6 minute read
Bullet To The Heart
Auditory Transcendence with Bullet To The Heart
Interview by Ken Morton
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After facing life’s trials firsthand, Chicago 4 Piece Alt-Metal/ Hard Rock band Bullet to the Heart was inspired to write music to help others through the issues that challenged them; mental illness, addiction, and personal identity. Their latest album is entitled Transcendence, and it’s an adventure in sounds that is ultimately cathartic and captivating. Bullet To The Heart has opened for the likes of Butchers Babies and Diamante - and are anxious to expand their own friend and fan base known as The Bloodline. Highwire Daze recently interviewed the members of Bullet To The Heart to find out more about this amazing band on the rise!
Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Bullet To The Heart, and how long the band has been together.
Audrey: Hi I am Audrey Queen. I’m the vocalist and Co-Founder of Bullet To The Heart. The band has been together since January of 2017.
scene like there?
BTTH:- The Band is based out of Chicago, IL. Our music scene is very dynamic. There’s a lot of competition between bands, however there is also a great support system within that local scene as well. It’s very challenging to find those who want to build you up instead of tear you down. It’s the constant struggle of being in Chicago. It’s a big city so there is plenty of music pretty much all the time. Things definitely changed after Covid. Finding good and honest promoters has been a little scarce but that’s how the ever-evolving unforgetting City Works.
Is there any overall story or concept behind the album title
Transcendence? Tom: The album title is taken directly from the song Birth of a Tragedy. I think that song in particular and this album in general represent a Transcendence for us as musicians and as songwriters to a more meaningful, nuanced and introspective approach to our music.
Draven: Yo! My name is Draven DC and I’m the drummer and Co-Founder of Bullet To The Heart.
Tom: I’m Tom Monroe and I play bass.
Brian: Hey I’m Brian Benischek I play Guitar.
Where is the band based out of and what is your local music
Audrey: Transcendence is the epitome of wanting more for ones self but falling short. There will always be something trying to hold you back. With perseverance, time, and the support of others, nothing can stop you. From the first song to the last there is a voice pushing you forward, making sure you achieve the greatest version of yourself. Even though darkness lurks around the corner, the smallest of lights can create the brightest stars.
Select two songs from Transcendence and what inspired the lyrics?
Audrey: “Tortured Pleasure” talks about loving someone but not necessarily liking who they are as a person. You know you need them in your life but at the same time you feel like you could walk away. They somehow always pull you back in by your heartstrings. The music video shows this exact concept in the way the couple fights and interacts. There is some level of love and compassion but there is something dark lurking in the background. But in the end it’s never acted on. Life continues the vicious cycle of wanting to leave or stay.
“Falling Away” tells the story of struggling with your inner demons. Going back and forth, being pushed to the edge and pushing yourself away from it, to then finally succumb and fall into yourself. But the war is never over and only starts from where it ended. The video shows a breaking away from one’s self. Being so lost that you lose track of who you really are. Through soul searching there’s a moment where you grasp onto the last bit of hope and claim who you really are.
Who produced Transcendence and what was it like working with them?
Draven: Our videographer Akash Hans of Ritual Noise had a hand in producing a couple songs (Tracks 1-3). Our main producer Jake LoGiudice produced the entire album and he is a great guy to work with. He really knows how to pull the best of each member to make a kick-ass song. We have been working with him ever since our release Trials and Tribulations, which was our sophomore release. So he was the go-to choice during this release, which has a very heavy meaning for the band.
Who did the cover art for Transcendence and how much input did you have on it?
Draven:- So the cover art is done by Audrey and I’s tattooist Paul Joseph Johnson. He does all of the band’s artwork and majority of the merchandise that we sell. He is really a creative, out of the box person when it comes to artwork. As far as input goes, we actually just gave him a couple songs and a very small concept and he pretty much came up with the rest. I personally enjoy when someone of this creative nature can hear the concept in the music and can translate that into an art piece.
You also opened for Diamante. What was that experience like?
Audrey: We got to play with the Diamante a couple times. She is such a sweet and humble person and it was a pleasure to rock the crowd with her and share tequila stories.
If Bullet To The Heart could open for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?
Audrey & Draven: Definitely Disturbed! Would be awesome to play with another Chicago based band who is a legend in the Hard Rock world. They have great Showmanship and huge personalities on stage. One of the best live shows that we’ve seen as a band.
What do you hope 2022 brings for you and for Bullet To The Heart?
Audrey: The expansion of our bloodline. We are always looking for more people who feel outcasted by Society and need a place to belong. The bloodline is always here for you.
Draven: More shows!
What was the experience like opening for Butcher Babies and Infected Rain, and did you get to meet or hang out with them at all?
Audrey: The experience was great! It was awesome to see the performance and Showmanship of the Butcher Babies! It was also very inspiring to hear some industry tips and some pointers behind the scenes from Heidi. Infected Rain brought the house down with their heavy and exciting live show, unfortunately we didn’t get a hang out too long as the show day was absolutely crazy. We were running a little behind schedule and they had a VIP party and of course we had to set up and soundcheck. Hopefully in the future we can hang out with them more. Maybe a tour? Haha. Tom: I hope 2022 offers us the opportunity to share our music with a broader audience, and especially a live audience. The themes of our music are uniquely suited to connect to people who have suffered loss and grief, as so many in our society have the last two years, and we believe this message is best shared and most appreciated with live music.
Any final words of wisdom?
Audrey: Just know you are never alone in this world, within the darkness there is always a light. Always choose love over hate.
