IN HEARTS WAKE
Formed during high school in Byron Bay 20 years ago, metalcore outfit In Hearts Wake has grown to become one of Australia’s most successful heavy music exports.
Through their conscious music, they highlight issues they’re passionate about, especially regarding our environment and sustainability.
In fact, they’re so fired up and dedicated to the cause, In Hearts Wake is the f irst known band to be a registered Carbon Neutral Organisation. Nice one, fellas. In Hearts Wake returns to hit the stage at BASSINTHEGRASS, so Tierney White caught up with frontman Jake Taylor for a yarn.
Jake, great to chat. Keen to make the trek back to the Top End?
Oh, yeah. It's a beautiful place. I feel like the Northern Territory, as far as the rest of Australia goes, sets itself apart. Like, the fans – there's a different energy there whenever we go there … I think there's a bit of a spoilt nature to Sydney and Melbourne, you know, people just being used to us making stops there and coming to shows. But the appreciative mass of fans when we go to Darwin … it feels like a wild place, a wild energy, in the crowd, and it's really fun to play with.
Absolutely. It is a very “yes” audience up here in the Territory, and we're well worth a visit! In Hearts Wake has always used music as a platform to highlight important issues, and human impact on the environment is a biggy for you guys. Why do you reckon music is such a good medium for this?
Well, it's the universal language. Let's be honest. Bands can play anywhere in the world with a well-known song, and even if the fans don't speak the language, they're still singing along. So, it's an incredible platform … there's an opportunity to share in a message or an energy or an emotion or a feeling that's true to the artist. So, it's an incredible opportunity.
A little bit of me cringes whenever the word environment pops up, but I mean, it is true what we do, but it's just, like, environmental issues are really humanitarian issues, and we like to keep a nice, healthy, and abundant home at the end of the day. That's what we're trying to do, without being to militant about any of these things. That's kind of where a lot of our passion lies.
Yeah, and what you mentioned about sharing energy with others, in a world where AI and streaming is so prominent, there's really no substitute for that human connection in a shared space, right?
Yep. There's something about bodies gathered in a space – for people who aren't religious, the people who are religious, for people who just love sports – look, we all know what that feeling is like, you know? To be gathered, lots of people, it really does amplify an energy and feelings. So, it's just incredible to have that live music opportunity when, you know, a few years ago we didn't, and we were like, “oh, wow, we miss gathering, we miss those things.”. So, yeah, it's special.
Totally. It’s like we're all on the same team, rooting for the same team, you know, at the same time.
Yeah, here for enjoyment and to be inspired, and to, ultimately, have a good time.
Things are a bit scary or uncertain right now, the world goes through these phases. What role do you think music plays during challenging times?
I think, I feel like it's the community gathering peace … We feel like we're gathering to see artists, but really we're gathering together, fans and artists … That's the artists’ role, is the community building peace. Same thing with the role of the chef or the cook, the heart of the village is the food. I feel like the art is what's bringing it all together in these sorts of spaces.
Yeah, absolutely.
And we need that, right? More than ever. To remember – not what we’re fighting for – but why we're alive. And why it's so amazing to be alive on this planet.
Yes, well said, my friend. In a world of streaming, the need to tour and sell merch is probably more important than it ever has been, but then you also have this conflict where touring has an impact on the environment, often not financially viable. How can we as punters get around our musos?
It's a good question. I mean, turning up for the shows is extremely helpful. And I feel like there's something really special about buying a t-shirt or a piece of merch, because … at the end of the day, your dollar, your money, it's just a form of energy that you've either worked for or received. It's all energy – we just give it value – but it's a vote … I'm or fellowship – that's the real celebration! – and that needs to be had next month [laughs]. voting for that band, for that shirt, that piece of art that that band has made on a physical item, which I then wear. It's like wearing your colours, a flag, you know?
So, there's something about that, which then other people see, too. People take the shirts home, and that has a different kind of a ripple-on effect rather than just turning up to a show. So, I think they go hand in hand.
Yeah, it's ambassador ship, isn't it?
Yeah, it's ambassador ship. And obviously the online stuff … boosting, liking or commenting, supporting the things that you really resonate with often helps artists build traction or receive, you know, interests from labels or all kinds of spaces. So, it's really just like, when you see something that you support, do what you can to get behind it.
On a very positive note, you guys have been around for 20 years this year – huge, congrats! Did you ever expect that, Jake?
Um, yeah, I guess I'm really realising that! We kind of had multiple opportunities to change the band name or evolve – because we started in high school, we were quite young, where most artists would use what they learn in those high school bands to reform new ones. So, it is a testament to be doing it under the same name, and I guess … being in the space of being an artist for 20 years is, well, what a privilege, really. So, there's something to celebrate there. I think I need to celebrate that with the brotherhood, too, of the guys, you know, there's a friendship or fellowship – that's the real celebration! – and that needs to be had next month [laughs].
Yes, absolutely. We can’t wait to see you at BASSINTHEGRASS. Are there any acts on the line-up you’re keen to check out?
There’s actually – there’s plenty! Sometimes at these alternative festivals, there's hype acts that I haven’t yet discovered yet, which I'm sure are incredible. With this particular festival, there's a lot of acts … The Living End, for instance, I had one of their CDs when I was a kid, and was just like, what – a guy standing on a double bass?
I feel like, you know, The Living End, Denzel Curry – that’s a pretty incredible headliner to witness, just his energy in his performance. Ninajirachi is pretty incredible as well, Kobie Dee, he's really cool. There’s lots of diversity and I just love that we're a part of that.
Yeah, and it's gonna be beautiful down there next to the next to the ocean, the sunset, the palm trees, it's all very iconic. I hope you have a magical experience both as punter and as performer. Are you in town for long, get to make a bit of a trip out of it?
No, we'll be there the day before and then we'll leave the day after, most probably. It's challenging when you have crew and gear. I'm just like, let's just stay and go adventuring! … If we could just travel light, then I would fully stay, and just take a backpack and go out west.
Yeah, well, add that to the bucket list. You're welcome back any time, Jake!
BASSINTHEGRASS
WHEN SAT 16 MAY | 2PM AT MINDIL BEACH
COST $155
INFO bassinthegrass.com.au
