The Hart Turn Up the Volume With New Single and First Live Performance
Article and Photo by Tallulah Totten
The Hart pictured at Orange County Backyard Slam 1/27/23
San Diego-born, (now) Orange County-based band The Hart have been making quite a fuss since starting the process of making their debut EP in September of 2022. With a six-song self-titled EP and their first live performance in the books, the duo (consisting of Evan Estes and Alex Abutin) have come a long way in only four months. Both Estes and Abutin appear as vocalists and producers on the project. Between ominous, evil baselines played by Estes and dark, aggressive vocals sung by both of them, they have established a sound that is truly their own. As the two continue to break through the punk scene, you can expect even more from them in the coming weeks. With more merch and a new single on the way, the duo is on the track to establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with. 1127 was able to catch up with them the day following their very first live performance and ask them a few questions.
1127 : You guys just played your first gig! What was it like doing it all for the first time?
Evan : It was pretty sick. We actually set up the whole gig ourselves (with the help of Mitch from Third Sex.) I was pretty nervous because the other bands playing were hardcore with a full band and everything. So I was kind of iffy on how people would react to our set (especially because we went last). But on stage it was amazing, can’t really say more. Except for the cops showing up halfway through the night.
Alex : Yeah it was a very successful night in my opinion! It seemed like everyone had a good time except for maybe the neighbors haha! But thankfully, we were able to continue after the cops showed up.
1127 : There’s a big D.I.Y. aspect to The Hart that shines through in your guys’ production and live performance(s) that’s very respectable. What was the journey of building The Hart up to what it is now like?
Evan : Thank you! We honestly kind of wing it when it comes to building whatever we have. What helped us a lot, in my opinion, was when I went to Nothing Fest in Orange County. I met a bunch of cool people there and made connections with them. So, I guess honestly we just really wanna put ourselves out there in the community like we have before.
Alex : Yeah, honestly if it wasn’t for Evan making those connections, we wouldn’t be where we are right now.
1127 : What are your goals for The Hart?
Evan : Personally, right now, it definitely is just all about playing more shows and growing our base so we can continue to keep playing. And of course working on something that I can’t quite say yet.
Alex : Yeah I agree. I think we definitely want to play more shows and evolve our sound over time as well.
1127 : What would be your dream venue for The Hart to perform at?
Evan : I would love to play the Observatory in Santa Ana or Nothing Fest in OC. I’ve known about the Observatory FOREVER and it’s just kinda been a cool thought. Nothing Fest is new to me but everyone there just seems so accepting and cool. Also a lot of bands I love have played at both.
Alex : Yeah, I agree with him. Maybe House of Blues would be cool as well.
1127 : What made you want to step into the music scene?
Evan : I’ve always wanted to do music since I was a kid. I didn’t really have the option until kind of recently within my life. I found the hardcore/punk scene in OC really interesting and that in itself kinda got me to move up here to experience it.
Alex : Same page as Evan. I’ve always wanted to do music and began producing when I was 10. My style of production is definitely more EDM or electronically inspired but when I became friends with Evan, I began to want to expand that sound, and in a way that sort of combines the worlds of hardcore or punk with electronic music.
1127 : What is your guys’ songwriting process like?
Evan : We don’t live together so we both will just usually make a bunch of beats and then when we can, we come together to work on vocals and the bass lines. Sometimes, I just do the bass and the beat by myself and Alex will just give me feedback. Other way around minus the bass of course too. We have our own solo projects too, I go by “F1sh Farm” but I currently don’t play bass on it. So when it comes to that, I make beats the same way I do for The Hart just even more electronic influence.
Alex : Yeah, our song writing process is very confusing right now just because of our current situations, but I’d say it gets the job done. We’re like brothers so it’s typically just us making random beats whether it be by myself, or Evan and expanding on the ones we really like.
1127 : If you had to describe The Hart with one word what would it be?
Evan : Confusion.
Alex : Yes.
1127: You guys have a new single coming out in a couple weeks. What can we expect?
Evan : It’s pretty different from our EP, and it’s connected to what I alluded towards earlier. It’s loud and I scream pretty much the whole time. But our vibe is there.
Alex : Yeah, definitely different from our EP but I feel like we’ve sort of established our sound so it’s nothing too unfamiliar but it’s definitely gonna be crazy.
Be sure to check out The Hart’s new single “UR NOTHING, SO WHAT” dropping February 10