Interview: Haunting Heather

Born in 2007, “One” album came out in 2010. And Jim Rippee (vocals), Shaun Brening (guitars), Brad Moon (bass), and Michael Keller’s (drums/keys) Haunting(ly) Heather is on.

They’re a band that sounds a bit of everything; they’ve got the riffs, the acoustic vibes, good rock (love the riffs in ‘Fall’), some pop and the great lyrics.

Read their story!

What’s the story of Haunting Heather?

Well, we all met at the methodone clinic…  (none of us have actually used heroin, we just like pale skinny chicks…)  and we got into a heated argument over who was the better Darren on “Bewitched.”  By the time the smoke had cleared, two years had passed and we had somehow written and recorded an entire album.  I know it sounds crazy, but it happened almost but not quite exactly like that.  (Oh, and York kicked Sargent’s ass…)

What’s your musical background?

We’ve all studied extensively… not music, mind you, but most of us have degrees in something or other.  Otherwise we’re pretty much self taught, except for that guy that showed up at my house with a guitar once a week for a few years, but I think he might have been my Dad… or an Uncle or something.  (You know, looking back, I understand the guitar, but the leather clown suit was a little confusing.)  But I digress…  We’ve all been in other bands and played for years, but of all the projects we’ve played in, Haunting Heather is certainly one of them.

Who write your songs?

Someone may bring in an initial “idea”, often Shaun will have a cool riff or something, but it is eventually broken down and reorganized with each member writing their part of the song.  Once it is fully arranged, Jim goes home, bangs his head against the wall repeatedly until he can’t feel the left side of his spleen, and writes the lyrics.  Then it goes to the studio where Shaun yells at everyone and, in between guitar takes, demands a brandy snifter full of yellow M and M’s.  Jim uses thirty tracks to sing harmonies that no one hears in the mix. And finally Mike (drums) and Brad (bass) work for hours and hours on end with keyboards and software to make it actually sound like… music.

What makes your music special?

Hey, I think the term is “challenged” these days…  Sure, some of us rode on the short bus and may still wear a helmet indoors, but at least we’re friendly and not above giving complete strangers great big hugs.  That and we eat a lot of lead paint during rehearsals.

You recently released an album “One”, what can you tell us about it?

It’s a compilation of songs that will change the very basic essence of time, space, and dimension.  It has healed lepers in the Congo, regrown massive patches of the rain forest in Brazil, inspired dolphins to begin speaking in human tongue off the coast of Maine, and once raised a small puppy from the dead in Swindon, England.  It is the quintessential beacon of excellence for any musical project, past or present, in this and all worlds in the known universe.  It… wait, am I overselling this?  Sorry….  It’s… fun to listen to in the car…

What is your biggest musical guilty pleasure(s)?

Hmm…  That’s a difficult question because the majority of them are about the same size….  The BIGGEST one, huh?  I’d say it would have to be the tuba.  This one time, at band camp… nevermind.

How do you promote your music?

They generally get promoted due to meritorious service or singular acts of valor.  Unless their Dad knows somebody.  (And on spectacularly entertaining shows like Nervecast from Reputation Label….  **smooch**)

What are your plans now?

Well, we want to be down to earth with our expectations, so… world domination, billions of fans, and maybe buy a llama farm.

Follow them on MySpace, Reverbnation and twitter.