The end of this week is a big one for Half Hearted. Their self-titled debut LP will be out for the world to hear and while they had to reschedule the release show due to the current safety precautions everyone is putting into place, we’re still stoked to hear some new music while chilling at home. Given things are back to normal sooner than later, the band is looking forward to getting out there and touring with the new record soon, “All we can say is that if you like the songs, stream them a bunch, because it helps us see what parts of the country we need to get back to ASAP!”

With that, check out what they had to say about taking part in the final Warped Tour, heartbreaks on various fronts, and more!

Kendra: Whenever we move onto the next chapter of our lives be it a job or in your case an album, we tend to add and subtract elements of the previous to make the present work better for us. In regards to your 2018 EP ‘How to Be Alone,’ what did you add and what did you sort of take away to allow better versions of yourselves on your debut LP?

Half Hearted: That EP was such a process to record. It took way too long, the mix changed 100 times, and we had some lineup changes during that time. We were also going on our first full US tour, and we had to rush the release to get it out on time. We love some of the songs on that EP for sure, but we definitely wanted the album to be more organized, have better production, and we just wanted to be able to establish what kind of band we are going forward. And I think we did that! We just took our time and made sure that we were really happy with every song.

Kendra: Producing an album on your own is no easy feat. What is the best advice you can give to a band thinking about taking on that for themselves?

Half Hearted: Don’t cut any corners, and work on it every single day until you KNOW it’s up to par. We were originally just going to engineer it ourselves, and then send it out for mixing/mastering, but by the time we were almost done with it, we were thinking, “Damn… This sounds better than some of the albums that we know and love.” We also wouldn’t have been able to do it if we didn’t put years and years of work in learning how to write songs, and producing for other artists. It’s a ton of work, but it’s worth it in the end.

Kendra: Locale is very telling when it comes to music. East, West, Midwest, Southern – every genre and every scene varies so much. Listening back to your debut, do you feel people would be able to peg it as a good representation of east coast rock?

Half Hearted: Possibly! I think people will at least be able to tell that we aren’t from the South/Midwest haha. In our area, there are so many different kinds of bands and it’s just insanely diverse, so we’re just trying to stand out if anything. But it is definitely a rock album overall! It’s got some pop-influence for sure, but we try to keep things interesting instrumentally, and we always make sure we throw in some cool riffs in every song!

Kendra: Toxic relationships have been influencing songwriters’ pens for ages now and for you guys, those messy situations between partners inspired your lead single, “Vicious Cycle.” For you though, which would you say is more hazardous to your mental health – a romantic relationship gone wrong or a professional relationship turned sour?

Half Hearted: Both are honestly just awful. On the band/business side, we’ve had a few professional relationships end horribly, which is not fun at all. But personal/romantic relationships are probably a little worse only because you invest so much time into ONE person. So when that comes to an end, it can be really hard to adjust back into your own life.

Kendra: A couple of years ago you got to partake in the very last cross country Warped Tour. In many ways, it felt like that was closing a chapter on that particular scene. Like we weren’t necessarily saying goodbye to bands like The Used and Taking Back Sunday because they’re still going strong, but rather we were opening the door for a new wave of talent to sort of build their way up in new ways. How do you feel bands like yourself are taking the torch from the bands that came before you who had MySpace and even their annual run on Warped to rely on and moving things forward?

Half Hearted: Being on that tour, even if it was only for a week, was seriously such a crazy experience. It does feel like a chapter has come to an end, but it does open up opportunities for more bands, especially small bands like us, to tour in the summer! I feel like other festivals are going to keep popping up more and more too, and it will keep the spirit of Warped Tour alive!

To get your hands on Half Hearted’s new record, head here.

The post Half Hearted: Warped Cycles & East Coast Vibes appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: When you got that initial camera for Christmas, was it something you’d been hinting about or was it a surprise that wound up sparking an interest in something new?

Morgan Rose: It was a surprise. I’d been taking pictures on my digital camera, and photography was beginning to become an interest of mine. But when I got my Canon DSLR, I started to venture out more and get more creative with my photography. I started exploring Connecticut and the long exposure shots of waterfalls. My camera is my baby now!

Kendra: Your photography deals a lot with nature whether it’s natural elements or animals. Have you always been someone who appreciates the world around them?

Morgan Rose: I’ve always appreciated nature. I love being outdoors, animals, exploring, finding new places, and seeing the beauty. Nature is a kind of therapy for me. Even when I see a little bird outside my window, I’ll run to grab my camera and sit there and take tons of photos. I get so excited to take photos and show others.

Kendra: Where you would say is Connecticut’s hidden gem when it comes to nature photography?

Morgan Rose: Some of Connecticut’s hidden gems would be little towns where you wouldn’t think of. Little picturesque places off the street like in Litchfield County and upstate Connecticut.

Kendra: With all the wondrous places in the world to shoot, what area of the world would you hop on a plane to right now to snap some photos?

Morgan Rose: If I were to hop on a plane right now to snap some pictures, I would have to pick going out to the western part of the U.S. I would love to see places like Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Redwoods, and the Arches. I’ve always wanted to see those national parks and the natural beauty.

Kendra: You’ve mentioned that photography is not something you get to do full time. What fills your days when you’re not snapping pics?

Morgan Rose: Currently I take pictures in my free time. I’m graduating in May to get my B.S in Accounting and work part-time. On my days off or before work or class, I go adventure. I love when I have a free day and it’s nice out, I get excited to get outdoors.

Kendra: Are there any plans in the near or distant future to take on photography as a full-time career?

Morgan Rose: Currently, photography is just a hobby, but you never know what the future holds. I would love to be a full-time photographer. My dream would be to travel when I’m older and take photos. For now, I spend all my time off outside looking for new photography spots.

The post Morgan Rose: Therapeutic Shots of Nature appeared first on ZO Magazine.

“I started crafting jewelry…simple earrings, bracelets, necklaces etc. Self-taught, I was bending and breaking all the rules of the jewelry craft. 2008, I launched a website and my online Etsy shop. 2010, I was involved in a serious multi-car crash. At the time of the crash, I experienced a near death event which catapulted me into a phenomenon known as a ‘kundalini awakening.’ This awakening was the catalyst for art I create now! I am now a Raw Jewelry Artist.”

And create she does. Whether it’s with others or on her own, Tonia is constantly making moves and getting out there. We talked about everything from heirlooms to what Netflix series you can see her pieces on, so make sure to take in everything this creative soul had to share.

Kendra: Do you balance your time between Rework and other ventures?

Tonia: Balance? Yes, I’m involved in a wonderful collaboration with my twin flame/partner Azua Echevarria (of Age Into Beauty) called Wild Woman TwinFlame. Our Wild Woman collaboration showcases divine gifts as healing artists. We are all about wellness and most definitely balance. Also, I’m currently in the early stages of creating new music with some amazingly gifted musicians as well. And I am always crafting jewelry. The best is yet to come.

Kendra: How would you compare the first piece you ever made to the latest piece you worked on in terms of style, direction, and overall aesthetic?

Tonia: My first pieces of Rework were eclectic, playful and artistic. Now, Rework is Love Infused Divinely Energetic Wearable Art! Aesthetically, I create from purely intuitive raw inspiration not really about what’s trending. I create what feels good to me.

Kendra: Often TV and movies deal with jewelry as an heirloom of sorts. Is there any piece like that in your own family that you either covet or perhaps inspired you to create your own pieces?

Tonia: Honestly, not really. The women in my family were amazing makers but not really into jewelry. They didn’t really even wear jewelry. Wow…What a realization! But now that you mention it the most valuable possessions that my maternal grandma Stella instilled in me were to use my common sense, the art of discernment, how to create something out of nothing and my natural ability to overcome adversity. Honestly, she’s my heroine!

Kendra: You work with a lot of awesome materials; leather, brass, minerals. What one do you feel best represents what Rework Creative is all about?

Tonia: Crystals!!! Crystals for sure! Tangible Earthly Wonders! They are beautifully organic wise teachers. Energy medicine. After the car crash, I had terrible anxiety but I didn’t want to take medicine to calm my nerves. My preferred anxiety remedy was crystals. Crystals have amazing healing properties and speaking from my own experience and openness the crystals assisted me in overcoming my anxiety. I have decided to utilize crystals in my art to help others the way that crystals have helped me.

Kendra: These pieces are handcrafted and you’ve noted one of a kind. I feel there’s a beauty in that. That makes them more like fingerprints we can accessorize with. Why was it important to you that each piece be unique though?

Tonia: I use my hands and mainly a hammer, pliers, and cutter. It’s a raw process and it’s personal…It is my desire to create these raw pieces as spirit armor. The metals I choose, mostly copper and brass act as a conduit for the properties of the crystals. I use my energy and physical strength to create these wearable pieces. Because they are one of a kind, they are 100% handcrafted.

Kendra: We’re just getting started in 2018, but do you have anything planned for Rework Creative this year?

Tonia: Rework Creative Jewelry started 2018 with a cameo appearance on the Netflix show Grace and Frankie! Lily Tomlin’s character has been adorned with my jewelry for the past three seasons! I’m also planning a few artfully curated pop up events and shows. As well as creating exclusive collections for a few niche stores around the country.

Kendra: Now if you had to make a playlist that features the songs that inspire you when you’re working, what five tracks would be on it?

Tonia: Hmm, my first love is music! So, my current playlist would sorta look like this:

“Wading” by Jhene Aiko
“Plastic” by Moses Sumney
“Sing to the Moon” by Snarky Puppy feat. Laura Mvula & Michelle Willis
“No One” by Mothica (Kayge Calypso & Dunn Remix)
“Can I” by Alina Baraz & Galimatias

The post Rework Creative’s Raw, Real & Refreshing appeared first on ZO Magazine.