Burn Halo are probably a band you haven't heard much of yet, but you should expect to be hearing them soon. What was once the solo project of ex- Eighteen Visions frontman James Hart, has turned into a band that is ready to take the music world by storm. I would just like to thank James Hart for taking the time out to talk to us.
Mike O: Where did the name Burn Halo first come from? Is there a special story behind it?
James H: Well, I was never really sure whether or not I was going to release albums and tour as a solo artist (James Hart) or give this thing a name and a real band feel. I had actually somewhat assembled a band before I decided to call it "Burn Halo." After rehearsing with a live band again for the first time in well over a year, it just felt like a band. I didn't feel like a solo artist. I felt like I was fronting a rock band. A unit of five.
As for the name "Burn Halo," I wanted something that sounded great and was easy to say. I also wanted something with some sort of spiritual undertone. I had originally wanted to go with the name "Halomaker", but there was a European band from the 90's that had released a couple of tracks on i-tunes. So I shot that down. I liked the idea of using the word "halo." I feel it's a strong word with strong representation. As far as the word "burn," whenever I see a visual of a halo, it is lit up. Illuminated. Shining. Forever burning. To me, "Burn Halo" is an ever-shining halo. Eternally illuminated.
Mike O: Burn Halo did things differently than most bands with writing and recording before the whole band was assembled. Was it hard for you all to come together as a band when so much was accomplished already?
James H: Not at all. You can tell if it's going to work after playing 30 seconds of a song together. I just wanted to make sure that everyone involved was hard working. Goal oriented. I didn't want any egos. I wanted a bunch of easy going guys that want to win. In a sense, it was almost easier. The map was already laid out for everyone. At that point, it was just a matter of if they liked the songs or didn't. Or if they had a good or bad attitude about things.
Mike O: I know Burn Halo are in the studio, who is producing your full length?
James H: The record is actually 100% finished. I finished the album back in January. The record was produced by Zac Maloy. I also wrote the album with him. It was pretty much 50/50 with the exception of one song and a couple of riffs.
Mike O: What is the recording process like for Burn Halo?
James H: This was much different from any album that I have ever made. I knew going in what kind of album I wanted to make. I started out by making monthly trips to Tulsa, OK. That is where Zac Maloy lives. He does a good percentage of his writing out there. We would just sit down in the studio with a couple of acoustic guitars and had a go at things. We built the songs from the ground up. It was very organic.
In the past (with 18 Visions), I would just be handed a music bed and asked to write to the song. I wasn't as much a part of writing the actual beds to the music until we got into pre-production where we could strip down the songs and really dig into them, but we never really built a song from the ground up. I think that's a big reason why some of the 18V songs were so different. There were three main song writers, meaning three different visions. Burn Halo is my vision. There was no interruption in the writing or tracking of the album. No compromise.
Once the songs were finished and ready to go, we came back out to LA. We hired out Daniel Adair (Nickelback) to track the drums and Chris Chaney (Jane's Addiction) to track the bass. From there we went back to Tulsa to track guitars and vocals. I met Neal Tiemann out in Tulsa when we were writing. He has written a bit for the album and was slated to play lead guitar until he was give the unique opportunity to play with his hometown friend and America Idol winner Dave Cook.Neal played all of the guitars on the album aside from two leads on a couple of different tracks.
Once the album was ready to mix, we took it back to LA to finish up with Chris Lord Alge. It was a long process, but well worth the time.
Mike O: What has been the toughest part about being in the studio?
James H: This was actually a very painless record to make. There was no compromise, no interruptions. You tend to get that when you write with an actual band. When there are more opinions. More egos. I had none of that. I guess the toughest part was having to be away from home. Which I am very used to doing since I live life on the road.
Mike O: When should we be expecting it out, and have you officially decided on the number of tracks, the name of the full length, and the names of the tracks?
James H: We should have a release date really soon here. We have been waiting to get the album out around a big tour. Something to help give it a good push right off the bat. So that is in the works. I think the latest the record will come out is Jan 09. As for the tracks, I think we are going with 11 on the album. There is one other song that was tracked, mixed and mastered and a few others that need to be re-tracked, mixed and mastered that would make for great B-sides or exclusive tracks. As for an album name, I am still undecided. I probably won't make a decision until I know what the release date is. As for the track names... I have "Dead End Roads & Lost Highways," "Dirty Little Girl," and "Save Me." I will be releasing a full list of titles once I have a release date.
Mike O: Should your fans be expecting any special guest lending a hand on the disc?
James H: I can say that they may or may not be excited about Syn Gates from Avenged Sevenfold plays the lead on "Dirty Little Girl." He also plays the leads on a song called "Anejo" (there, I gave you another song title) that he also co-wrote for the album. I love his style and I think it fits great with the two tracks he plays on.
Mike O: A lot of fans want to know what equipment there favorite bands use, care to share?
James H: Well, as for guitars... I like Gibson Les Pauls through Marshall jcm 800s. Just a good, classic guitar tone. Especially for rock. Same thing with bass gear. American Fenders through an Ampeg. You can't really go wrong.
Mike O: Is there any chance of a Burn Halo tour coming up soon?
James H: Yes. The band will be touring by Jan 09 at the latest in support of the album. I am hoping to get this thing out on the road by the end of the summer. So stay tuned for more info.
Mike O: Thanks for taking the time out to talk to us. Anything you would like to say to all of your fans reading this?
James H: Thanks for the support & GOD BLESS!