Spectre Hearts To Unveil New Album, Re on May 3, 2024
Spectre Hearts (Toronto, ON) is the solo project of Manila-born musician Zaddi Pesino (Cut Throat Britva) + a rotating line of friends ala Tame Impala. Their music is an amalgamation of catchy, deftly-crafted pop and edgy, angular post-punk rock.
After a textbook rock and roll breakup with his former band, Zaddi set out to continue pursuing his passion for music by all means necessary. Inviting musicians from online ads and friends alike into his rented studio space located in the heart of Kensington Market in the basement of a Filipino cultural centre, Zaddi, and his revolving company produced energetic music and graced iconic Toronto stages such as The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, The Silver Dollar Room, and El Mocambo.
In 2018, Spectre Hearts released their debut full-length album, LO, written and produced by Zaddi Pesino and mastered by Chuck Carvalho (Tragically Hip, Pilot Speed). Spectre Hearts is set to release their sophomore album, Re, on May 3, 2024. It was written and produced by Zaddi Pesino and mastered by Harry Hess (Pup, Cancer Bats).
Spectre Hearts will celebrate the album release with an Album Release Party at Sneaky Dees in Toronto on May 4, 2024.
Check out their latest single, “Annette” below and learn more via our Five Questions With segment.
First off care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello! My name is Zaddi Pesino. I am the mastermind behind Spectre Hearts. I was born in Manila and immigrated to Toronto at the tender age of 3. I’ve always been a bit of an entertainer and provocateur. I still remember the silly jingles I wrote as a rambunctious youth like when I was exploring a snow-covered playground where the white flakes were pushed along the fences which were enough to form huge mounds of which we would dig tunnels; I would imagine myself as the leader of an Antarctic rescue force, triumphantly singing our theme song, “We are the Emergency Kids.”
I am passionate about philosophy, creation, and the pursuit of meaning and my music is an attempt to explore deep existential themes through a highly approachable art form. I’m driven by the embodiment and pursuit of my core values – truth, liberty, and love – and I hope that my music is a reflection of that.
Tell us a bit about your recent release.
Re is a reworking, retelling, and reimagining of previously recorded demos and EPs and two unreleased tracks (What I Was and Annette). As with my debut album, LO, I wrote, performed (mostly), and produced the album all by my lonesome.
In the middle of working on the debut album for one of my other projects, Zaddi (singer-songwriter/blues/acoustic), I stumbled upon a message from one of my fans asking if I was ever going to rerelease my previous music (that I had stripped from the internet) as it meant so much to them. This lit the fuse which would result in Re. The album was mastered at HBomb Mastering by Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer Harry Hess who gave my masters that extra sparkle.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
I do believe that inspiration is like lightning in a bottle as I have had songs that come to me in a dream and afterward, frantically searching for a notebook, trying my best to capture the idea. At the same time, being intentional about your actions makes you more productive and consistency breeds results. There’s no better feeling than being in the zone and losing track of time because you love what you’re doing.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
I am playing an album release show at Sneaky Dee’s in Toronto on May 4th which bizarrely happens to be almost exactly 5 years since my previous album release party. It would be lovely to see you all there.
I have plans to create a music video for one of the tracks and maybe play the odd show but my main focus for the rest of the year will be to complete two more albums for my other projects: Zaddi and Les Canards (French bossa nova covers).
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
I recently won a remix contest sponsored by PRS Guitars, Byta, and TRIONIQ which inspired more confidence in myself as a legitimate music producer. Being played on the radio is cool and having people inperson and online thank me for my music fills me with gratitude.
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my cousin’s band, Citysleep, coming out of Calgary. Very cool lo-fi R&B. There’s also a local band called Roach who are bringing back that chic indie-rock, punk, psychedelic aesthetic. Thank you Canadian Beats for giving me the opportunity and platform to express myself and my art!
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