Artist Interview: The Razorhearts
The Razorhearts blends raw emotion with gritty riffs, delivering songs that hit hard and stay honest. In this interview, the project’s creator opens up about finding inspiration through fatherhood, balancing melody with rebellion, and building a world where vulnerability meets strength.
Q. The Razorhearts is described as "vulnerability with danger. Can you unpack what that phrase means to you personally and musically?
A. Totally. I think to me it's about opening yourself up to a world that is going to bite at you, but you are going to bite back even harder. It's kind of like wearing your heart on one sleeve, but having a grenade on the other.
Q. What was the turning point that made you pick up the guitar again after stepping back to focus on family and life?
A. Honestly, I would say it was two things. One my daughter, who is now a year-and-a-half, has shown an interest in music, which is obviously very cool to me. Two my wife encouraged me to keep going. I'm really my own worst critic and I have been for the 30+ years I've been playing music. I'm 38 now and I first picked up then guitar when I was 7. I've had years in different bands, releasing music, shows the whole ritual. I got to a point where I just needed to stop the train. I got married but I never really stopped playing. I just focused on the fun part of playing instead of the rest of the nonsense. Then we had our daughter a few years after getting married and I sing and play for her. Just goofy songs and what not. I started writing actual songs. again and my wife basically said "it's time." I guess she liked them!
Q. Your debut single "These Modern Times" feels deceptively upbeat-what's the story behind Its creation?.
A. That song was originally written in 2016 as the election was going on and Trump was gaining traction. And we all know now that went. There was also the Flint, Michigan water crisis happening. I lived an hour or so away from Flint. There were mass shootings. Basically just absolute fucking insanity everywhere you'd look. These Modern Times came about because I literally felt like the times we live in now were wearing me down. With that said, I come from the school of Green Day and The Ramones, so you kind of learn to smile through the pain.
Q. How has becoming a husband and father influenced your songwriting themes and emotional depth?
A. That's an excellent question. It's really made me think about how the world is a huge place, and we are all so small - but play a huge part in its survival. You can be down in the dumps about whatever is going on in your life or world or whatever, but then you see your kid running by laughing and playing with something that's not even a toy. She has no idea about the bullshit in the world. She just wants to play with this box or whatever and laugh. We should all be more like that.
Q. There's a strong thread of anxiety and existential reflection in your music. Do you view songwriting as therapy or rebellion or maybe both?
A. I would say both for sure. I'm the kind of person that will think things through before I run my mouth off. A lot of the time that comes out in the form of lyrics. It really all comes down to expression. I may be a grown man with a family, but I still have a lot to say. I think growing up doesn't mean giving up. I will never not question things, including myself. All of that comes out in the music.
Q. Your influences range from The Beatles to Metallica how do you balance melody and aggression in your sound?
A. The first songs I learned when I started playing were Beatles songs. But this was the early 90's so I was also surrounded by Green Day, Nirvana, and Metallica. I absolutely love rhythm guitarists, and each of those bands have amazing rhythm guitars. I think at different times in my life I tried to tame certain sides. Do I want to be more power pop? Do I want to be heavier? Now with Razorhearts, I just let it all come out. I'm not holding back on anything anymore. Also, I love the idea of having a heavy riff in a song with nice harmonies and melody. I think that sums everything up where I'm at in my head now in life!
Q. Why the name "The Razorhearts"? What does it represent in terms of your vision and lyrical style?
A. Honestly, I think it just looks cool! With what I mentioned earlier about the meaning of the name, it feels like it really represents where I'm at in life. You have to fight hard nowadays to maintain your sanity. Razorhearts is about being strong and tough in the face of anything trying to bring you down. Whether that's the government, the universe, or not being able to sleep.
Q. Your songs feel confessional and raw. Are there any lines you've written that felt especially hard- or liberating - to share?
A. There's a song that I hope to have out sooner than later that says "I'll have to choose / is it a rope or a noose / that we have to share." I think that line sums up a lot. You're either going to live tied together, or you're going to die together in the madness. We all make the choice and I choose to live.
Q. What role does humor, particularly dark humor, play in how you approach your lyrics and performances?
A. I have always been a goofy guy. It probably comes from being the youngest of four and having only sisters. I had to find humor in everything. Now I have a wife and a daughter. Still surrounded by females! You have to learn to laugh at yourself and at life. Of course there's a time and place for everything... but if everything is super serious all of the time you're just going to go crazy. I try to not ever take myself too seriously.
Q. What does your creative process look like? Do songs come to you fully formed, or do you chip away at ideas over time?
A. Music ideas will come when I'm just messing around on the guitar. A lot of the time it's a small part that turns into something bigger. That's life, right?! Lyrics I actually don't really work on over time. My process has always been to just try to finish whatever comes when it comes. I figure if I don't finish it off in one go I probably wasn't very inspired so I just drop it. A lot of the time I do my writing in the morning. It'll start with one line and usually I'm not sure what it's about until after I finish it off.
Q. DIY ethics seem central to your project. What's been the most rewarding - and the most difficult part of doing it all independently?
A. The most rewarding thing is when someone hears something I created alone in a completely different part of the world than where I'm at. Even more rewarding when they actually like it! It's honestly amazing to think that something I made can be listened to or seen by literally anyone. anywhere. I come from a time when you had to record to tape, give the tape to your friends, and hope they didn't make fun of you too bad behind your back... or to your face. You had to get out there and put up fliers, hope people come to your show, and hope they liked it. Now everything is instant and it's a blessing and a curse. I'd say the most difficult thing is coming up with new ideas to get my music out there. You have a million things coming at you from all directions now. How can I make The Razorhearts stick out in a world where you have basically 2 seconds to catch someone's attention before they swipe away?
Q. You mentioned creating a 'world' with The Razorhearts. What kind of world are you inviting listeners into?
A. This is an interesting one. I think over the last few months I've been slowly curating this idea/world in my head. I have these "funeral love songs" as I've called them. But I also really like taking pictures and spending time in my garden, which is overgrown and wild but I love it. I have an instagram for that too actually . My idea is that this can all coexist. I love the dark imagery in the newer songs I have written and I love the dark garden stuff in The Riggar Hollow. I'd love for it all to be more than just songs, but a vibe and a brand. If that makes sense. I've done the whole normal music thing. I'd like it all to be a world of having bonfires in a graveyard.
Q. How do you hope listeners feel after hearing your music for the first time?
A. I've never really wanted to impose anything on anyone when listening to my music. If you want to feel happy, feel happy. If you want to be angry, be angry. Anything is allowed with The Razorhearts!
Q. Are there any upcoming releases or shows fans should be looking forward to in 2025?
A. I hope to have new music out very soon. There' 5-6 songs waiting in the wings to be recorded. I am even going to resurrect/reclaim a song or two from my past. I'm talking like... 20-ish year old songs. I'm finally in a good place where I can acknowledge some of that stuff.
I'm posting a few performances from my studio space on the Razorhearts instagram a few times a week. So definitely follow if you're into that kind of thing! Some covers will be coming shortly too. That's something my wife talked me into doing!
Q. What advice would you give to someone feeling lost in "these modern times"?
A. There's light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to actually look for it and want it.
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