Hearts & Hand Grenades Music Interview ~ Gothic Girl Art Magazine
“Make sure to bring a warm cuddly blanket with you because we’re that type of band–right before we burn your hair off!” ~ Stephanie Wlosinski, lead vocals and bass, Hearts & Hand Grenades
The best way to experience the band is live through their extensive touring in the US and UK.
Thankfully, they’re getting ready to release Where I Begin, their third album, with Eclipse Records, on January 26, 2024. So curl up with Burn (By My Fire), their first single available today, while you prepare for the onslaught of their 2024 tour.
We virtually sat down with Stephanie Wlosinski and Mike Bress (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals) to learn more about what drives their metal-meets-gothic band and why they’re the antithesis of noonoouri, Warner Music’s new Artificial Intelligence (AI) pop star.
Hearts & Hand Grenades Burn (By My Fire) video~ Directed by Nick Sonricker. Music recorded by Justin Rose at GCR Audio. Mixed and mastered by Jeremy Tabor at Triple Zero Music. Filmed at The Palace Theater, Hamburg, New York.
(Interview continues after the video)
Gothic Girl Art Magazine~ Where is home?
HEARTS & HAND GRENADES~ “Buffalo, New York.”
Gothic Girl Art Magazine~ Rumor has it that you met while Mike was teaching martial arts?
HEARTS & HAND GRENADES~ Stephanie
“I was running at the dojo where Mike [Editor: Mike is a Black Belt] taught and overheard him talking about needing a new bass player. I kept saying, ‘It’s me! You need me!’ And he kept saying ‘no,’ which eventually turned to ‘yes.'”
Gothic Girl Art Magazine~ We’re all laughing at this point. Which quickly led to the discovery that they have a fun and dark sense of humor–everywhere. In interviews, while writing, and on stage.
Gothic Girl Art Magazine~ Your music and humor both feel gothic
HEARTS & HAND GRENADES~ Mike
“Gothic is all about dark and mysterious, not evil. Stephanie’s soul is black and withered and without pity.”
Gothic Girl Art Magazine~ Who are the other members of the band?
HEARTS & HAND GRENADES~ Mike
“Kenny Blesy plays lead guitars on our upcoming album, and Cory Michalski is on drums.”
(Interview continues after the photograph)
(Left to right) Mike Bress~ guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
Kenny Blesy~ lead guitars
Stefanie Wlosinsk~ lead vocals and bass
Photography by~ Meredith Snow, used by permission
Gothic Girl Art Magazine~ Yet, there’s a fifth member, right?
HEARTS & HAND GRENADES~ Stephanie
“Lillith.”
Gothic Girl Ar Magazine~ Who is Lillith?
HEARTS & HAND GRENADES~ Stephanie
“She started out as our goto mascot on the cover of our Turning to Ashes album. Now, she’s visually telling a story on each album cover thanks to the art of Jeff Ballance.
Turning to Ashes (2020)~ I’m here, hear me roar.
Between the Lines (2021)~ Aftermath.
Human (2022 single)~ She isn’t what she seems.
Where I Begin (2024)~ Rise up and take control.”
Gothic Girl Art Magazine~ How would you describe your music?
HEARTS & HAND GRENADES
Stephanie~ “We’re an unconventional metal band.”
Mike~ “Komplete Kaos.”
Gothic Girl Art Magazine~ How does your songwriting process work?
HEARTS & HAND GRENADES
Mike~ “It usually starts with a guitar riff. Then I say to Stephanie on a song like Better Off Alone: ‘This is a song, go write lyrics.'”
Stephanie~ “(Laughing) When I come up with a melody or lyrics first, it usually doesn’t work for Mike. With exceptions like Bad Medicine and Beautiful Pain.”
Mike~ “Burn started off with a guitar riff…”
Stephanie~ “…then the day before we recorded it, I told Mike, ‘the song needs keys’!”
Mike~ “The day before! But now I can’t imagine Burn without keys.”
Gothic Girl Art Magazine~ What is Burn (By My Fire) about?
HEARTS & HAND GRENADES ~Stephanie
“The band being underestimated. Me being underestimated. Things like people saying ‘no female-fronted bands.’ In 2023. It pisses me off but also motivates me.”
(Interview continues after the photograph)
Stefanie Wlosinsk~ lead vocals and bass
Photography by~ Meredith Snow, used by permission
Gothic Girl Art Magazine~ Speaking of being underestimated, there’s been a lot of talk about Artificial Intelligence (AI) taking over artist’s jobs. To the point that Hollywood is essentially on strike [Editor: Writers and actors]. It’s understandable with Warner Music releasing the song Dominoes by noonoouri, an AI created by German designer Joerg Zuber.
HEARTS & HAND GRENADES
Stephanie~ “Why wouldn’t Warner do this? It’s a way to more control and higher profit for them. We’re not going to change; we’ll just keep trying.”
Mike~ “We enjoy live music; that’s why we do this. As soon as it turns fake, what’s the point?”
Gothic Girl Art Magazine~ If you want comfort and convenience, something like a noonoouri is for you. On the other hand, if you want the experience and electricity that only a live human connection can bring you through music, then Hearts & Hand Grenades is for you!
Here’s singer/songwriter Mary Spender’s viewpoint on AI and music.
Cover photo~
Hearts & Hand Grenades
Stefanie Wlosinsk~ lead vocals and bass
Photography by~ Meredith Snow, used by permission
USA