Freedom Heartsong is a Los Angeles based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and multimedia artist. In late 2019, he signed a global distribution deal with Dark Star Records, Sony Music, and The Orchard which released his first album “Get A Heart On” on May 23rd, 2020. That same year, he became the #1 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 considered for a Grammy with 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 bring bluesy, soulful, rockin’ and rollin’ tunes filled with positive energy. He 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. 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 at Riott House Studio and mastered by Mike Wells Mastering. This summer, he will release his full length album entitled The Humane Experience, which he produced entirely, was mixed and engineered by Benjamin Cunill of Left Coast Label, and was mastered by twelve-time Grammy nominee and four-time Grammy winning mastering engineer Gavin Lurssen.
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 NYC, a rich diversity of cultures have influenced him along the way. With an international presence in the music and art communities, his 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 will release his new album, The Humane Experience, on June 17th, 2022 via Dark Star Records / The Orchard.
Hello and welcome to OLC! For all our followers out there can you tell us a bit about you and how your musical journey began?
Thank you! Music has always been a huge part of my life, from a very young age. I started playing the guitar when I was about 9, and was already listening to greats like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and all the 90s grunge by then. I’ve been writing and singing songs for as long as I can remember. Music is really in the fabric of my DNA, I live and breathe it every day.
Who were some of your biggest inspirations growing up and what did you love about their craft?
The artists I just mentioned, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin have and continue to be some of my biggest musical inspirations. The sheer talent and explosive nature of the music they have created, shocking yet soothing, pure sonic art exemplified, inspires me to be the best I can possible be and channel that soulful music into each performance.
I have to ask where did the artist name Freedom Heartsong come from?
It came from my spiritual journey, from the universe and through various messages over time. Freedom was first given to me by a chief representative of the Northern Cheyenne tribe and was confirmed over and over again by other sources. Heartsong came over time, from singing the “heartsong” with countless people, the pure space of spontaneous musical creation, tuned into and flowing from the soul, a magnetic musical force of nature, drawing people in and uplifting simultaneously.
You signed with Dark Star Records, so how were you discovered?
Yes, I am very thankful, I love Dark Star and the whole team at the label, amazing people. Max Wasa introduced me to them and it all fell into place right as I finished my first album “Get A Heart On”, which they loved and then signed me.
Let’s talk about your newest single “Warrior Of The Light”, what inspired you to write this?
This song came from a very challenging time, where I needed to really fight for what was right. It is a song of encouragement for myself and the world to never give in or give up when you are struggling for something that you know in your heart is true and right. It is an anthem for perseverance and courage in the face of life’s obstacles.
Talk me through the creative process of the song and who helped you work on it?
This song really just came to me as I was singing and playing my guitar one day in the depths of battling some very intense challenges. Like most songs, they come out organically as I sing and play, and they evolve and take form as I repeat lyrics and riffs that resonate with my inner sentiments. “I’m a warrior of the light….” is me really proclaiming that to the universe and the situation, saying I will stand firm and overcome all obstacles. No one helped me work on it, it came from my soul.
It’s taken from your forthcoming album ‘The Humane Experience’, what can fans expect from this album and what do you hope they take away from it?
They can expect a very real experience of my true musical self and a real reflection of many of life’s challenges, imbued with encouragement and inspiration to overcome, grow, learn, and enjoy all this journey has to offer. I hope they take away peace, and a refreshed sense of momentum in their own life, a knowing that they can create and have exactly what they are dreaming of, and to just stay the course and believe in themselves.
What made you decide to name the record ‘The Humane Experience’?
Well, it’s really a record to help make the human experience a little bit more humane, shifting the perspective on what life is and what life can be.
You produced the album in its entirety, how challenging was that when recording it?
I did, it was definitely a challenge. I think making every decision sonically and beyond for the record really forced me to get past any self doubt and stand with my decisions for the record. I’m looking forward to doing it again as I couldn’t be more pleased with how it turned out.
How important is it for you as an artist to produce your own record?
It was and is extremely important, and really gave me the opportunity to express exactly what I want artistically without any editing or molding from another source. I feel this is the record that is truest to me, my soul, and my craft so far and allows the artistic expression to be untainted and ring true to who I am and what I want to create.
You’re also involved in a lot of artistic creations like design, sculpture, woodwork, ceramics, painting, photography, and more. What do you love about all of these things and more importantly how did you learn such a vast array of art?
Yes, over the years I have really made all sorts of different creations, musically and visually. I love the creative process, I love creating. I think no matter what medium you are working with, the process is relatively the same. You tune into the moment, the craft, and you tune into your true self, and then just express. There is a “zone” or “flow” that you get in, and once you are following that flow, you just go with it and the magic happens.
What’s next on your agenda for 2022?
Releasing the album, touring and playing lots of shows, spreading good vibes and inspiration through music throughout the planet! Catch me this weekend, May 21st, in San Luis Obispo at Bliss Café, and early next month with my full band at Rancho Nipomo BBQ & Cantina in SLO on June 4th. A full list of upcoming shows can be found on my website at http://www.freedomheartsong.com/tour!
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