Interviewed by Denys (Site Founder/Senior Staff Writer) Myglobalmind Webzine
Myglobalmind: Thank you friends of Heaven Below for taking the time to give the fans of of HB a taste of your new EP!
Patrick: Anytime. We love to turn it up.
Myglobalmind: The band released their EP in August, how has the feedback been so far?
Patrick: Beyond our expectations. When Daylight Dies has already been recieving spins on national radio and the fact that new music from upcoming bands is still in demand blows us away.
Myglobalmind: The band is fronted by Patrick Kennison formerly of the Union Underground, how did the union of Heaven Below come about?
Patrick: I moved out here in 2003 with our bassplayer John after I ended Union Underground. I’d met our drummer at a local rehearsal complex where I hit it off with him. So many friends & fans had been encouraging me to be the front man of my next project after hearing my demos & seeing me sing a few songs with bands I’d jam with. I’d written so many songs I figured it was time to form a band to match the material.
Myglobalmind: For fans not familiar with the sound, what is the best way to describe HB’s sound?
Patrick: Our fans say we fill the gap between Nickelback & Avenged Sevenfold. While this is very flattering, I consider us to play loud passionate straight forward rock. We embrace things my last band did not. Harmonies, guitar solos, double bass ect.
Myglobalmind: There has been a uprising in the metal and hard rock scene of late due to the change in the industry and a wave of new bands hitting the spotlight. What can Heaven Below bring to the table in terms of originality?
Patrick: We feel we can bring some of the arena bombast that music has been missing for awhile. Even though there are great bands already doing that, we feel our cinematic take on a live show and emphasis on lyrics & production keep it from being cheesy or “bad 80’s-like”.
Myglobalmind: Where does the band draw it’s inspiration in writing and making music from?
Patrick: Latelty I’ve been enjoying bands I overlooked or thought we’re my older brothers bands like UFO, Thin Lizzy, & Rush. These bands are classic for great reason. I still love NIN, Alice in Chains, Crue, Metallica. But I’ve been checking out some unlikely artists as well like Refused or even Bryan Adams.
Myglobalmind: I know you guys brought Ben Moody on board to produce the track “When Daylight Dies.”, how as it like working with him, how did it come about?
Patrick: Ben was introduced to me by Marty O’Brien (killer bassplayer). Turns out Ben loved Union Underground as I loved Evanescence. He heard my demo for When Daylight Dies and insisted he produce it. I though he was joking until he came to me with production ideas and a 32 piece orchestra. Working with him is like having a mad scientist in the studio. He is truly an artist. Well beyond your average musician.
Myglobalmind: Care to comment on the music industry and the state of the scene? It seems like a lot more artists are moving to self produce more then ever in the past?
Patrick: I think that the playing field is leveling everyday. The fact that we’re spun on radio stations without a major label is proof. Music is so much more disposable than ever. But it helps keep us new bands on our toes and gives us clever new ways to get music out to new fans. It pleases me that a guy in a suit with a quota no longer decides who will be the next star. It’s finally in the artist and the fans hands.
Myglobalmind: Any advice for a young band breaking into the scene?
Patrick: Stay strong and perservere. It takes time for others to recognize anything new or refreshing. Make music for yourself first. As soon as you start to have fun others will follow and pick up on your energy.
Myglobalmind: The band just completed the “Horns and Halos” tour hitting a few dates around the country, how did that go?
Patrick: Excellent, we love the challenge of living up to our album live. We did meet & greets every night and had Jager shots with every fan over 21. We played live on air on several stations the day of each show. Its amazing the power that live music still has. It will never be replaced by a download or a video stream.
Myglobalmind: What we’re the highlights of the tour so far?
Patrick: Just being able to connect with fans we’ve made on the net and then see them in person. The fact that radio play still helps new artists is very inspiring. We feel very fortunate to be able to make music in these troubling times. Oh yeah, our offstage hijinks were really fun. Tour video coming soon. We give Jackass a run for it’s money!!!
Myglobalmind: Are any more possible dates on the table for the band in the future? What’s next for the band?
Patrick: We absolutely will have more dates at the beginning of next year. Meanwhile we’ll be playing southern California & continue to push our music at radio and several other outlets. We’re trying to find time to complete many of the songs we started before the tour. We think the days of one album every year or two is gone. We want to keep our activity all the way up and stay fresh on peoples minds.
Myglobalmind: Give the fans some good reasons whey they should go pick up the record and where can they get it from?
Patrick: The best reason is that we have a blast making the music you hear so it translates well to the listener. It comes from the heart and aims for your gut. It’s on Itunes for only $3.99 and comes with a killer digital booklet. The CD has 4 bonus tracks & 5 video clips. You can’t lose on this one.
Myglobalmind: Final words for readers and fans of the band?
Patrick: Stay close & tuned. We intend on making you part of the congregation…forever!!!
Please visit: http://heavenbelow.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/heavenbelowmusic
You can purchase Heaven Below’s new cd from the band’s Store and Itunes at the link below:
http://www.heavenbelow.com/store/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/heaven-below/id305518257?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
All images courtesy of Heavenbelow.com
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