5 Quick Questions With LA-Based Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist, Freedom Heartsong

                                                                              By Staff Writer Freedom Heartsong is a Los Angeles based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and multimedia artist. In late 2019, he signed a global distribution deal with Sony/Orchard, Dark Star...
Photo By Joe Guardo

                                                                              By Staff Writer

Freedom Heartsong is a Los Angeles based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and multimedia artist. In late 2019, he signed a global distribution deal with Sony/Orchard, Dark Star Records which released his first album “Get A Heart On”  in May, 2020. That same year, he became the top-selling artist on the entire record label, and also one of only two artists submitted for a Grammy consideration, with his song “Ecstatic Magic.” In 2021 he was again on the Grammy ballot  for  his single, “Evil Grieves.” Blues is the foundation of all of his music, and the heart and soul of his sound. His original music, as well as his solo and power trio live performances, are bluesy, soulful, rockin’ and rollin’ tunes filled with positive energy. Freedom has rocked a variety of notable venues, from The Mint and The Viper Room in Los Angeles, to The Cutting Room and Otto’s Shrunken Head in NYC, and shared bills with the likes of The Beach Boys, Cheap Trick, All American Rejects, Neon Trees, and Sugar Ray. He has garnered artist endorsements from Blackstar Amplification, Warm Audio, and Thimble Slide. His album “Get A Heart On” was produced, mixed, and engineered by Barry Pointer (John 5 & The Creatures, Glen Sobel, Todd Morse) at Riott House Studio and mastered by Mike Wells Mastering (Green Day, The Mother Hips). In the summer of 2022, Freedom released his full-length album “The Humane Experience,” which he produced entirely, which was mixed and engineered by Benjamin Cunill of Left Coast Recording, and was mastered by twelve-time Grammy nominee and four-time Grammy winning mastering engineer Gavin Lurssen (George Harrison, Lenny Kravitz, Ben Harper, Robert Plant).

An all-around self-taught creative, life experience and the learn by doing approach have been essential to Freedom’s growth and development. In addition to music, throughout his entire life, he has made countless artistic creations in a wide variety of disciplines including design, sculpture, woodwork, ceramics, painting, photography, printmaking, and poetry. From the rainforests of Costa Rica to the cultural art and music centers of Africa, to the legendary clubs of Los Angeles and New York City, a rich diversity of cultures have influenced him along the way. With an international presence in the music and art communities, Freedom’s fans and artwork can be found in many countries around the world. His work is infused with socially-aware messaging and poetic meaningful lyricism overflowing with good vibes. He creates music with the loving intention of inspiring all people to be their best selves and enjoy life to the fullest.

Freedom Heartsong released his most recent album, The Humane Experience, on June 17th, 2022, and his new single, “Will Power,” will be released on March 17, 2023 via Sony/Orchard, Dark Star Records.

Blues-E-News recently interviewed Freedom, here’s how it went.

BEN: Let’s talk about your new single, “Will Power.” Tell us about the song itself, how it came to you, that whole songwriting/recording process? 

FH: This song is exceptionally special to me, as it really exemplifies the heart and soul of my musical sound. That stompin’, bluesy, swampy goodness is prolific in many of my favorite influences, and I wanted the entirety of the song to have that feel. The intro came to me a while back, while I was going through all sorts of tough times in life. It was kind of a personal anthem and mantra for a bit, reminding me that whatever comes, I won’t give up or quit, and will carry on with persistence and determination. The rest of the song tells the story familiar to anyone who might find themselves in a tough situation, feeling weighed down and worn out. In my experience, the only way out of a situation or feeling like that is to harness the energy of your “will power” and direct to the most constructive channels possible. To pick yourself up off the ground and keep going. It also is very specifically talking about changing behaviors or patterns that don’t serve you anymore as you evolve, and addressing unhealthy recurring cycles, through conscious thought and effort. This is a song of motivation, persistence, determination, strength, and courage, and a reminder that we have the power within us to overcome any obstacle. “When the future looks just like the past, I don’t want this feeling to last, so I reach way down deep in my soul, and pull out that will power gold.”

BEN: Talk a little bit about your record deal with Sony/Orchard back in 2019. How did that go for you, and what did you learn from it?

FH: Towards the end of 2019 I had just finished my EP “Get A Heart On” and my manager at the time had told me that once I finished it, she would pitch it to the label. The idea of having worldwide distribution of my music through Sony Music/The Orchard was pretty amazing to say the least, and once the president of Dark Star Records heard it, he loved it and me as an artist as well. The deal was signed that fall, very soon after I finished mastering the music. It was certainly a monumental moment in my music career, and served as further evidence that there is no substitute for everlasting persistence in life, especially in the music business.

BEN: Why did you take up the guitar, and who are some of your musical influences/muses that play guitar, either past or present?

FH: I have been creating and listening to music my entire life; it is intrinsic to my life and soul, to who I am. When I was nine years old, my older brother got an acoustic guitar. We started learning at the same time by playing all of the Nirvana, 90’s tunes, and classic rock licks we could manage. I just kept on playing his guitar until I got my own when I was about 14, and never stopped. Without question, my biggest musical influence that plays guitar would be Jimi Hendrix. In the explosive obliteration of the guitar, the message of love, the mastery, and of all things pentatonic, bluesy, and rock n’ roll, there is no comparison to Hendrix in my opinion. We also happen to share a birthday, which is pretty cool. I have also always said, when you are talking about the greatest guitar players ever, which I know everybody has an opinion about, for me it’s about the two Jimi/Jimmy’s – Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page. Being the guitar voice at the foundation of one of the most influential and powerful rock n’ roll bands of all time, to me and the world, Page exemplifies a similar virtuosic musicality that I aspire to, and inspires me to be better, the best I can be. 

BEN: What’s the current state of live gigs in Southern California, and more specifically, the LA/Hollywood area, post-Covid? Are things back to pre-Covid levels?

FH: As far as live gigs in Southern California, I think it really depends on where you go, who you are, and what level you are at in your music career. There is kind of a running joke within the music community here, that I have heard time and time again, that as a musician you come to LA, to leave LA. It’s an amazing place to connect with the music community, studios, resources, etc, but when it comes to live shows, touring is more the point for me. That said, we have shows booked all over California and beyond this year, and the live music scene, while probably still recovering from the pandemic debacle, is alive and well. 

BEN: If you were not a musician, what other profession do you think you might be working at/in? Have you ever done anything besides play music, for a living, as an adult?

FH: For me, music and art is not something I necessarily choose to do, like someone might decide to go into a particular profession or occupation. It is truly who I am and what I know. Yes, in addition to music, I am also a visual artist. I work predominantly in exotic hardwoods as a medium, creating everything from sculptural pieces to electric guitars. Actually, the guitars I record and perform with I built and carved myself from scratch. I love the creative process and love channeling that energy into creation, through my music, through my art, and beyond.

Find out more about Freedom Heartsong by visiting www.freedomheartsong.com; https://www.facebook.com/freedomheartsong1; and https://www.instagram.com/freedomheartsong/.

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