INTERVIEW – Jared Mullins (Heavy Glow)
Published on October 19, 2010 by Christian Sellers · No Comments
Heavy Glow were formed in San Diego back in 2008 by singer/guitarist Jared Mullins and bassist Joe Brooks. Their first break came when they recorded their self-titled EP with producer Stevie Salas (read our interview here) and gained instant acclaim from critics.
The band’s second EP, The Filth & the Fury, was recorded live in the studio in just six hours and was released earlier this year. This saw them developing their sound, drawing influence from blues and classic rock. Heavy Glow are currently working on their first full-length album.
Jared Mullins talks about his influences and experiences with Heavy Glow.
How do you feel the fans and press differ from country to country and where do you feel you are best received?
“Well I definitely feel we best connect with the European audience. Not sure what it is really. Maybe it makes us exotic. Maybe it’s because Americans are just entertained to death.”
Do you prefer to be in the studio creating new music or out on the road touring?
“Studio by far. You get to hear what’s been in your head for so long. Plus I love singing harmonies. The road is great for letting go.”
When performing at venues with poor sound, do you find it a challenge to remain passionate about the show when you know that, despite trying your best, the audience may not be enjoying themselves as much as usual?
“I think when the sound is poor we actually tend to perform better because we know that we have to overcome the lack thereof. It gives us something extra to fight for. My goal for every show is to get the audience to move; whether it’s dancing, head-bopping, or foot-stomping. Whatever I can get.”
Being the singer, how do you overcome issues such as sore throats and colds and what kind of daily routines do you have to try to keep your voice strong and healthy?
“Whiskey. Lots and lots of whiskey. I wish I was joking but that’s pretty much it. I try to keep the easier songs to sing at the beginning of the set so that my voice is warm for the grittier ones.”
Would you say that you have a diverse taste in music and how do all the different styles that you listen to affect the songs that you write?
“I’m a music prick. Definitely not as diverse as the other bandmates. It pretty much just follows my personality: I know what I like and what I like is what I’m passionate about so why go to anything else? Raw and simple music such as the blues has a way of getting to me that I can’t really explain. Very guttural. Very real.”
What is the biggest gig that you have done so far and how do you usually feel before walking on stage?
“We’ve opened for some pretty big bands or at least bands that garnered some great attention. I’d rather not mention them at the moment because our styles are so different. I know it sounds like copping out, but yeah…Before going out to play our best shows I’ve always felt like I’m out for blood. I have something to prove and take and we will take it…and normally we do.”
Is there much conflict between the members of the band and how do you resolve your differences?
“It’s always up-and-down. There really isn’t a ton of conflict-mostly differences of opinion but I think we take them and make a point to come to a resolution that every one can be happy with. This normally gives the song or whatever it is greater depth than what I had imagined it would have in the beginning.”
Are all your songs drawn from personal experiences or do you write whatever lyrics come to mind?
“A lot of the material from Filth & The Fury was drawn from personal experiences I had gone through. Love Ghost, I Almost Prayed, Bourgeois Baby. Love Ghost especially, as it was written on Valentine’s Day when I had just discovered a long-lasting romance had ended with a gal cheating on me. Not so cool but whatever. Good song. My thinking is that if a song moves me it will probably move someone else so go for it.”
What advice would you offer other up-and-coming groups regarding surviving on the road and dealing with the pressures of the music industry?
“Keep going. Don’t give up. If you’re a real musician then you do it for the love of the music and the music alone. Everything else is icing on the cake.”
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