Interview with The Young Hearts

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

Our parents were a huge reason why we got into music I think. Having a huge range of artists constantly being played in the background at home, being taken to shows at a young age and being influenced in that way is always going to be a huge factor.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

To be honest, I think we just enjoy hanging out, having a few beers and generally socializing. Take a walk into our hometown on a Saturday night, and chances are you’ll find us singing our lungs out to Springsteen songs at some bar after a few too many. I think spending time with your friends, listening to the music you love, and just enjoying life is a great way to get inspired.

How long has your band been around? Also, please tell me about the dynamic of the band of what brought you all together.

The Young Hearts was originally formed in 2013, off the back of a previous band. We’d kind of burnt ourselves out, trying to fit into a scene we were never really comfortable with, but starting The Young Hearts, we began to write for ourselves, and make the music that we wanted to hear. That love of just making music with your friends is what keeps this band going.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

We are based in a small town on the South East coast called Deal. I think living in a small town always has some form of effect on the music you write. Growing up is a major theme of our song writing, so our hometown and the memories and stories we have because of it, are always going to come through. 

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

It was just one of those things where you just make a list of a load of random band names and see what stands out. I think The Young Hearts appealed the most because it sums up the identity of the band. We are all in our thirties, so by no means are we youngsters in this field, but the passion and the drive we have to make music is the same as it was when we were teenagers just starting out in this game. 

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

We’ve been lucky enough to play some incredible shows over the years and it’s tough to choose particular ones, but our hometown comeback show last July at The Lighthouse will always be a favourite. We were coming back off hiatus, hadn’t played a show in two and a half years, and didn’t really know if people would care anymore. But, we sold the place out, had people watching from outside the venue who couldn’t get in, and it was just the perfect evening. Can’t put into words how unbelievably honoured we were.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

I think The Jacaranda in Liverpool was a fantastic venue, would love to go back there again, and Joiners in Southampton is always a pleasure. I don’t think we have specific venues we want to play, we’d just like the opportunity to perform to bigger audiences and show more people what we have to offer. 

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

The dream would be to open up Wembley Stadium for someone like Bruce Springsteen or The Killers. The whole experience of a stadium show is one of a kind, and to actually be able to perform on that stage would be unreal. 

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

The best advice I could offer is make sure you always enjoy it, and write the music that you love. I’ve spent years in previous bands making music to fit into a scene and it’s become a chore. Being in a band should first and foremost always be fun. You don’t choose to pour all the time, energy and money into something that’s not enjoyable. 

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Our song ‘The Way Back’ is probably the one that means the most right now. It’s the song we wrote that brought us back from hiatus. We were so close to calling it a day for good, but this song is all about how we found our way back, and realised that we can make The Young Hearts work, without having some major end goal. We just wanted to make music together again. 

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Our favourites at the moment are the new songs cause we’ve only just started playing them live and we’re really excited about the new material. ‘London’ is probably our most requested as well as ‘Fool’s Gold’, two singles from our debut album ‘The Modern State’.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

I will usually write a basic song and demo it for the rest of the band. Then we’ll all pick it apart in the studio, and build it up as we record it so it’s the best it possibly can be. It sounds pretty obvious but music is what inspires us more than anything. Hearing a new song from your favourite band is all we really need to feel inspired to write. 

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

I’d like to think that our songs have a positive message, about making the most of life, doing the things you love, and ultimately trying to be the best version of yourself, whilst tackling the issues that come with growing up. 

Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about?

We have two recent singles, ‘The Way Back’ and ‘A Charmed Society’, both of which will be on a second album due for release later this year. You can find the videos on YouTube, and they’re available to listen to on all digital streaming platforms. 

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Our plan right now is to finish our second record and release some more music. After that we can start thinking about touring again. It’s been a while since we last managed to travel round the country playing music, and we miss it a lot. 

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

We’re on pretty much all the social media platforms. Our Instagram is probably our most active which is @theyoungheartsofficial but you’ll find us on Facebook, Twitter, even TikTok.