Dark Hearts: Midnight Songs that Entrall

'Dark Hearts' play songs to pull you in at midnight and keep you there all night . They are formed of- Jacqueline (vocals), Robin (guitar), Sophie (bass/voc) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿. We invite you to learn more about them in the interview below and, most importantly, come listen them live on the 29th of July in Saughton Park Edinburgh

Photo by: https://www.instagram.com/Blankabandi.shots/

1. Tell us about you/your music

Jack: Dark Hearts - it’s authentic original music - songs to pull you in at midnight in a sleeping city! I am a little bit obsessed with night time - I’m a night time creature and it’s a feature of several songs. I write songs about revenge, redemption, dark emotions, and the creative power of the band lifts it up with the music. Or maybe I just drink too much coffee…

Sophie: from the bass perspective, the music we write for Jack’s lyrics is groovy and variable but almost always with a looming darkness to them. ‘’Queen of Night’’ is probably my most favourite song to play, as I get to use the low B string of my 5-string bass quite a lot, and it also incorporates three genres: blues, doom, and, can we call it goth-pop?

I love having the opportunity to play with the bass lines; most songs have at least one part where the bass melody is unexpected.

2. What do you like about Music in the Community?

It’s such a great opportunity to play in a lovely venue and great support for local musicians. We are really pleased to be part of it.

Sophie: music is a powerful tool. Bringing it to the community opens doors for people to connect, socialise, and create bonds, as well as it being a great medium for letting go and, if needed, heal. I personally strongly believe that, if there was more public (live) musical (and art) events, the feeling of being a part of something worthy would become stronger and communities would bond more naturally. Meeting strangers, we always look for things that connect us, don’t we?

3. Tell us about your music/albums/next events

We are out gigging in the summer and you can find links on our Facebook and Instagram. We plan to record an EP this year too.

Sophie: first and foremost, we will continue working on new material, suss out options for recording the first EP, and gig around the central belt. We have recently decided to try and find someone who can add keyboards, so we’re now looking forward to tryouts and hopefully becoming a five-piece soon!

4. What do you like/find channelling about the Edinburgh music industry?

Jack: I’m part of Girls' rock school in Edinburgh, and that has been a fantastic experience . GRS has created its own audience and gig circuit and has done a huge amount to encourage girls and women to become musicians . Something that is so badly needed . We also need more women songwriters. There are some good supportive networks in Edinburgh including a new musos network set up by Penny Black and that’s great for making connections and setting up gigs. Unfortunately the number of venues that support local original music is limited - so it’s important we hang on to the great ones we have like Sneaky Pete’s , Whistlebinkies and Leith Depot.

Sophie: not being from here and now living in Falkirk, and with most of the gigs I want to see being booked for Glasgow rather than Edinburgh, I cannot say much about this. But I’ve once been to a great folk jam in Edinburgh when I’d just moved to Falkirk.

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Jack: Dark Hearts having a solid following and playing summer festivals with a couple of albums released and radio play. (Supporting Garbage on a European tour would be nice …just saying …!) For me personally, also writing successful songs is an aim - becoming known as a songwriter would be pretty great.

Sophie: my life has always been super unpredictable, so I’m hesitant to make any assumptions… but if all goes well, we’ll play headline shows on bigger stages and possibly outside the U.K., too. I know we have the potential.

6. Can you recommend any organisations that help musicians/any that you receive help or advice from?

It’s worth joining networks that run events in Scotland providing advice - PRS is worth joining, and things like Wide Days. Also highly recommend the start up courses from the songwriting academy for aspiring songwriters . Also girls rock school of course!

Sophie: Rookie Rockstars in Falkirk are a charity that show children and teenagers a way into music. They’re great. Otherwise, again, not being from here, I can’t contribute much here.

7. Who inspires you?

Jack: I grew up with a dad who sang all day long - Frank Sinatra, Peggy lee, Nina Simone so my Dad is my first inspiration. For the band songs, I take inspiration from lots of places - from other musicians like PJ Harvey, nick cave , Florence , souxsie and great country songwriters like Gretchen Peters but also from myths, books, Victoriana and night time of course!

Sophie: Oh. That is a very difficult question. I’ll try to answer it only for bass, and I’ll list the band names, cause hardly anyone will know the bassist names haha. Anouk, Rush, Eric Burdon, Godeater, Aphotic, Vitalism, Opeth, Fit for an Autopsy, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Primus, Leprous, Earth, Wind & Fire, Cream, Tool, and so many more…

9. What advice would you give a musician at the start of the road?

Jack: network and link up with as many other musicians and songwriters as you can - find the people with the same vision as you and collaborate with them. Identify your skills and find the people who can do the bits you can’t whether that’s the music, the lyrics , the singing or the production. If you are a singer get a good professional vocal coach. Above all invest in your own music and aspirations , believe in yourself. Often being creative goes hand in hand with self doubt so - get out of your own way! It takes a huge amount of mental and emotional determination and focus to make it as a musician. Getting on a stage is only possible after hours and hours of work and rehearsals. So feel proud of what you are trying to achieve and don’t let anyone stop you.

Sophie: if you’re totally new to the idea of playing an instrument, go to a jam session or a music store and talk to people there. Try out instruments. You will feel what’s right for you.

If you were musically taught as a child and regret giving it up, just start again! It’s never too late!