James Hart Talks New Burn Halo Album
Hairstylist by day and rock star by night James Hart is here to prove fasioncore is still alive and well. After getting a taste of the music life with Eighteen Visions and continuing on to Burn Halo James has played more than his fair share of shows. By the Barricade stopped by Gods and Heros Salon to talk with James about blending the worlds of hairstyling with metal and we found out a little more about Burn Halo’s upcoming album Wolves of War. The full transcripts are available below.
By the Barricade: Last time I saw Burn Halo it was almost a completely different band. What’s it like now?
James Hart: We experienced some setbacks before we did the last leg of touring in Oklahoma. For personal reasons some band members didn’t want to push through it. I have a few guys up in Sacramento that I work with on a daily basis, and only one of those guys stuck. We switched Ryan, who was playing bass, to guitar and we got a new bass player and drummer. It’s been cool, Ryan Frost has been a big part of the song writing process.
By the Barricade: I heard recently that you’re now calling Sacramento your hometown. Is there any truth to that?
James Hart; Ya, I fly up to see the four guys up there for rehearsals and shows. We’ve never had the opportunity or luxury of having a place to call home. Sacramento isn’t nearly as saturated as Southern California.
By the Barricade: What’s the writing process like for Burn Halo’s upcoming album Wolves of War compared to previous albums?
James Hart: Before I would make my notes and we really had to rely on sending tracks back and forth because of the distance between us. We weren’t sitting in a room together. Now I have been able to fly up to Sacramento, lay down some vocal demos and get a feeling for where the material was going. With Wolves of War we spent a long time in pre-production getting a concept of where the album was going to go as a whole.
By the Barricade: Do you have a concrete release date for Wolves of War?
James Hart: The record is due out in 2015 and hopefully that sticks, but you know how that goes in this industry. It is now being released through Epochal Artists. We wanted to find a label that collided with what we needed, and Epochal was on board almost immediately.
By the Barricade: Are you releasing any more singles before the album’s release?
James Hart: We are doing a reshoot and redesigning a storyline for a music video we shot. We also will be releasing our radio single “Fuck You.” The video will be released very shortly after as well.
By the Barricade: Are you planning on playing any new tracks at the upcoming Aftershock Festival?
James Hart: Right now we plan on playing a majority of new songs. I feel the songs off Wolves of War grab a new audience much better than our previous two records, and we have been really happy with the feedback we’ve been getting.
By the Barricade: What advice can you give to any up and coming artists that might be reading this article?
James Hart: Be ready before you go into the studio. Be prepared, and know what you want to accomplish. I still argue with some of my bandmates on that, but nobody wants to lay down a track 20 times and have it still not sound the way you wanted. It’s all about preparation and how ready you are to record. Also have someone else outside the band listen to your work. That outside ear is an integral part of our recording process because you could get so lost within what you are doing that you can’t imagine it any better than what you already have.
By the Barricade: Hairstyling and being a vocalist are two very different careers. How did you get started in your hairstyling and vocal careers?
James Hart: I was in high school when we started the band (Eighteen Visions). A few friends were putting something together and they asked if I would want to sing. It was never on my radar. Never a passion or a dream, but it definitely became one. As for hair, I was always very creative. I’m not the kind of guy who can work that typical nine to five. I need a creative outlet. I started that up back in 1999 so it’s always been an option for me. Music presented me with more unique opportunities at a young age so I went with that over hair.
By the Barricade: How do you blend the two now?
James Hart: The band is in that post production limbo state right now. Playing a few shows here and there, but there’s no release date, touring, etc, lined up yet. Once we get that all ironed out, I’m sure we will have to come to some sort of balance, but right now it’s easy for me to just be where I’m at; In the salon and play the occasional one-off show if it makes sense.
By the Barricade: in the old school days you used to cut and style hair backstage and in tour busses. How does that environment relate to Gods and Heros?
James Hart: Gods and Heros is very rock n’ roll. The entire vibe is very eclectic and creative. I feel a place like this has the same vibe as many of the smaller clubs across the states.
By the Barricade: You are a pretty busy guy but when you have down time what do you enjoy doing?
James Hart: I like the beach! If I’m not there I’m at the pool. That really sums up my summer. Come September I’m into football.
Keep it on Bythebarricade.com for more metal, rock and punk interviews, reviews, articles, and photos! Also, “Like” By the Barricade on Facebook to never miss a post. If you liked this article check out:
The Sex Tape Scandal Interview
Firing All Cylinders Interview
