Chicago-based duo BELLHEAD returns with their upcoming EP, Threats, blending post-punk, industrial, and gothic influences. We discuss their evolving sound, dark themes, and what’s next for the band.
1.
BELLHEAD has developed a reputation for crossing over genres like post-punk,
gothic, industrial, alternative, and metal. Can you talk a little bit about how
you’ve shaped this eclectic sound, and how it resonates with your fanbase?
Ivan: We are not
very good at staying in our lane. We have broad tastes in music and see the
trappings of any style. When writing a song I want to do something that keeps
me interested, something I want to hear. Sometimes that’s something new, new to
me. Sometimes that’s something time tested and true. I just don’t want to write
the same song over and over to fill out an album. I don’t want to play two
songs at a show that anyone could say “didn’t they already play this” no, I
want you to be damn sure this is something you have not heard before tonight.
We are the carnival barkers and the audience gets behind it as when the set
twists and turns they go on a ride with us.
2. Your upcoming EP, "Threats," is set to release soon. Can you
tell us what fans can expect from this new release, both musically and
thematically?
Ivan: We are really proud of this release. Musically it shows a lot of
growth from the two of us, and we really tried to come up with something fresh.
We went through personal losses that resulted in emotional outbursts. Mourning
has a way with word and song. The record is not about death. It’s not that one
dimensional. Death, she is the progenitor of the work. We hope everyone enjoys
it as much as we enjoyed writing and recording it.
3. "Threats" deals with familiar themes of death, revenge,
heartbreak, and femme fatales. How do these darker themes influence your
songwriting process? Is there a specific song on the EP that stands out to you
in terms of emotional depth or storytelling?
Ivan: Write what you know. “Threats” is a whole movie told in just over
four minutes. I think it’s one of my favorite songs to-date we have put out.
You get a real understanding of the character, the environment and the
emotional stakes all with enough room that you the listener can interpret the
finer details to fit your world.
4. It’s clear that your music often explores intense emotional landscapes.
Do you find that drawing on these heavy themes helps you process personal
experiences, or is it more about creating an experience for the listener?
Ivan: It’s about the listeners. The first listeners are us and we hear
these songs more than anyone else so they have to work and work well. I like
unreliable narrators. When there is a sole survivor of a shipwreck, do you take
him at his word? I wanted to go all in on song lyrics that were open to
interpretation. Are the intentions truly good or is there something else
unseen? If there is a special message, and there might be, I’m not going to
tell you. It’s special to the listener and you the listener will have to find
out for yourself.
5. One thing that sets BELLHEAD apart is your distinctive aesthetic. With
the shift from black and white branding to vibrant yellow for
"Threats," what was the thought process behind this change in visual
direction?
Ivan: Be Bold. We had a really great photo courtesy of Fleurette Estes
Photography and thought “lets put it on the cover of the record.” This is too
good to put on the back or inside. We want you to know exactly who is making
these Threats. Our Chicago attitude comes across.
6. The EP includes two remixes – one from Stabbing Westward’s Chris Hall and
another from Clubdrugs. How do you feel about collaborating with other artists
on your tracks, and what was it like working with such influential figures in
the music scene?
Karen: We’ve worked with Stabbing Westward previously- Walter Flakus of SW did
a remix of “Nothing as it Seems” previously.We have done some shows opening for
SW, and Chris Hall offered his skills remixing as well.
Clubdrugs are good friends we have known for a few years and have played a
handful of shows with- so it was a no brainer to have them provide a remix.
Both remixes are a lot of fun and hopefully will get plenty of plays on the
dance floor!
Ivan: Most of the time it’s us doing remixes of other artists like the ones we
have done for Clan of Xymox, Attrition, Stoneburner, and the Funeral March. It
was a pleasure to hear what Stabbing Westward’s Chris Hall and Clubdrugs take
on a BELLHEAD song turned into.
7. Since the release of ‘Good Intentions,’ BELLHEAD has been consistently on
the road. How has the intense tour schedule impacted the way you approach
writing and performing live?
Ivan: Write a lot more lyrics on hotel stationary, phone memos and on the
back of my hand. It’s a challenge because when we get home from tour we want to
do things like see other people when we really should be doing responsible
things like laundry. Meanwhile weeks turn into months and we haven’t made any
progress on new songs. We end up scheduling writing rehearsals. On such and
such date bring whatever you have no matter what shape it is in, we play it for
each other warts and all and start playing it. Take it apart, put it back
together, see what fits. Take it home, work on it, repeat. Thankfully we take
winter months off so a lot of demoing gets done when Chicago is especially cold
and shitty out.
Karen: Except we didn’t take off as much time as we were hoping this year. Ivan
and I spend a lot of time in the car “solving the problems of the world”-
basically figuring out our future plans. While we’re driving from one city to
the next we talk through anything from what kind of merch to make next, to
where we want to play shows in the fall. We dissect rough demos we’ve written
on CDs and work out songs that way.
8. You’ve shared the stage with bands like Stabbing Westward, Julien-K, and
Clan of Xymox. Are there any standout moments or collaborations from these
shows that have influenced your own music or performances?
Ivan: Playing with great bands makes everyone work harder. We were on tour with
Then Comes Silence and The Bellwether Syndicate and every night was
one-upmanship. Friendly competition but competitive nonetheless. We’ve done
shows with Night Club, Powerman 5000, Traitrs, Christian Death and each time we
know not only do we have to win over their fans but we also have to put on a
searing show to try and top these bands.
9. Your live shows have earned you a reputation for being fiery and
interactive. What does the live experience mean to you, and how do you create
such an engaging atmosphere for your fans?
Karen: It is our job to be entertaining performers for the paid audience. No
one enjoys going to a concert and watching people stand there as glorified
karaoke machines. What you hear on the album and see on the music videos is
what you’ll get from us live. You’re going to get your money's worth.
10. "Threats" marks your first EP of new material since ‘Good
Intentions.’ How do you feel the band has evolved in terms of sound and
performance since that release? What’s been the most exciting development for
you as musicians?
Karen: A lot has changed since 2023.... I got a new hat.
All joking aside. We always strive to evolve and improve ourselves. Our live
performances have gotten stronger for sure. Lyric writing, something that was
100% Ivan shouldered, was tossed to me for one song on the new album and I
tried to flex that muscle. Ivan is constantly chasing new sounds for our
programming and lead roles.
I think someone who hasn’t seen us in a few years would be very happy and
surprised to see the force we’ve become.
11. With such a diverse fanbase spanning multiple genres, how do you
navigate creating music that satisfies both long-time listeners and newcomers
to the band? Do you have a balance you aim for when crafting your sound?
Ivan: We write songs that we want to hear. I would wager all our songs take
around the same amount of time to write as it’s a process of living with the
song and seeing how excited it makes us. If we lose enthusiasm and can’t get it
back the song goes in the bin. You can fake a lot of things but you can’t fake
enthusiasm. I can honestly say we truly enjoy our songs and are excited to play
them at every show.
12. Looking ahead, what’s next for BELLHEAD after the release of
"Threats"? Are there any plans for new music, upcoming tours, or
other projects that fans should be excited about?
Karen: We have a number of tour dates for 2025 including a few festivals,
with more shows to be announced. Expect a music video in the future to
supplement ‘Threats’.
4/05 The Hook and Ladder - Minneapolis, MN - Fireseek Festival
4/24 Rose Bowl Tavern - Urbana, IL - Bat Factory
4/25 Art Sanctuary - Louisville, KY
4/26 Spectrum Record Lounge - Cape Girardeau, MO w/ Gary Robert and Community
4/27 Sk8bar - Kansas City, MO w/ Cables & Lace / Juliette Frost
5/03 Liar’s Club - Chicago, IL w/ Skatenigs
5/04 Falcon Bowl - Milwaukee, WI w/ Skatenigs / Choke Chain
5/10 Small’s - Hamtramck, MI - Fixation 2025 w/ Assemblage 23 / Ego Likeness /
Al1CE / Cyanotic / Mari Kattman / Amaranth
5/30 Chicago Steampunk Expo 2025 w/ Charming Disaster
8/09 Healer - Indianapolis, IN w/ Plague Garden / In A Darkened Room / Grave
Love / Final Girl / Broken Nails / Waiting for Meteors / Twice Dark
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