Getting to Know… Heartsick | Interview

In the 444^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from Lansing, Michigan-based metal band, Heartsick. 

“What makes us unique is our sound and niche genre which we have lovingly dubbed Darknucore.” Awesome, Heartsick! Regarding our first burning question, the Lansing, Michigan-based metal band expounds, “[Darknucore is] a mix of Swedish metal, Nu Metal, Industrial, and 80s synth sounds.” Ooh-wee! Heartsick comprises Alfonso Civile (vocals), Richard Pruneau (nicknamed ‘Jerred,’ guitar), Waylon Fox (bass), and Barak Harring (drums).  We get the inside scoop on the band’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and current and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump into Getting to Know… Heartsick: Interview No. 444!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Heartsick distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

Hard to answer this without coming off cliché, I shall try. I would say what makes us unique is our sound and niche genre which we have lovingly dubbed Darknucore. A mix of Swedish metal, nu metal, industrial, and 80s synth sounds. We try and take out love for bands like In Flames, Poison The Well, Deftones, Sleep Token, Korn, Duran Duran, and Nine Inch Nails and mesh it together.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Heartsick form, and what were some of your goals or visions early?

The band met in college and honestly, we had no goal. The goal was simply just jam, make heavy music, have fun, and play shows. That really has not changed.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since you first started? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

I think that if you obsess over “making it” or being “big” then you have a very short-term vision of what art and creating really is. As we have progressed as a band and evolved, and ultimately aged as humans, I think the perspective and goals have changed slightly, meaning that these days when we take shows, we can be selective, we think about the cost to not only us but to our financial wellbeing as a business that wants to continue to prosper and stay afloat to be able to continue to create. Our goals now are still to play and have fun but with the caveat that it needs to make sense. There needs to be a benefit outside of those ideals that is going to continue to push the ship forward. These days, [our aspirations] are to grow the brand as much as we can while continuing to be our authentic selves and show people that success is only a definition you put on yourself and limit.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

As a band, I think the bands that collectively come to mind are Poison The Well, Pantera, Gojira, Korn, Slipknot, Deftones, Nine Inch Nails, Metallica, In Flames, and various 80s artists. I think all of those bands have shaped our sound and are creative ideas. It is hard to not mention these bands because their impact on the culture of heavy music and artistic contributions are undeniable. I think that is what draws us in the most about them. Obviously, the music is killer, but it is the unique stories of the bands and their impact on the creation of a genre that really resonates.

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

Hmmm, way too many crazy things but one that comes to mind is having to go number two so bad that we had to pull over and let our old drummer poop behind a tree in the open lol. As far as during a performance, one that stands out is falling off a stage that was about 12 feet high…no idea why any stage would be that high off the ground, lol.

To this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Personally, I would say mine would be “Where the Trees Touch The Sun.” It just has this vibe and aura to it. Not to mention the breakdown makes me want to roundhouse at least seven Nazis straight in the cunt. What makes that song special? Just feel like it really shows everything we are as a band, and it still has this digestible vibe to it.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center we should know about Heartsick? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

I am one of those weird Judo / Jiu Jitsu guys who is too lazy to throw a punch but too proud to not at least lay down and try and break your arm…??? I pretend like I know what I am doing in music, but the truth is I just make shit up as I go.

What is Heartsick currently working on or promoting that you can share? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

The band is currently working on preparing a new record and getting ready to hit the road with Nonpoint and Crobot here in the States!

Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

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Getting to Know… Heartsick: Interview No. 444 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Heartsick; AcatXlo from Pixabay]