Harts

Harts is a solo artist from Melbourne who fuses Indie Rock with Post-Disco, Electro and Funk. With an emphasis on instantly memorable melodies and vibrant sounds, Harts is sure to only get bigger. He took the time to answer a few questions for Can You Hear This.

Even though you are, quite literally, a one man band, why do you have a stage name, and why Harts?

I originally chose to have a stage name to keep anonymity around the project. But now people have starting using my real name everywhere (blogs and the like) so that purpose was kind of defeated.

Also because I feel like I naturally have to two sides to my own character. As cliche as it sounds, the ‘on-stage’ me is different to the ‘off-stage’ me. Two personality’s constantly entwining. Two hearts. And i think that really comes out in the music I make. Its always a fusion of opposite elements.

‘Harts’ because my last name is Hart.

That last part was kinda obvious wasn’t it. How long have you been making music for?

I’ve been making music since I was a young kid, playing in numerous bands along the way before i decided to start my own thing as ‘Harts’. I’ve been working on this project for the last 2 years.

Who have been your biggest musical influences?

I’ve been influenced by so much its really hard to single out artists. I guess the main elements would be late 70′s/early 80′s funk, 60′s Rock/Blues, late 90′s french house and early 00′s indie rock.

What direction do you see your music taking after All Too Real and on a debut album?

Its funny, for the EP I really wanted to capture an electronic funk vibe. It was so different to what i was creating in other bands at the time that i enjoyed it so much. So I’m happy thats done now (release date popping up soon).

But yeah, I have to say, definitely more of a guitar record for an album. I feel like I’m improving as a musician more and more each day, and the thing that really stands out for me now is my guitar ability. And I feel that no one is really doing the shredding Hendrix-y fast blues runs and stuff no more, or even funky guitar riffs. It’s sad to see that impressive guitar playing is almost seen as ‘uncool’ into todays indie world, or at least round here it is.

Sadly, that’s the case here as well. What’s it like having such a powerful radio station (Triple J) backing you so positively.

Radio play in Australia is really hard to get at the moment. And new upcoming bands/artists are really struggling because of the limited streams to ‘get your music out there’ in this country. I’m very fortunate that the folks at Triple J like my music enough and have been supporting me. There so much good music out here and its getting VERY hard for one station to cover it all.

There are many other stations here that do help out and support upcoming artists, but they lack the nationwide impact that Triple J has. So I am very thankful they dig my music, and fingers crossed they’ll keep supporting my musical endeavours.

Has it been hard to get your music out from Aus and to the UK and US markets?

Its always hard when you’re starting anything from scratch. Just trying to get people to listen to your music is a tough thing. It’s such a competition. Again I’m so fortunate to have a few influential figures who have been supporting me and got behind the project to really help me out. All the bloggers/reviewers/music sites have really been flooded with stuff over the past year and im thankful that my music eventually got through to the people.

Im am seeing a trend lately though, most of my ‘buzz’ is coming from the UK, so thats a very positive sign. People seem to be digging it a lot which is what I’d hoped for.

What’s your favourite track you’ve written thus far?

It changes everyday. I guess i would have to say the songs that get written/recorded the quickest are my faves. They come from elsewhere, it doesn’t even feel like they are my own. The title track off my upcoming EP, ‘Offtime’ was one of those tracks.

What’s your favourite song, past or present from other artists?

Dead Leaves & The Dirty Ground – The White Stripes

What’s your best on tour story?

Check back with me in about 6 months time and I’m sure i’ll have a few for you.. Hopefully..

The Vinyl Release – All Too Real

When can people next see you on stage?

In my hometown, Melbourne, this Saturday night (25/8/2012) at the famous Esplanade Hotel. Should be a rockin’ show.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

If all goes to plan I’d like to have released 2 very good albums and hopefully fulfilled the chance to come play in the UK. But I don’t know really, its a hard thing to predict. The music industry is such an unpredictable little thing.

Your house is burning down, which item do you grab and why?

ahhhhh.. Probably a Laptop and any guitar. Two quick and easy things, and could possibly (just possibly..) help me (eventually..) afford to rebuild the house.

Or just use the laptop to find me a real job..

Thanks very much from all of us at Can You Hear This!

You can get everything you would ever want on Harts on his Facebook