Hearts & Mines is an emerging Canadian band with an eclectic sound which combines unique genres into authentic blends of alternative rock.

Since early 2009, the band has performed countless concerts, released their EP Pictures on Silence, appeared on several television shows, and made the cut to compete in the Ottawa radio station Live 88.5’s: Big Money Shot Contest.

The band was inspired by Ret. Corporal Matthew Luloff’s experience as a soldier in the Canadian Forces – deployed to Afghanistan. Canada’s role in the conflict has been a controversial issue for many Canadians.

As a combat soldier and political activist, Luloff has at times challenged the status quo on issues of morals, principles, and politics.  As a friend of Luloff, I am well aware of his ability to weave deep prose capable of inspiring anyone to question their beliefs.

I sat down with Luloff, who along with Hearts & Mines, will compete in Round 1 of the Live 88.5′s: Big Money Shot on May 28.

Riaz Sidi – BiasViewer: Hearts & Mines was formed after you returned from Afghanistan but when I talked to your bandmate Ryan Moore, he suggested he would never have joined ‘a war band’. How do you avoid being put in a box or labelled despite your story or your desire to bring awareness to changing the political landscape?

Ret. Corporal Matthew Luloff – Hearts & Mines: Ryan is correct. We are not a “war band.” We are neither for or against the current missions. I am able to separate my own opinion from what we wish to promote, which, honestly, is doubt. H&M is about asking questions. Why do we accept everything we are told as fact? Why do we still call the wars in the middle east the War on Terror when we know we cannot be at war with a concept or something intangible. We want people to ask questions and look for their own answers, not take the ones crafted for them.

Sidi: How do your bandmates complement that?

Luloff: First and foremost, we are an intelligent group of gentlemen interested in different areas. Grant occupies himself with questions of history – while technology and design interest Ryan and Jason respectively. We are all knowledge seekers encouraging others to do the same.

Sidi: To what do you attribute your early success?

Luloff: Really? Determination. Maybe the fact that everyone is afraid to ask me the hard questions about having been a soldier and they are looking for answers in the music.

Sidi: How do you plan to keep your music fresh?

Luloff: Because the search for knowledge ends only in more questions, we are sure not to run out of material.

Sidi: What are you doing to prepare for the Live 88.5 Big Money Shot? And when is your show?

Luloff: We have been busy with our stage show and dynamics, practicing twice a week. We are on at 9:50 p.m. sharp May 28th!

Sidi: Thank you for taking the time to sit down with me.

Luloff: It was great talking to you – and I just want to thank our friends, family, fans, and followers for their ongoing support for Hearts & Mines!

Check out the band’s official website and MySpace for the latest news and updates. You can also follow the band on Twitter and their Facebook fan page.

I will be following up with Luloff to ask the hard questions into his experiences as a soldier and for updates on the band.

Here’s a preview of what Hearts & Mines will be bringing to the Big Money Shot: 2010 Edition:

No related posts.