Tangled Magazine

My American Heart: An Interview with Larry Soliman

Interview by Laura Hartley and Jamie Evangelista

Written by Laura Hartley

“Our inspiration was not doing a shitty record; we’ve done that. We wanted to something that we are proud of.” Rock band My American Heart’s second studio album, Hiding Inside The Horrible Weather was released late last year, and what’s followed is a whirlwind of tours, playing in Europe with The Blackout, performing at the Australian Soundwave Festival, and supporting Mayday Parade across America.

The band, which consists of Larry Soliman, Jesse Barrera, Dustin Hook and Jake Kalb, is obviously proud of their latest album. “Our musicianship and maturity as musicians has grown quite a bit, and the song writing is a lot better, it’s more mature than anything we have put out [before]”, says Larry.

“[The song] Dangerous is pretty inspirational [for me]. It’s a really personal song…it’s about an old lover.”

Touring with the Australian Soundwave Festival this year, it was announced that drummer Steve Oira would be replaced by Jake Kalb. The band posted a message on their MySpace page stating, “Steve and us have been together in bands since we were 15… we were the best of friends. As you start to tour things change. You’re around the same people constantly and fuse’s wear thin. Sometimes the “tour” atmosphere is not the best for certain people to be in… Steve and us decided that’d it’d be best for him to go home and discontinue playing with the band. It was a mutual decision. We still love him and support him through all his future endeavours.

The band easily found their new drummer in Jake. “He was in a band called New Atlantic, we went on tour with them and The Audition, and their band broke up and he was filling in for another band called The Fold for a little while. We asked him to come play with us and he’s a good friend of ours, so we knew him for about a year before [he joined the band]… I really feel like a strong [bond]. This team is promising. Jake is a good person, he vibes with us.”

Although the band say touring as extensively as they are is “exhausting”, they are clearly still having fun. “[Before each performance] we put our hands in and do a ‘Whoa Bundy’ on three, salute the beer drinkers of the world.”

“[Growing up] I listened to different things; Boyz II Men, Al Green, The Emotions, The Temptations a lot of RnB and soul”, said Larry. “My mom is really into soul and jazz, so I really feel like it takes a part in what we do, we put more soul into our music.”

As for My American Heart’s next single, “We’re looking towards Boys Grab Your Guns or Tired and Uninspired.”

My American Heart’s latest album, Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather is in stores now.

You can visit their MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/myamericanheart