Can you tell us about the inspiration behind "Tears Run Rings" and the story it tells?

The Heroic Enthusiasts were first approached by Chris Halstead of Coitus Interruptus Productions (CIP) about a tribute compilation of Marc Almond songs in 2021. CIP is a project dedicated to the creation of tribute albums to the underrepresented bands of yesterday and today, made by fans for fans. We were very excited to contribute and chose “Tears Run Rings” for its energy and its weaving of the personal and universal pain inflicted by war and environmental destruction. We recently decided to more widely release the track on ECR/Meridian given the current state of the world, wanting its message to be more broadly heard.

Can you talk about the recording and production process for "Tears Run Rings?"

So you want us to pull back the curtain, aye? Well, we originally built all the backing tracks in Akai MPC2 using the MPC Key 60 as our controller. Wanting to bring a big danceable sound to the track, we started with an EDM-based drum kit and programmed a syncopated kick and a straight-up snare on 2 and 4, along with some interesting topper patterns for the hats, woodblocks, snaps, etc. For the intro bass, we actually used a Prophet 5 brass sound to give a bit of a NOLA feel, but for the main bass sound, we used a classic frequency-modulated “club” bass from F9 Audio. We then added some fat string pads and a nice bouncy celeste nod to The Bronski Beat, and we had the backing tracks and arrangement pretty well mapped out. Our process for “Tears” and all of our recent work is to then bounce the backing tracks into Pro Tools Studio, where we rough in our initial guitar parts and vocals. Those roughs were engineered by long-time friend Mikey James (Singing River, Admirers, Longwave, The Mercers). When we are happy with what we have, we send all the pieces and parts over to Stephen Hague in Essex, UK, to work hand-in-virtual-hand with us in a back-and-forth process to perfect everything. And we mean everything! This process typically takes many many months but “Tears” moved quickly - we started working on “Tears” in mid-November 2021 and had it in the can by the end of January 2022.

What did you enjoy most about making "Tears Run Rings?"

We really enjoyed the initial process of working together to conceive what this cover should be, and how it should sound. We also loved the collaboration with Mikey James (Engineering) and Stephen Hague (Production) since they shared our vision.

Can you share a bit about your musical background and the journey that led you to where you are today?

Tom: My parents bought me a guitar with lessons when I was 6 or 7. I was in my first band in HS and then founded Bullseye, which was signed to Columbia Records. The band reformed as Electra 5, and was signed by Master/Teldec for GAS recording, living and touring Germany, Denmark, and Holland. When I returned, I was asked to join The Puppets in 1985, a one-hit phenom. I then continued to work with a reformed version of that group until I met James Tabbi. Pick up 2014 - The Heroic Enthusiasts!

James: My first musical love was Prog Rock (Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd…) before I discovered Gary Numan, Kraftwerk, Human League, and the like in the early 80s. My brother turned me on to Art Rock and other interesting music in the '70s after my sister passed away in her teens. It was our escape to listen to and analyze the lyrics and music of those bands and Al Stewart, David Bowie, Dire Straits, and so many others. If it wasn’t for those deep dives into those lyrics, I don’t know what I would be doing today. In the early eighties, I started making music and formed the band Eleven Pond. That project made me realize that I had a passion (and maybe a little talent) for writing meaningful lyrics and a catchy melody. I’ve been making music ever since then.

Can you share a memorable experience from a collaboration that enriched your music?

Soon after the two of us first met, we composed, programmed, and recorded a 4-song demo for singer Jackie Smith-Lee. That project was fueled by our mutual chemistry and love of music, which many years later was rekindled into the birth of The Heroic Enthusiasts.

FYI. “Tears Run Rings” credits:
● The Heroic Enthusiasts are James TABBI and Thomas FERRARA
● Produced by: Stephen HAGUE & The Heroic Enthusiasts
● Mixed by: Stephen HAGUE
● Mastered by: Dick BEETHAM at 360 Mastering Ltd, UK
● Engineered by: Mike JAMES
● Performance Credits: James TABBI - Vocals, Programming, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer; Thomas FERRARA - Guitars, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer; Mike JAMES - Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel; Stephen HAGUE - Additional Keyboards and Programming, AssociatedPerformer
● Recorded at: MJ Posh Studio, Victor, NY
● Time: 3:41

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