The Refrain Interview; Half Heard Voices

Half Heard Voices is an American progressive metal band founded in Frederick, Maryland. The group’s sonics treat the user to a myriad of ambient guitar harmonies and clean vocals, then quickly transition into a barrage of riff-driven discord. Their latest single, “Sounds of Panic”, has just dropped, and it’s a banger.

Originated in 2019, the group comprises of new singer Alex Conner, guitarists Dillon Baird and Jeremy Sabine, bassist Stefan Sandman, and drummer Patrick Firestein.

We had a chance to interview Half Heard Voices as part of our Refrain interview series. Check it out below.

Refrain Music Blog: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. You have a new single out now. What’s it called?

“Sounds of Panic”

RMB: What is the song about, in terms of lyrics? Any overarching messages or themes?

Half Heard Voices: “Sounds of Panic” examines the bombings of WW2 in Japan. There is a book, Hibakusha: Survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that recounts chilling tales of these survivors of the atomic bombs: children standing and singing in black radioactive rain, first responders were annihilated on impact making conditions for survivors worse for weeks, parents begging for forgiveness as they leave children in rubble to die. It questions the brashness and egos of those responsible for making the decision to destroy so much human life, while never having to face its effects firsthand.

RMB: Is this single part of an album? If so, tell us a little bit about that.

HHV: The song is from our currently-releasing sophomore EP Twelve Way War. We say “currently-releasing” because like many other artists, we’re in the process of debuting this EP one song at a time. After “Sounds of Panic”, two tracks remain.

RMB: How does this single differ from your previous work?

This is our heaviest track, partly due to the fact that it’s played in our lower tuning and has a great deal of droning low notes.

RMB: What’s the story on how it was recorded? The Who, When, Where etc. Was it a long process or quick? Any good stories about the recording process?

This was the first song tracked and completed for the new EP. It’s ever so slightly the outlier in this batch of songs. We had just brought on Alex as our new singer and were still feeling out his style, range, and creativity. After Alex relocated closer to the band, we began recording this album across four different home studios. When the initial pandemic lockdown hit, we decided to use our time wisely, make some music, and be proactive.

RMB: Tell us a little about the band. Who all is in it and how did you form? How long have you been together?

The band was formed as a studio project in 2019. The current band member lineup: Alex Conner, Dillon Baird, Stefan Sandman, Jeremy Sabine, and Patrick Firestein.

RMB: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

We like to say Half Heard Voices is for fans of Periphery, Killswitch Engage, Between the Buried and Me. Some of our favorite artists also include Soilwork, He Is Legend, and I Am Abomination.

RMB: What’s the one thing you are most proud of in your career so far?

We’ve developed the perfect team for Half Heard Voices. This includes our producer Derek Line of Ballenger Studios and Travis “Skip” McGregor (he handles our photo/video). These guys, in a BIG way, are responsible for how our fans perceive us. Consistency in a sonic footprint and image is important to us. It’s been great learning and growing alongside these guys!

RMB: If you had to pitch your music to a potential fan in less than 10 seconds, what would you say?

I’d tell them Half Heard Voices is a progressive metal band with a rock n’ roll mentality. We love technical-playing, but through big amps and traditional pedalboards and effects. We’re arrangement-driven. The sound is made up of lower tunings but plastered with guitar solos over unique “solo beds”. It’s a heavy verse but that usually lets up with an anthemic chorus.

RMB: What’s one piece of advice you’ve gotten that you think everyone needs to hear or that has meant the most to you?

“Make the music YOU want to hear.”

RMB: If you could go back in time, what’s a piece of advice you would give to a younger you?

Sleep is important too!

RMB: What’s coming up next for your musical project?

We’re well-underway in the writing of our third release. After we completed these six tracks we felt so sighted-in and inspired, we got straight to work on the next batch for you guys. We’re kicking our own ass on some of these new tempos. Get ready to move!

RMB: Anything we haven’t thought of that you want to talk about?

Check out halfheardvoices.com and be on the lookout for our CD-Release Show and first festival date (Rock Fest in Wisconsin) this July.