Jake Taylor - In Hearts Wake (10/06/2014)
In Hearts Wake are a forced to be reckoned with. After the boys from Byron's stellar debut of Divination, the band were launched into the limelight and given the opportunity to tour Australia countless times over. Their blend of heavy breakdowns and riffs, combined with soulful vocal and guitar melodies has secured them a place in the hearts of a wide audience.
Only this month did the band release their impeccably brilliant sophomore record, Earthwalker. Taking a stand for the environment and the world we call home, In Hearts Wake managed to secure a spot at number five on the ARIA charts upon release.
"It's a huge achievement," says lead vocalist and lyricist Jake Taylor, "to get that spot against artists like Lilly Allen and other pop stars. [We never thought] we'd get that because to think like that is a fool's errand. You don't want to dream too big! But number five is awesome, I'm actually stoked we didn't get number one, then we'd have a lot to live up to [on the next one!]"
But numbers and dollar signs make no statement in quality. Albums can just as easily be aesthetic and musical travesties as they are commercial giants. It takes practise and technique to create an album that is worth the place on the charts and the sales and as Taylor explains, Earthwalker is looking like one of those albums.
"Critically the response has been great! All four stars, eight out tens or eighty out of a hundreds," the screamer says humbly.
"Our last album, Divination, we weren't really sure with those songs and how'd they go down live and what not as such there weren't as many positive reviews and responses but we really wanted to step that up for Earthwalker as that was the goal really. As an artists your own worst-slash-best critic and you're never fully happy but we did the best we could and the critical and fan response has been outstanding."
As is the custom in today's society, when an record is dropped, the "album cycle" begins. This involves everything from promotion to interviews and the always welcome addition of tours.
The Earthwalker Tour is set to cross the country in June with locals Sierra, Endless Heights and Dream On, Dreamer along for the ride with international act Being As An Ocean also making an appearance. With dates already utilising the dreaded red "SOLD OUT" sign, Taylor is showing no nervous tendencies at all.
"I'm not nervous at all, I'm just really anxious to play the shows!" he laughs.
Yet what's interesting is his almost literal addiction to performing live.
"When you play live shows more and more, it becomes like a dietary need. It's your lifestyle and it's habit. So not playing shows really makes you almost uncomfortable and easily excited I guess. There's really nothing like sharing that experience with the audience!" he says excitedly. "It's put us in a bit of limbo where we can't wait to just get out and play!"
As stated, these shows have been selling out in small time and what's more impressive,if that these aren't your run-of-the-mill Youth Centres of Halls, these are full fledged live venues. From clubs to all age stages, these shows are going to be crammed full of kids screaming the words loud and throwing down even harder.
"I'm not sure we had expectations [on selling out]. I've seen tours of lesser calibre sell out so it wasn't too big of a surprise, especially with all the bands we managed to bring on being of such high quality; especially in such a competitive touring environment," he tells us confidently.
Upon listening to Earthwalker, one feels the influence of nature and the environment heavily within the soundscapes. The album speaks out against politicians and corporations and people in general who are ruining the earth through greed and corruption.
Earthwalker serves as a reminder that this world is fragile and must be taken care of. As the line on the final track, Mother states: "The blood in your veins/is like the sap in the trees". We tend to forget the ground we tread upon is in itself a living breathing entity.
It's a strong subject, but one close to the members of In Hearts Wake.
"If you've ever been to the Byron Shire, you'll know it's just a beautiful place. Anyone who goes there wants to move there spits due to it's environmental lusciousness. You have your beaches and your rain forests and growing up here, you get to really appreciate it."
But it took more then just living there to truly grasp the beauty and wonder of the land. After spending time with his family in America, his father in Sydney and landing in airports in Singapore and the like did he begin to understand what an amazing place he had back home.
"When I realised how much the land was impacting me did I start to think everyone should feel this. Whether it's just a society dwelling like New York's Central Park, [the environment] can really affect your day."
The ignorance of the government is also something the band take very personally and for good reason.
"We're in dark times with the Abbot Government being so blind and neglectful towards the environment. That's why for every bundle we put out, we would plant a tree and I know the figures are still growing but the number is over twelve-hundred. And if you think about it, all those trees planted in the one place is a forest. It's using our music as a catalyst for change and I think that's something a lot of bands should get on board with because if we don't act now, we could lose this world and that's a very scary thought," Taylor informs us almost solemnly.
When looking at the aesthetics of Earthwalker, there are no doubt similarities between Divination that stick out very strongly. Yet there appears to be a joke amongst some that Earthwalker is identical to Divination, calling it Divination 2.0. Although some may take it to offence, Taylor disregards it like any musician should.
"No matter what, there will always be haters. They'll always try to push your buttons and that's fine. If it's not for them, it's not for them. But I can respond to those jokes that we ARE the same band. We recorded [Earthwalker] in the same studio and the members are the same and the writers are the same. We're just older and that's why it's a 2.0 because we are the same band just a few years older. But in saying that I think there are still big differences. I think there's a lot more [power] in the layering and vibe wise. There's a lot of light and dark on the record I think. Kyle [Erich, clean vocals/bass] and I added a lot more attitude and stepped up our execution a bit more this time round. We do a bit of back and forth and sometimes like on the song Gravity we do the same thing to back each other up."
Matty Sievers
Only this month did the band release their impeccably brilliant sophomore record, Earthwalker. Taking a stand for the environment and the world we call home, In Hearts Wake managed to secure a spot at number five on the ARIA charts upon release.
"It's a huge achievement," says lead vocalist and lyricist Jake Taylor, "to get that spot against artists like Lilly Allen and other pop stars. [We never thought] we'd get that because to think like that is a fool's errand. You don't want to dream too big! But number five is awesome, I'm actually stoked we didn't get number one, then we'd have a lot to live up to [on the next one!]"
But numbers and dollar signs make no statement in quality. Albums can just as easily be aesthetic and musical travesties as they are commercial giants. It takes practise and technique to create an album that is worth the place on the charts and the sales and as Taylor explains, Earthwalker is looking like one of those albums.
"Critically the response has been great! All four stars, eight out tens or eighty out of a hundreds," the screamer says humbly.
"Our last album, Divination, we weren't really sure with those songs and how'd they go down live and what not as such there weren't as many positive reviews and responses but we really wanted to step that up for Earthwalker as that was the goal really. As an artists your own worst-slash-best critic and you're never fully happy but we did the best we could and the critical and fan response has been outstanding."
As is the custom in today's society, when an record is dropped, the "album cycle" begins. This involves everything from promotion to interviews and the always welcome addition of tours.
The Earthwalker Tour is set to cross the country in June with locals Sierra, Endless Heights and Dream On, Dreamer along for the ride with international act Being As An Ocean also making an appearance. With dates already utilising the dreaded red "SOLD OUT" sign, Taylor is showing no nervous tendencies at all.
"I'm not nervous at all, I'm just really anxious to play the shows!" he laughs.
Yet what's interesting is his almost literal addiction to performing live.
"When you play live shows more and more, it becomes like a dietary need. It's your lifestyle and it's habit. So not playing shows really makes you almost uncomfortable and easily excited I guess. There's really nothing like sharing that experience with the audience!" he says excitedly. "It's put us in a bit of limbo where we can't wait to just get out and play!"
As stated, these shows have been selling out in small time and what's more impressive,if that these aren't your run-of-the-mill Youth Centres of Halls, these are full fledged live venues. From clubs to all age stages, these shows are going to be crammed full of kids screaming the words loud and throwing down even harder.
"I'm not sure we had expectations [on selling out]. I've seen tours of lesser calibre sell out so it wasn't too big of a surprise, especially with all the bands we managed to bring on being of such high quality; especially in such a competitive touring environment," he tells us confidently.
Upon listening to Earthwalker, one feels the influence of nature and the environment heavily within the soundscapes. The album speaks out against politicians and corporations and people in general who are ruining the earth through greed and corruption.
Earthwalker serves as a reminder that this world is fragile and must be taken care of. As the line on the final track, Mother states: "The blood in your veins/is like the sap in the trees". We tend to forget the ground we tread upon is in itself a living breathing entity.
It's a strong subject, but one close to the members of In Hearts Wake.
"If you've ever been to the Byron Shire, you'll know it's just a beautiful place. Anyone who goes there wants to move there spits due to it's environmental lusciousness. You have your beaches and your rain forests and growing up here, you get to really appreciate it."
But it took more then just living there to truly grasp the beauty and wonder of the land. After spending time with his family in America, his father in Sydney and landing in airports in Singapore and the like did he begin to understand what an amazing place he had back home.
"When I realised how much the land was impacting me did I start to think everyone should feel this. Whether it's just a society dwelling like New York's Central Park, [the environment] can really affect your day."
The ignorance of the government is also something the band take very personally and for good reason.
"We're in dark times with the Abbot Government being so blind and neglectful towards the environment. That's why for every bundle we put out, we would plant a tree and I know the figures are still growing but the number is over twelve-hundred. And if you think about it, all those trees planted in the one place is a forest. It's using our music as a catalyst for change and I think that's something a lot of bands should get on board with because if we don't act now, we could lose this world and that's a very scary thought," Taylor informs us almost solemnly.
When looking at the aesthetics of Earthwalker, there are no doubt similarities between Divination that stick out very strongly. Yet there appears to be a joke amongst some that Earthwalker is identical to Divination, calling it Divination 2.0. Although some may take it to offence, Taylor disregards it like any musician should.
"No matter what, there will always be haters. They'll always try to push your buttons and that's fine. If it's not for them, it's not for them. But I can respond to those jokes that we ARE the same band. We recorded [Earthwalker] in the same studio and the members are the same and the writers are the same. We're just older and that's why it's a 2.0 because we are the same band just a few years older. But in saying that I think there are still big differences. I think there's a lot more [power] in the layering and vibe wise. There's a lot of light and dark on the record I think. Kyle [Erich, clean vocals/bass] and I added a lot more attitude and stepped up our execution a bit more this time round. We do a bit of back and forth and sometimes like on the song Gravity we do the same thing to back each other up."
Matty Sievers
IN HEARTS WAKE
EARTHWALKER NATIONAL TOUR
JUNE 2014
with guests Dream On Dreamer, Being As An Ocean (USA), Endless Heights and Sierra
Wednesday 4th June - YMCA HQ, Perth WA (AA) *
Thursday 5th June - Amplifier Bar, Perth WA (18+) *
Friday 6th June - Fowlers Live, Adelaide SA (Lic/AA)
Saturday 7th June - The Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC (18+)
Sunday 8th June - Arrow on Swanston, Melbourne VIC (AA)
Wednesday 11th June - Zierholz, Canberra ACT (18+)
Thursday 12th June - Small Ballroom, Newcastle NSW (18+)
Friday 13th June - Bald Faced Stag, Sydney NSW (18+)
Saturday 14th June - Bald Faced Stag, Sydney NSW (AA)
Sunday 15th June - The Tempo Hotel, Brisbane QLD (18+)
*Endless Heights not appearing in Western Australia
EARTHWALKER NATIONAL TOUR
JUNE 2014
with guests Dream On Dreamer, Being As An Ocean (USA), Endless Heights and Sierra
Wednesday 4th June - YMCA HQ, Perth WA (AA) *
Thursday 5th June - Amplifier Bar, Perth WA (18+) *
Friday 6th June - Fowlers Live, Adelaide SA (Lic/AA)
Saturday 7th June - The Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC (18+)
Sunday 8th June - Arrow on Swanston, Melbourne VIC (AA)
Wednesday 11th June - Zierholz, Canberra ACT (18+)
Thursday 12th June - Small Ballroom, Newcastle NSW (18+)
Friday 13th June - Bald Faced Stag, Sydney NSW (18+)
Saturday 14th June - Bald Faced Stag, Sydney NSW (AA)
Sunday 15th June - The Tempo Hotel, Brisbane QLD (18+)
*Endless Heights not appearing in Western Australia