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<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>We go for a virtual walk where it's quiet and dry and talk about precious things with Peppermint Heaven.</strong></h4>
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<p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span class="s1">EP: What's the Peppermint Heaven story?</span></strong></p>
PH: We started out in the indie music scene in Chicago some years ago, broke up and then eventually wound up in LA and reunited. The band name comes from an obscure pre-Smiths Morrissey song. We released an EP and a single that both made the UK dance chart Top 10. Now we’re releasing our debut album. It’s quite exciting.
<p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span class="s1">EP: Why the 80s?</span></strong></p>
PH: What a great time for music – especially the new wave/alternative sound that came out the UK. Bands like Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, The Cure, New Order and so on have the pop sensibility that really resonates with us.
EP: Do you feel there’s advantages to being a duo as opposed to being in a band or a solo artist? If so, what? Are you a democracy or does one of you rule from the top?
PH: It’s much better being a duo. Peppermint Heaven is definitely a collaboration. 90% of the songs are written together at the same time. The creative process is greatly enhanced when you can bounce ideas off of someone as opposed to working alone. We’re more of a democracy. We both have to love a song to finish it and release it.
EP: What’s the songwriting process like for you?
PH: Usually, Spark comes to the session with a drum track or drum loop. We jam to it until a melody comes and we then work out the song until it’s finished. We work on the lyrics after the melody is finished usually, but many of the final lyrics come from what we sang spontaneously during the initial writing session.
EP: You’ve been in the music biz for a while, what’s your take on where it’s heading?
PH: We’re excited about all of the different avenues to reach new fans through social media. It’s completely changed in the past 20 years. The new vinyl resurgence is a very encouraging sign for music. Music fans still want to own something real and that’s a beautiful thing. The way people buy music is always evolving, so the business needs to evolve as well.
EP: If you could look back on yourselves just starting out, what advice would you have?
PH: We would tell ourselves – “Be patient!” And we have!
EP: Top 3 songs you just can’t get enough of?
PH: This changes all the time. Right now since we’re in an 80s mood – “Ask Me” – The Smiths, “West End Girls” – Pet Shop Boys and “People Are People” – Depeche Mode.
EP: Cats or dogs? Why?
PH: Dogs are the best. Unconditional love of course.
EP: What does the future hold for Peppermint Heaven?
PH: We’ve produced seven animated music videos in support of the new album which directed by London’s very own Pierce G. Wilson and illustrated by Taiwan’s very own Jeremy Zheng. We’re planning a takeover of YouTube with these videos. We have remixes for three of the songs by Seamus Haji, AM2PM and Damon Hess & Deep Matter for the DJs and club music fans.
EP: What question do you wish someone would ask you in an interview but nobody ever does?
PH: Favourite candy, of course. Spark’s is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Juno’s is Lemonheads!
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>‘Precious Things’ is out on January 29. You can find Peppermint Heaven online on <a href="https://twitter.com/pepperminthvn" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/peppermintheaven" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and their <a href="http://www.peppermintheaven.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. Be sure to check out their previous releases on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/peppermint-heaven/id721589505" target="_blank">iTunes</a>.</em></strong></p>
<p>Check out Peppermint Heaven's brand new video, 'Decide 4 Yourself' -</p>
