The Wandering Hearts Interview
They have since played sold-out headline shows at St Pancras Old Church
and the Borderline, plus a string of summer festivals across the UK
including Bestival, Cornbury, Secret Garden Party and Standon Calling.
The summer highlight for the band was undoubtedly sharing the bill with
Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks at BST Hyde Park. Recently the guys have been added on The Coffee House Sessions tour and I was lucky enough to ask them some questions so we can get to know them a bit more!
1. Can you tell us how did you guys meet and decided to form the band?
Tara and Tim met at a gig and got talking about music. Not long after, they were introduced to AJ and Chess through mutual friends. We decided to get together to have a sing through some songs that Tim had written and from that first rehearsal, it was evident that we had stumbled upon something special! So we got together again and The Wandering Hearts were born!
2. I have to say I am in LOVE with your latest single, Devil. Those powerful vocals and the super infectious chorus got me addicted from the very first listen! How was the writing process for this project? And what was the inspiration for it?
Thank you! Devil came about quite quickly when we were on a writing retreat in the middle of nowhere in Norfolk. It was an organic process and we all instantly loved the song. I guess being musicians, you have to risk quite a lot, and your decisions might not always be supported by others. Devil is about throwing your hands in the air and admitting your flaws and living the life you want to live regardless of what others think you should be doing.
3. Was music part of your lives while growing up? What drew you to become musicians? Do you have that moment where you said “this is what I want to do for the rest of my life?”
We have all been surrounded by music from a very young age. We all took different routes to get to where we are today but I think we all knew pretty early on that music was what we were meant to be doing.
4. What are your musical inspirations and what impact do they have in your songwriting?
We all have varied influences from Americana to folk to pop to rock to blues to country which I guess is what creates The Wandering Hearts sound. The one artist who we all bonded over very early on was Chris Stapleton – he has definitely influenced our writing.
5. I know you had a busy summer playing in festivals. How was sharing the bill with Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks at BST Hyde Park?
The best day ever and the highlight of our careers so far! We feel so lucky to have seen Tom Petty live on his last European tour, he and the Heartbreakers were just incredible. And then of course they did that amazing duet with Stevie Nicks, who we also adore – it was amazing to be a part of that day!
6. Who would be your dream collaboration?
As mentioned, when we got together we all bonded over how much we loved Chris Stapleton’s album 'Traveller'. We were in awe of his songwriting and voice – a collaboration with him would be a dream come true!
7. How’s your album coming along? What can fans expect from it?
The album is all recorded and we can’t wait for it to come out in the new year. It's got a real
mix of songs – some Americana, some traditional folk, some more rocky and country numbers, but at its essence we just have a whole heap of harmonies and some stories that we hope people will relate to.
8. What was the first album each of you ever bought?
Shania Twain – Come On Over, Space – Spiders, Spice Girls – Spice, Michael Jackson – Bad
We were lucky enough to tour with Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives when they came over to the UK last month. We learnt so much from watching them perform every night – their musicianship, professionalism and the bond between the band. I don't think we'd ever tire of listening to them, and when you are watching guys of their calibre, every night is a learning lesson! So after that, I think it would have to be Fleetwood Mac!
10. If you were given the chance to pick one Summer Festival to headline at which one would it be and why?
We absolutely loved playing all the festivals last summer but I think the ultimate for all us would be to one day play Glastonbury – and to headline it, well…we'll keep working hard and keeping those fingers crossed!
11. What music are you currently listening to?
We're on the road a lot at the moment and our playlist is a mixture of HAIM, First Aid Kit, Jessie Ware, Jack Savoretti, Kelsea Ballerini, Eric Paslay, Joseph and Amy Macdonald. Check it out on Spotify.
12. If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life which one would it be and why?
Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. Best album ever.
13. What is your favourite song of 2017?
It's a Chris Stapleton one again, but it'll be hard to beat his beautiful song, 'Either Way'.