Brooklyn’s HAERTS are on the fast track to indie-pop stardom. Bubbling up from nowhere just prior to SXSW, the band is now creeping out from every small nook and cranny of the internet. But do people still really have a grasp on them? There is a level of mystery to HAERTS that has yet to be uncovered, but perhaps that makes them more of a draw. Their synthy appeal gives them a throwback vibe, but draws similarity to contemporaries like Twin Shadow and TOPS. Currently on tour, we were able to catch up with them for a few questions. They will be in Boston on June 15th, playing The Sinclair with Atlas Genius.
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Perry Eaton: One of my favorite things about HAERTS is that your music doesn’t sound like it’s from 1 particular place. I listen to “Wings” and feel like it’s European, but then I feel like it’s American, and then I have no clue where it’s from so I stop trying to overanalyze things. Is this something that crosses your minds when you write and record? In what ways do various members’ backgrounds influence your sound?
H: We are from various parts of the world and there are definitely many different influences. I am sure that certain things are ingrained in us because of that, but not on a conscious level. When it comes to writing and producing we never think about geography or what kind of sound we want to replicate. Most of the time we experiment and capture a certain moment to our best ability. It’s always been important for us that everything serves the emotion of the song and in that way each song is very different. As far as the production on Wings goes it definitely is influenced by synth and electronic music and the music from the 80s that we all grew up with whether it was in the UK, Germany or the US.
I’ve heard that you’ve worked with members of St. Lucia? That’s a pretty awesome connection to have without having released much yet. How did that relationship come about?
H: We met Jean from St.Lucia through a common friend from Germany in 2009. We loved his productions and he liked our songs, but it took us one year to finally get into the studio together. When it happened we knew it was something special on many levels. We were experimenting with a new sound at the time and Jean played a big role in developing it with us. We love him as a musician and friend and both our studios are in the same building in Brooklyn so it’s all been a very collaborative effort.
I saw that you were down in Austin for SXSW. Is that whole thing all it’s cracked up to be? Any cool new bands that you were able to see while down there?
H: We loved SXSW and Austin. It was important for us because we went from having played 4 shows as HAERTS when we arrived there to playing 2 or 3 a day. It all went by very fast and we did not get to see as many shows as we would have liked. We loved seeing MS MR, The Specials, Ski Lodge. Unfortunately we missed AVAN LAVA’s set. But the highlight was definitely the St. Lucia friends and family on stage dance party to “September” at Empire Automotive. We’ll never forget that.
If HAERTS was a cool new cocktail, what would that drink consist of?
H: What goes into a LOVE POTION? A frog’s leg, a spoon of pigs blood, one hair of a unicorn’s mane, and of course Campari….
What’s next for HAERTS? Looking at any kind of release in the near future?
H: Brewing the first batch of the potion. And then we’ll be releasing more music soon and going on the road in May and June supporting The Shout Out Louds, Atlas Genius and Fitz & The Tantrums.
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