EMQ’s With Heathen Hearts

EMQ’s With Heathen Hearts

Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Finnish Hardcore band, Heathen Hearts. huge thanks to their Bassist, Juhana, for taking part. 

What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?

Hi! I’m Juhana, bassist from the band called Heathen Hearts. 

We have all played in different bands since our teens. The foundation for this band was built in 2020, when our second guitarist Lauri started asking people to play a Turbonegro tribute show at a local Turbojugend fan club party. Obviously because of Covid that didn’t happen so at some point our drummer Ville suggested that maybe we should try out some kind of hybrid of Metal and Hardcore. And here we are.

How did you come up with your band name?

Our vocalist Antti suggested the name and we all supported the idea 100%! The name resonates with the freedom of making your own choices and being who you are. Walking your own path. Of course the name ”Heathen” also refers to a person who doesn’t share the beliefs of institutional and dogmatic religions such as Christianity. You should be able to be who you are and live your life as you see fit and others should respect that freedom. 

What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?

We come from a city called Kotka, (which means Eagle), on the south-eastern coast of Finland. The metal and rock scene has always been quite active here and we are home of such bands as Omnium Gatherum and Marianas Rest for example. 

What is your latest release?

We released our S/T debut EP in May 2022 accompanied with two music videos from the songs ”Ichor” and ”World of Ash”. 

Q. Who have been your greatest influences?

I think for us as a band we draw influences from Hardcore bands like Terror, Comeback Kid and Get The Shot. But in our music, there are a lot of influences from Melodic Death Metal and even Black Metal bands. 

What first got you into music?

When I was a kid we listened to a lot of music in our home. So I guess I have my parents to thank for that. I think I also have wanted to make music since I was a kid in the 80’s and saw all these cool rock and metal bands with their music videos. I formed my first band in 1996 and never stopped for a moment. 

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

Hard question since there are so many good bands and artists out there these days. But I think it would be kind of cool to collaborate with someone out of our genre like Einar Selvik from Wardruna. Other guys from our band would probably suggest Dua Lipa… 🙂 But if I’d have to choose from metal/hardcore scene then maybe it would be cool to open for a band like Get The Shot. 

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

There are several. Midgardsblot Metal festival in Norway because the surroundings and the feeling are just amazing, and it’s home for all the Heathens of the world. 🙂 Of course, I have to mention Wacken in Germany and Tuska Metal festival in Helsinki, Finland. Last but not least we have an awesome Metal festival called Dark River festival here in our hometown. Looking forward to playing there some day as well. There are probably a lot of cool festivals out there that I am not aware of but looking forward to playing as many as possible in the future! 

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

I have to say that I have not received any gifts yet… 

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

Thank you for your support and awesome feedback you have given us so far! Continue supporting live music by going to concerts. Support your favourite up and coming bands. You can make all the difference with your support. Share music that you like to your friends, buy merchandise and spread the word for example in social media. Bands and artists are nothing without your support. 

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Aleksi Laiho from Children Of Bodom / Bodom After Midnight or Peter Steele from Type O Negative.

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

I enjoy all aspects of being in a band and doing music. The creative phase of making and arranging new songs. Live shows, everything. I have never grown tired of it. I think I don’t hate anything about it. I genuinely like it all. 

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

Easier access to playing live shows for up and coming bands.

Maybe also big radio stations could play more new music instead of hanging on to the playlists with mostly the same songs rotating over and over… Nothing wrong with the classics but maybe it could be good to sometimes make more room for new artists… Might be a good idea to bring speciality shows back that are dedicated to certain genres. And I’m talking about mainstream media here… 

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

Oh, man this is hard… I guess I’d have to say ”October Rust” by Type O Negative. 

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?

There is a certain feel for Vinyl and CD’s because you get the physical product and you can see the cover art etc. But of course, streaming platforms and downloads are easier and the thing today. 

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

I guess there are two gig that come to mind. The first gig we played. Full house and circle pits going on. People from 2 or 3 hours drive away came to see us. For a new band like us it was insane! The other would be the gig last summer when we participated in a national metal band competition and finished second out of 160 bands. We played in the final show in Helsinki and it was a really good gig! 

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

I also have a day job, so I’m doing that. But art wise probably some other form of art. Video production maybe or writing.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

A bit boring answer but my closest friends and my girlfriend.

Although as a fan of history it would be nice to have a dinner party with some of the most famous historical figures if that would be possible. 

What’s next for the band?

We are currently in the process of recording new material for our next release. It should be out at some point early 2023. We are also booking live shows in Finland for next year at the moment.

What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?

Here you can find all of our social media sites, music, videos and merchandise: https://linktr.ee/heathenheartshc

Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?

My brother-in-law is from the UK so I should have some kind of clue… I’d say all the above except a muffin. 

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Thanks so much for having us and keep doing the good work that you do! 

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