HALF HEARTED – AN INTERVIEW WITH SEAN DALKE

Half Hearted is a remarkable four piece alt/hard rock/pop ensemble hailing from Hartford, Ct. who have taken the state by storm. The band has just released their first full length album, Half Hearted, which showcases the group’s strong songwriting and musicianship. The band is comprised of Sean Dalke (Vocals), Jason Grandell (Guitar), Parker Fortune (Drums) and Nicolas Viglione (Bass).

The band’s music has definitely evolved since their 2018 E.P., How To Be Alone. On Half Hearted, the group sheds their emo leanings and attacks with a blast of hardened rock. The new songs have a much sharper edge. Even though the tunes are heavier, Half Hearted infuses them with refreshing pop hooks. The new album has a driving innate energy that is easily transmitted to the listener. Think Castlecomer meets The Unlikely Candidates and Bring Me The Horizon.

Half Hearted released several solid singles before dropping the new record. “One Drink”, “Liar” and “Vicious Cycle” all sparked the anticipation with their robust intensity and upbeat rhythms. Also the band shot some very cool videos to promote the album.

On the album, the band shares, “ We spent the first eight months of 2019 sitting in a tiny room writing/recording these songs. We produced the album ourselves, with no outside help whatsoever, and that resulted in 12 very personal tracks that we are unbelievably proud of. This album is for people who are heartbroken and on the shit end of a relationship. It could be a relationship with another person, an idea, or even a personal goal that you haven’t had much luck completing. It’s for the people who keep coming up short, but never quit.”

On the record Dalke’s vocals are top notch and Grandell’s guitar riffs are truly outstanding. The back beat of Fortune and Viglione is exceptionally sublime. Every song has its own individual identity which demonstrates the bands accomplished songwriting. Besides the a fore mentioned songs, “I’m in Danger” and the ballad “Trading Time” are standouts.

The following is a short interview with lead singer Sean Dalke on the new release and the band’s expectations.

AMP: Walk AMP through your songwriting process?

Dalke: Our songwriting process has drastically changed from anything we’ve done in the past and this new album. In the past we were all working full time day jobs and making music as much as we could. Jay, our guitarist, would write instrumental ideas that we would kind of piece together and then write a top line over. Our writing process changed after we opened our studio (Studio 86), started touring and went full time with our music. I started writing our songs top line (lyrics and melodies) first. I write the entire top line over just a loop or progression. Then when the vocals are 100% we dive in as a band and produce the instrumental around the vocals.

AMP: What do you feel is the biggest contrast between your 2018 E.P. and the new album?

Dalke: The new album is the first thing we’ve done with our new writing process and it’s the first record we’ve self produced, mixed and mastered. Having complete creative control definitely shaped our new unique sound.

AMP: How are you keeping the creative juices flowing during the COV-19 crisis?

Dalke: I’m basically a shut in as it is, haha. Unless we’re playing shows, I rarely leave my house or the studio. We’re still rehearsing for our now rescheduled album release show (June 13th at the Webster Theater in Hartford) and we’re already recording new music.

AMP: What does the future of the band look like?

Dalke: We truly consider this album our debut as a band. Anything we’ve done before now has kind of been a trial run to get where we are presently. We have more content in our vault than ever before and we’re hungry to keep creating, touring and making music we love. You will see a lot more new music sooner than you may have expected.

I want to thank Dalke for his time and I know Half Hearted is going to come out swinging as soon as they can. Download the record and catch them live. Please support local music.

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