Sean Nolan and the Heartmakers - Interview - PETE'S ROCK NEWS AND VIEWS.COM

Sean Nolan and the Heartmakers – Interview

Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (https://petesrocknewsandviews.com)

PD: What type of artist are you?

SN: Really, we’re an alternative rock band with a lot of punk rock influence. I feel like the alternative label fits us a bit better than any other simply because we’re always listening to new bands and different genres. Collectively we’re inspired by a lot. The last thing I want to do is back us into a corner where we’re forced to meet the expectations of a specific genre. Personally, I’m always challenged and inspired by so many things. Every time I find something new, I can’t help but want to try it myself.

PD: Tell us the brief history of yourself.

SN: ’ve been playing the guitar since I was twelve years old. Since then I’ve formed a bunch of bands, always singing and playing the guitar. It hasn’t been an easy road. But nothing beats the feeling of making a record with my friends so I’m still here.

PD: Who are your musical and non-musical influences?

SN: I’m a big fan of fiction and storytelling. Ray Bradbury and Stephen King are huge influences. Musically Tom Petty is my number one. But I’m influenced by a lot. Neil Young, New Order, Green Day, Bob Dylan, Rancid, The Cure…

PD: What are your dreams and goals?

SN:My goal right now is to make a record I absolutely love. My dream is to stand in front of a packed house, backed by my best friends, the whole room singing every word.

PD: Who writes your songs, what are they about?

SN: My friend Chris and I write the songs on the records. Each one tells a story. The goal is always to tell some sort of story with hope that people can relate.

PD: How do you promote your band and shows?

SN: We do our best with social media, word of mouth, publicity. Val from WHTYB has been really great. I like to design postcards and hand them out. It’s not easy but it can be a good time.

PD: What do you think about downloading music online?

SN: I collect vinyl. That’s my preferred way of listening to music. That being said, downloading is great, streaming is great, as long as people are listening and enjoying it. That’s all that really matters.

PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?

SN: Honestly, I’ve never really thought about that… Lol maybe “sharp dressed man” by ZZ Top.

PD: What are some of your pet peeves?

SN: People talking during a movie in a theatre, bad tippers in restaurants, actors (lol), people who destroy public restrooms.

PD: What is your proudest moment in music?

SN: When my brother Kyle (synth) joined the band.

PD: So what are you working on at the moment?

SN: Right now, we’re working on a new LP tentatively titled, Dandelion Wine. I’ve been listening to a lot of The Smiths lately. I’m hoping some of that jangly sound comes out this time around. It’s going to be a brighter sounding record contrasted by darker lyrics. I went through a lot over the course of the past couple years. A lot of that ended up in these songs.

PD: Tell us about your next shows and why we should be there.

Due to all the madness with the Pandemic right now our record release party for The Machineries of Joy has been rescheduled for early July at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, NY. It may be a full band show and it may be an acoustic thing. Just gotta wait and see. Regardless, it should be a good time. Vinyl will be out before then. Definitely looking forward to that.