“Pretty Pills” by heavy on the heart. is an Expressive Anthem of Inner Fights!

The rock band from Long Island, New York, has released a single that addresses a significant issue. heavy on the heart. describes its sound as “music for the beautifully broken” and likes to call themselves “four misfits with nothing to lose.” The band consists of Nikki Brady on vocals, Costas Themistocleous on guitar, Nick Kolokathis on drums, and Andrew Nicolae on bass, creating alternative rock music that deeply connects with the audience.

Members of heavy on the heart.

Heavy on the heart. finds catharsis through music for people struggling with their inner emotions.

“Pretty Pills” delves into the topic of self-harm and emotional dependency. With eerie melodies that feel like a fight within oneself, and unfiltered lyrics that pierce straight into your conscience, the song evokes every emotion you have gone through. The striking guitar riffs, hard-hitting punches, and evocative vocals make this track resonate deeply with anyone fighting their inner demons.

We also got a chance to catch up with Costas from the band and learn in-depth about the song. Let’s hear it out from him:

1. Can you tell us more about the track and who’ll contribute to it?

Costas: “Pretty Pills” was actually a song we finished in the studio. One day, I looped the chorus riff I had on my Kemper and jumped behind the drums to play Nick the beat I heard and we would spend weeks trying to arrange this song. About a month before the studio we had the majority of the music written up until the bridge and we had no vocals or melodies. When we got to the studio and started pre-production on this is when we really brought this song to life. Gary Cioni (our producer) and I sat with guitars in our hands and started running over different riffs and phrases I had. After about 30 minutes of trying to make things that didn’t work, we were all getting frustrated. I ended up playing the bridge and outro you hear on the song and was a little disheartened by it at first. I had all these cool riffs and phrases that weren’t working and this simple little palm mute thing just felt easy. I wasn’t truly sold on it and was a little bummed. I started humming melodies and words and I remember Gary paused the song and said do that again. I started the melody again and he said work off of that. I ended up going for a drive to pick up dinner for everybody and had this newly formed outro demo on loop. On the 25 minute drive, I ended up writing the lyrics and melody for the outro. I was so excited, I rushed back into the control room and played the part for everybody. We were all bugging out in awe. It was awesome, haha. That song ended up being finished during pre-production thanks to our producer once again proving to me that less can be more.

2. What was the inspiration behind the song?

Costas: The inspiration came from a really dark time I went through. I had really bad substance abuse issues during my late teens and early 20s. I was homeless and the future did not look promising. I was abusing substances just to numb myself. To just get through day to day. It got to the point where I needed things just to enjoy the things that made me happy. I remember it was 6 am, the birds were chirping, the sky started to have that early morning blue shade and the house was quiet. It was the end of a 4 day bender. It was then and there I told myself that this was it. No more. I stayed up all day and had a friend come over to monitor me and make sure I did not fall asleep mid day. I was in bed at 10pm that night and woke up the next morning ready to face these demons head on. For 3 weeks, my body battled itself. I was sick, I was withdrawing, I couldn’t sleep, all I wanted to do was sleep, I couldn’t eat without throwing up, I couldn’t do anything. “Pretty Pills” was inspired by these 3 weeks. It was inspired by what I felt physically and mentally. I am proud to say that I have been conquering these demons for the last 10+ years. I conquer these demons every day and will continue to conquer them for the rest of my days.

3. How difficult is it to make songs that are honest and vulnerable?

Costas: Honestly, I find it easier to be honest and vulnerable within a song or sheet of paper than I do with a therapist or something of that nature. When it comes to honesty in songwriting, at that moment it’s just you, your memory and reflection. Nobody is there. Nobody is listening. Nobody is judging. Nobody is writing down their perceptions of you and storing it in a filing cabinet. In the midst of the moment, it's you, your instrument, your pen and paper. Let it all out. Let it all out to the best of your ability. It feels so relieving to let it all out. Then give it to the world to do what they want with it. For me, songwriting and creative writing is the best form of therapy I have ever known. Not only am I releasing myself, but I am also giving back to the world. As a musician, you obviously want to reach as many people as possible. But as an artist, if I was able to reach just one person and make a difference in their life with my art, I have done my job and I have done it well.

4. How was the recording process of the track?

Costas: The recording process was awesome. I have been working with Gary Cioni at Sound Acres Recording Studio for almost 6 years. A ton of records and singles. I love recording with him. I always leave as a better musician, songwriter and guitar player. This song was fun because there’s so many layers. There’s 18 guitar tracks alone, 9 different guitars. All these little percussive elements like shakers. There’s even a triangle, haha. It was awesome watching this song come to life. When we were tracking vocals, initially the second part of the outro was supposed to be a gang vocal, but we ended up throwing like 12 harmony layers on there and it just brought this whole new vibe to the song that a gang vocal would not have been able to replicate.

5. One thing you find the most difficult about making a song but is absolutely necessary.

Costas: Writers block. Imposter syndrome. Haha. Honestly, I think the most difficult thing about songwriting is being your own worst enemy and your own best critic. Constructive criticism, whether it comes from a peer or yourself is a good thing. But perfection and striving for perfection could kill such a beautiful piece or moment. I try to let songs write themselves. I try to be parallel and subconscious to my thoughts and let it flow. If I hit a roadblock, I won’t spend too much time trying to knock the wall down. I will revisit at a later time with a fresh thought and new perspective.

6. How do you decide on the topic, the recording process, and other parameters of the song as a band that has different opinions from every member?

Costas: The topic usually decides itself. Most nights, you could catch me on the couch with an acoustic guitar in my hand noodling around. It’s usually in these moments I find a riff, phrase or chord pattern that is like screaming to let me out. That riff or phrase sparks some type of emotion or brings me back to a certain point in my life. I usually just run with that when it comes to writing. Lyrically, I’ll bring what I have to Nikki and we sit down and fill in the gaps based on experiences we both have had. Which is cool because you start writing from the perspective of 2 people going through 2 totally different situations but somehow there is a relatable translation in there. That’s the beauty about music. Bringing the music to the band is a trip too. Watching them add their creative elements and these sonic layers is amazing. I love writing with this band.

7. What is the most important thing that a track needs to reach the masses?

Costas: Honestly, I really don’t know how to answer this. Music is subjective. There are plenty of huge songs out there that just don’t resonate with me. Nothing wrong with the song, artist or anything. I do think something that all songs that reach the masses have in common (outside of smart marketing, nice sized budgets and content, haha) is that they have created something based on a feeling that has a mutual sense to a multitude of listeners.

8. If you were to describe your song in one line, how would you do it?

Costas: Edgy, moody, dark but somehow hopeful and resilient.

9. What is one of the most memorable moments of your musical journey?

Costas: I have had so many over the course of my journey. One thing that never gets old is seeing the way you have genuinely touched someone. It’s one thing for someone to come over and say “hey, great song” or “great set”, it’s another when someone comes up to you and tells you that your music saved their life or that something you created has made a positive impact on them. When they get so excited that you’ll take photos and sign merch and just have genuine down to earth conversations with them. It’s beautiful. It never gets old. Truthfully, I am a very introverted, private person. But when it comes to music, the scene, meeting bands, fans and others, I am the most outgoing person there is, haha. I love that genuine honest connection with people. It’s truly special.

10. What can we expect next from heavy on the heart.?

Costas: We have got A LOT in the works. We have some more singles coming, a full length record, a bunch of tours to be announced and we are knee deep in writing the follow up record. Hopefully hitting the studio before the year ends. We have a run with a really dope band in September and we are currently booking winter, spring and summer now. We can’t wait to get back out on the road!

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