2016 has been a massive year for Heavy English. On top of the release of their debut album, Pop Wasteland (which was a journey in itself) the band’s Sal Bossio, Dan Gluszak and Ari Sadowitz each grew, learned more about themselves and had the chance to create some of their most meaningful and well-written music to date. Having been involved in the music industry for quite some time (and in Sal and Dan’s case, having played together prior to Heavy English) Pop Wasteland is a cumulation of each members’ past experiences and lessons they’ve learned along the way. With such a strong year behind them, 2017 only promises to get better, and we can’t wait to see what Heavy English does next!
Interview by Dom Vigil
Can you tell us a little bit about Heavy English for any readers who may not be familiar?
The band is Sal Bossio, Dan Gluszak and Ari Sadowitz. We’re a three-piece rock band sitting somewhere between the wilds of the desert and New York City.
All three of you have been involved in other projects before the formation of Heavy English, so what would you say has been one of the most important lessons or pieces of knowledge that you’ve brought into this endeavor?
The ever-evolving ability to work well with others, compromise, and find solutions. The music is the easy/fun part. There’s also a ton of stuff on the backend, from booking and management to merch, marketing, graphic design and social media. Ultimately, we’re both creative and business partners.
Sal and Dan have even more of a background together because of their involvement with Envy On The Coast. How do you feel that your work together in the past has helped you to create the best music possible this time around?
There was a musical chemistry there that translated to the first batch of Heavy English songs, and we were able to express some things in the new band that weren’t possible in Envy. The best music we can create is what moves and excites us first, and having a new outlet was the beginning of that.
You just released your debut album, Pop Wasteland in November. What goals did you have in mind for the album?
That no physical copies will ever be used as drink coasters. That Martians will hear “Feel Like Love.” That human beings will commune with it, spending the duration of the record listening to it and feeling something. Vinyl.
What is the most nerve wracking or difficult part about creating your first album together as a band?
Making sure Dan has enough Sriracha and Sal doesn’t go near peanuts, as he will die. Nerves didn’t come into play, as far as I know – the difficulties were in the compromises and decision-making. We tracked the entire record live, so the goal was to finish the take and look around the room for that nod or smile or stank face that meant we nailed it.
What was the most rewarding part of the writing and recording process?
The road to releasing Pop Wasteland turned out to be longer and more difficult than we anticipated, so the biggest reward has to be having it out in the world. A full-length album was always the goal from day one.
Is there anything that you’d like listeners to be able to take away from Pop Wasteland?
We’d like people to find their own meanings in the music and have the patience for 10 songs. This has been an outstanding year for music, and we hope we contributed.
With 2016 coming to a close, do you have any big plans or goals for the new year?
Besides gallons of champagne and mountains of caviar? We’re looking ahead to 2017 as a chance to get on the road and promote the record, shoot some video, release the album physically and put out some b-sides from the sessions.
What has been the highlight of your year so far?
2016 was an emotionally stacked year. We got the record out, Sal had a son, Dan relocated to Los Angeles, Ari put out his own EP and did some touring. The highlight has been trying, together, to make sense of a world that often feels colder and more disconnected, and hoping that Heavy English can give people something positive.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for having us, and thank you to everyone who has been patient with us.
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