always want to make a better song than the last song we made. But we also know when to let go and say, “ok now it’s ready.” We have sort of healthy self-criticism going on.
How did the band form?
Originally Lauri was gathering guys (us) to play a Turbonegro tribute show at the local Turbojugend fan club party in 2020. But Covid ruined that gig. After a while, our drummer Ville had an idea that we should play hardcore and asked if we would be interested. Everyone got excited and so the tribute project turned into a proper band. And here we are. All of us have played in different bands for a long time so most of us knew each other from the local music scene.
How did you come up with your band name?
Antti came up with the name and everyone supported it 100%. It sounded good but also had a meaning for us as it resonates the individual freedom to walk your own path, make your own choices and be true to yourself.
Who influenced you within the music industry?
There are lots of bands that have influenced us. All of us listen to a lot of different kinds of music from pagan folk to pop, punk, rock all the way to black metal. But from the hardcore scene such bands like Terror, Comeback Kid and Get The Shot for example have influenced us.
Have you performed live much and what was your favourite gig to play at?
We have done several live shows in southern Finland and all of them have been just fantastic. It’s been overwhelming how positively people have reacted to our music. Our favourite gig has probably been the first one because it was a full house and moshpit was going on the whole gig. That was a very positive surprise for a new band.
Another gig that was exciting was in Helsinki where we participated in a metal band competition final and became second from a total of 160 bands that participated in the competition. That was the first time we took part in anything like that.
What is the best thing about being in a band?
Creating new music and seeing how the songs come together. It’s a great feeling when you have been part of creating something you are excited about and sounds good to you. It’s a great feeling when new material is released. Another thing is live shows. It’s just the best feeling being on stage.
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far as a musician(s)?
Like most new bands that have no booking agency, it takes a lot of work booking live shows. They are difficult to get. Otherwise, things have been going forward quite smoothly although it has been a learning experience for all of us doing everything by ourselves. From composing songs to releasing them. The whole process. But we wouldn’t call that a problem. Just a challenge.
What is your ultimate dream as a band?
Our ultimate dream is to make good music and have a long and prosperous career and maybe become one of the success stories in the metal/hardcore scene. We hope to have great experiences both in and outside of our own home country. It would be nice to be able to just concentrate on music and make this a full-time job for the whole band. But that requires a lot of work. A lot!
You can find out more about Heathen Hearts on their Linktree page.
If you’re in a band or a musician and would like to appear on this blog, please contact me and I’ll forward you an interview template.
Also, check out my other Music Interview roundups from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022.
