Interview Bullet To The Heart

Bullet To The Heart, hailing from Chicago, IL, consists of Audrey Queen (vocalist), Draven DC (drummer), Brian Benischek (guitarist), and Six (bassist). Let's dive into their journey, influences, and their upcoming EP "TRAUMA".

1. Could you introduce each band member and tell us what role they play in Bullet To The Heart?
Audrey Queen- Vocalist
Draven DC- Drummer
Brian Benischek- Guitarist
Six- Bassist
2. How did Bullet To The Heart come together as a band in Chicago, IL? What's the story behind your formation?
Audrey and Draven were in a band previously playing in the local circuit when they met Brian who at the time was a solo musician. Brian and his friend then joined Bullet To The Heart. Bullet To The Heart then started touring for the next 5 years with these members. Recently due to a member change Six became the newest member of the band and has since enhanced our sound.
3. You've mentioned Spirit Box, Bad Omens, and In This Moment as main influences. How do these influences shape your sound and style?
Starting with In This Moment, Maria Brink has always led the thematic alternative metal scene that we enjoy. Newly popular Spiritbox influenced us to not only get better at our craft but to prove how heavy we can be. We have had the privilege of watching Bad Omens grow and they have also contributed to our sound to try to pick bits and pieces to give audiences a similar taste of what they already like.
4. Have you had the opportunity to play any notable gigs, festivals, or other events? Any memorable moments from those experiences?
We had the opportunity on our first tour in 2019 to play the Whiskey a go go in West Hollywood. Our band grew up on 80’s music and legends so it was an honor not only to see it in person but to play on that stage that so many have as well. We just recently played monster hall music fest and we always love playing Wisconsin because we have a large Bloodline following there and we loved camping and hanging out there. Last year we toured with Ynqwie Malmsteen and Glen Hughes at 2 packed House of Blues in Houston and New Orleans and had the opportunity to talk one on one with Glen Hughes. He expressed he loved our sound and who we were as musicians and was overall a very nice guy. We also headlined House of Blues Chicago in 2019 before our first tour, so that was an awe aspiring experience.

5. Your upcoming EP, "TRAUMA," explores different trauma responses. Can you elaborate on the concept behind the EP and what inspired its creation?
TRAUMA was inspired by our Queen’s own trauma that she has faced throughout her life. Each trauma response has a little bit of her trauma sprinkled into it. From a young age Audrey faced trials no child should go through. From her parents divorce, to her own near death experience, and the passing of her uncle due to overdose, culminated into her developing CPTSD as well as other underlying issues. This EP is here to show that no matter the trauma you go through, it does not define you and it will not hold you back from your true potential that you possess.
6. Where was "TRAUMA" recorded, and who was involved in its production? Any interesting stories from the recording sessions at Broken Barrel Studio?
TRAUMA was recorded at an Illinois based studio called The Broken Barrel recording Studio. At this studio the engineer has a haunted cabinet filled with various haunted objects. While recording one of the songs Fawn, one of the dolls cases opened on its own. Now this wouldn’t be surprising, but it only is because we were recording vocals, with the sound only in the ears, and the case to this doll slowly opened on its own. Anyone believe in ghosts?
7. Each song on "TRAUMA" addresses a different trauma response (fight, flight, freeze, fawn). Could you describe how these themes manifest in your music and lyrics?
We realized when we started writing these songs, each band member personally identified with a trauma response. We used the definitions of each trauma response to correlate with the lyrics but we also gave them an element and a color. That way fans could identify the trauma response not only by name but by the color, element, and certain key words or phrases to elude to the subject of that song to match the response.
8. Are there any particular tracks from "TRAUMA" that stand out to you as representative of the EP's overall message or sound?
The final track Remedy challenges all of the trauma responses directly and shows the listener that no matter how you deal with your own trauma, it does not define you and you can do whatever you set your heart and mind to.

9. How did the band's personal experiences with trauma influence the writing and recording process of "TRAUMA"?
During the process of writing TRAUMA we sat down as group and each person with their instrument wrote parts based on their own trauma. Once the tracks were finished instrumentally, Audrey took them and took those experiences with her own and wrote each song based on each response.
10. Are there any amusing or interesting anecdotes from the band's journey that you'd like to share, perhaps related to your experiences in the music industry or during the creation of "TRAUMA"?
Writing about past experiences in general is always very daunting and exhausting. But doing it with people you love and cherish gives this sense of healing. You are never alone with what you go through. Even though we all experience trauma differently at the end of the day a good set of friends or family or even talking it through with company, always helps you heal and move on from the hurt. Time heals all wounds, so does amazing band mates.
11. What do you hope listeners take away from your music, especially from the themes explored in "TRAUMA"?
I hope people realize that they are stronger than they think. No matter what you go through you are never powerless. Face your trauma and put it in its place when it needs to be done. You are not alone. Our trauma doesn’t define us. It’s time to move on.
12. Looking forward, what are the band's plans for the future? Any upcoming tours, new releases, or other projects on the horizon?
We plan to continue full steam ahead with new music and new themes. We have one more video releasing in the near future, TRAUMA is releasing on August 2nd, we have a headlining EP release show on August 17th at Rochaus in West Dundee Illinois and we have an upcoming tour we are solidifying right now for middle of October-early November. We hope to see our Bloodline at these dates! Follow us on Facebook to keep yourself updated!

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