Q&A: The Story of Casino Hearts and Their Debut Single "In & Out of Time"
Interview By Mariah Towles
INDIE ELECTRONIC BAND CASINO HEARTS has captured the essence of collaboration and innovation. Based in Los Angeles, Casino Hearts consists of Forest Holter, Nick Minor, and Jacob Rubeck. The band's journey began in Reno, Nevada, in 2013 when Rubeck and Minor joined forces, releasing a number of albums and becoming a staple of the local music scene. However, life took them in different directions, leading to a temporary hiatus when Rubeck moved to Los Angeles. Their story took a new turn in 2021 when Minor also relocated to LA, and together they recruited Holter, adding a fresh pop and electronic sensibility to their indie rock sound. This new era for the band is marked by the release of their debut single, "In and Out."
Casino Hearts' evolution is a testament to the power of collaboration and resilience. Influenced by iconic artists like My Bloody Valentine, Björk, Broadcast, and Cocteau Twins, the trio has crafted a unique sound that blends dream pop, distorted guitars, and trance-like beats. Their debut EP, Lose Your Halo, is a sonic quilt anchored by Holter’s ethereal, gossamer voice, showcasing the band's final form. The title track "In & Out of Time" exemplifies their commitment to quality over quantity, highlighting their meticulous approach to songwriting and production.
In this interview, we discuss the origins of the band, their collaborative songwriting process, and the innovative sound that sets them apart. We also delve into the creative journey behind "In & Out Of Time", a track that started with a simple melody and evolved into a rich, textured piece that showcases the combined influences and talents of Rubeck, Minor, and Holter.
LUNA: Can you tell us a bit about the origins of Casino Hearts?
RUBECK: Absolutely. Casino Hearts actually started as a solo project of mine back in Reno, Nevada. I met Nick shortly after moving there, and we discovered a shared love for music. We started working on some ideas together, but life got busy, and things got put on hold. It wasn't until the pandemic hit that we reconnected and decided to give it another shot. Once I moved to LA, I brought in Forest to collaborate as well.
LUNA: How would you describe your songwriting process?
RUBECK: It's definitely a collaborative effort. Someone might come in with a basic song idea, and then we all build on it together. We really focus on the songwriting itself, making sure every song is the best it can be before moving on. That's why we're only putting out four songs on our first EP – quality over quantity is important to us.
HOLTER: I come from much a more electronic background, so coming into the project we've just fed each other different influences. It's a lot of collaborating and if anyone has an idea, we we share it and and then build off of it.
LUNA: Can you tell us a bit about each of your roles in the band?
RUBECK: Originally, Casino Hearts was meant to be a solo project, but Nick quickly became an essential part of the creative process. He plays guitar and adds tons of ideas throughout the songwriting. Forest brings her experience with electronic music to the table. She also has a fantastic voice, which adds another layer to our sound.
LUNA: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences?
MINOR: Obviously, Jacob and I really like shoegaze, but we also like are big fans of rock music in general.I like a lot of 80s guitar stuff. Forest, coming from such an electronic background, pulls influences from that genre that make less sense to me, just because it's not what I'm used to. I think that's why it works. I think the future of most music is more electronic.
RUBECK: That's an interesting question. We're all huge fans of music history and appreciate different genres. We wouldn't say we have specific influences, but rather, our sound is a tribute to music in general. We definitely draw on our own musical tastes, but we're not trying to recreate anything specific.
LUNA: What are your goals for the future with Casino Hearts?
RUBECK: We're planning to release a series of EPs, each one with a little surprise for our listeners. Ultimately, our main goal is to enjoy the creative process and see where it takes us. We're open to exploring different sounds and genres as we move forward.
LUNA: What kind of impact do you hope your music has on listeners?
HOLTER: That's a lot of pressure! I think a song that I wrote resonating with someone is rewarding in any way. I can't expect anyone to feel a specific way, but if somebody loves it, or they feel something that, then that is what I want.
LUNA: Do you have any specific memories from the creative process that stand out?
RUBECK: The mixing process was definitely a highlight. Each revision took us back to the initial spark of inspiration for the songs. It was incredible to collaborate and create these unique sounds together.
LUNA: Looking towards the long term, what are your aspirations for the band?
RUBECK: We definitely have a plan for rolling out our EPs, but honestly, as long as we're enjoying making music together, that's the most important thing. Life can be unpredictable, so we're taking things one step at a time and focusing on the creative journey.
LUNA: Can you share that surprise you mentioned for your upcoming EPs?
RUBECK: Sure! One thing that might surprise listeners is that we didn't use any traditional guitars on this EP. We found that using a digital approach allowed us to be more efficient and create a sound that felt more honest to our vision. It was a breakthrough for us, even though we initially thought Casino Hearts would be a guitar-driven band.
LUNA: To wrap things up, is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
RUBECK: People might be familiar with my other projects, but what's exciting about this project is working with Forest and Nick. These are two very special people that I love dearly, are very creative and they just know where they're going, and I want people to see how ellw they shine. I hope that people get that, because I feel like there is such a shining moment for everybody in this music, and we hope to continue share that togetherness.
HOLTER: I feel the same way, I think we inspire each other in a trio-symbiotic way, and that's all we're doing - chasing what excites us in the moment.
MINOR: Fundamentally, this project is about relationships -the substance of it. I don't want to speak for Jacob, but early on, he wrote about relationships and I think it’s become a different type of relationship. It's about us three now, and I think it's about what's fulfilling for us. I'm really only concerned with what is going to work for us. I just hope that that comes through, and is a wave length that people can get on. I think where this project is going is interesting and I just hope that it’s appreciated.
