The Head And The Heart x Topo Designs
After the release of The Head And The Heart's 6th studio album, "Aperture", they put together a playlist for Topo Designs before heading out on the road.
From frontman/vocalist/guitarist Jonathan Russell: "After making a record I feel depleted. I get quiet. I read books again. I take long walks with my family and I listen to what people around me are experiencing. Eventually I start yearning for musical sounds again or maybe a distant memory of what once was will start to trickle in. This playlist is a blend of old and new sounds to my ears."
Interview with Jonathan Russell:
Tell us a little bit about the new album, we're very excited:
Our new album Aperture is what The Head And The Heart sound like currently. It's what happens when the 6 of us all get together and write, together (Sometimes smaller groups at first).
We took our time making this album. We self-produced Aperture with the help of close friends as engineers. We created limitations for ourselves by imagining ourselves playing the songs live and staying as close to that as possible in the studio. It reminds me of our first record in that way but with the add-age of 15 years of life and touring experiences.
What's it like to be in a band where the members live all over the country?
Being in a band that lives spread out all over the country has its challenges for sure. The main thing being how do we all get together and write. This time around we were vigilant with the calendar, haha. Actually putting writing trips on the books and holding ourselves to those dates. It also has its upside. It allows us to all live in our perspective places of origin. And that, I think, is part of our sound. A sort of melting pot of America.
How does the studio sound translate into the live presentation?
Using it as one of the limitations we set for ourselves, you can definitely get carried away in the studio with having too much at your disposal. We really tried to rein it in on Aperture. More of a band in a room.
What do you do to stay sane on tour? The schedule can be very rigorous, do you work out? Yoga? Hit the local trails? Go for a run/bike?
We each have our own routine for staying sane on tour. Matty and Charity do a lot of sightseeing with their kids. Chris is basically a pro golfer these days. Kenny dips his toe in all sorts of activity out here. Tyler will also join in the golf. I have my nose in a book most of these days with an occasional workout or leisurely jog.
Staying off the group text threads with decisions has been helpful as well. Trying to get up as a group and check in at-least once a day helps us to stay connected.
Favorite tour food....!
Favorite tour food is typically the one I won't let myself have. Most common tour food, salad with protein.
(As I dream of pizza and cannoli)
Tell us a little bit about the playlist, if there are any golden nuggets in there. Or any other favorite/inspiring musicians...
We made a playlist of artists and songs we are listening to now as a release from making Aperture. Personally I tend to protect myself from listening to anything too similar to our sound when making an album. So it's been nice to check back in with what our contemporaries have been working on.
Check out THATH at theheadandtheheart.com.
See what they're up to on social here.
