Presenting reality in a theatrical way – Interview with Heartlay

Heartlay, the France-based industrial/contemporary metal band – inspired mostly by significant and deep emotional experiences – has four members. Aaron Sadrin – vocalist and creative producer, responsible for all instrumental parts – answered our questions, mostly regarding to their inspirations, to the process of how their songs are born and to their influences.

Interviewee:

Aaron Sadrin (vocals, all instruments)

Heartlay
Aaron Sadrin – vocals, all instruments
Jeff Thibaud – guitar
Antoine Verdier – bass
Nicolas Sindres - drums

ViQ: Hi Aaron, can you share the origin story of the band and how each member’s background contributes to your unique sound?

Aaron: I have started the band in its earliest entity in the mid-2010’s, made a few demos, played a few shows, but I consider the actual story to have really began in 2017 when debut Close To Collapse came out. 

Your music blends elements of various genres. How has the band’s sound evolved since its inception, and what influences have shaped your musical journey?

Aaron: I think the influences pretty much stayed the same over time, but the approach of making art inside the band has evolved a lot. With time and experience going on, I also do my best to make a distinctive sound, singular lyrics, identifiable cover arts and so forth. The same thing applies to our shows. The idea is to be Heartlay, not any other entity.

Heartlay’s lyrics often delve into deep and emotive themes. Can you shed light on the inspiration behind your lyricism and the messages you aim to convey through your music?

Aaron: I always wanted my lyrics to be very confessional. It is about reality, in a theatrical way, but still it is what’s in my head that triggers the ideas on what to write about. Common themes include love, adversity, hope, sorrow, healing. Then the songs come out, and I see people reinterpreting the lyrics in their own way. I often find their interpretation of them more interesting than what I was thinking about.

Walk us through your creative process when producing new music. How do individual ideas come together, and what role does collaboration play in shaping your tracks? Do you have favourite bands who inspire your creative process?

Aaron: So my role is making all the music and graphic design things. There’s not really a magic formula in it except deciding to work on it and try to do better each time. I think the influential bands for us pretty much stayed the same over time, but the songwriting has changed, evolved with experience and maturity.

I enjoy your music’s uniqueness, while I can see in it an early 00’s goth-rock flash with a fine mix of Thirty seconds to Mars and Placebo, like in “Carnivore As well”. If you would choose another genre beside of metal, what would it be?

Aaron: Perhaps I’d say electronica, especially in the meaning it had in a 2000’s kind of context. I’m a fan of artists like Aphex Twin, Björk; I always wanted to insert inspirations like that among the guitar abrasiveness. But film music as well of course. I think I’m just interested in what I consider to be visual music in general, regardless of the genre, music that inspires your images and actions.  

For those who haven’t experienced a Heartlay live performance, what can they expect? How do you aim to connect with your audience during your shows?

Aaron: Intense energy and presence. Emotional connection with the audience is pretty important for us, there’s a ritualistic side about playing this intense kind of music and feeling the audience resonating with it, sharing this deep experience with us.

Being part of the underground music scene comes with its own set of challenges. What are some obstacles you’ve faced, and how have you overcome them? Any particularly memorable triumphs along the way?

Aaron: I think one of the most important challenges we succeed at is becoming a very self-contained entity, able to make everything by ourselves without any third party. Having an audience resonating with all of it is pretty awesome.   

How do you engage with your fanbase and the broader music community? Are there specific platforms or events that have played a significant role in connecting with your audience?

Aaron: Social media has obviously made an important impact on how you can connect with people with your art, what makes you who you are as an artist. I think this fits us well, as we like to keep a sincere and straightforward connection with the audience. 

Among your own discography, do you have favourite tracks that hold special meaning to each of you? Any personal picks that you feel define Heartlay’s essence?

Aaron: I personally enjoy sometimes listening to some lesser-known songs like The Oath Part. I & II, It Burns On It’s Own. I think tracks such as Out Of The Wreckage, Broken Seams or So Mortal are well representative of the band as a whole. 

What’s next for Heartlay? Are there upcoming projects, collaborations, or aspirations that you’re excited to share with your fans? 

Aaron: Lots of new tracks are in the pipeline right now, can’t wait to unveil them next year. Also it is exciting for us to play more in Europe and in the UK as a whole.

For aspiring musicians in the underground scene, what advice would you give based on your own experiences and the journey Heartlay has taken in the music industry?

Aaron: I think the most important thing to keep in mind is to do it for the right reasons. You must enjoy the process of making music and playing, even without expectations. Then if your goal is to grow an audience and make it a career, I’d say: work hard and smart, stay down to earth, be patient, be self-sufficient, always do the best you can, don’t get scammed, be nice to each other. That should be a good start.

Thank you for taking your time and sharing your thoughts and experiences with us. Wishing you a successful 2024 in and out of Heartlay!

Check out the band on their socials, too!

Heartlay


Concert photos: Herczeg Balázs

by: ViQ

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