Mapping the Future: The Heroic Enthusiasts Illuminate with 'Clear'

The Heroic Enthusiasts have quickly risen in the ranks of modern indie music in the vibrant New York music scene. Their latest single ‘Clear’ is a stunning mix of New Wave sensibilities and cutting edge indie rock, and their first track to be produced by Stephen Hague, who has worked with the likes of Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, New Order and more.

With their third release from the forthcoming *Illuminate* album, The Heroic Enthusiasts deliver their signature sound in the form of James Tabbi and Thomas Ferrara. Themes of adventure and destiny blend together to weave a classic road trip narrative that inspired the track. Tabbi says it is like the romance of ‘opening an old school paper map and driving all night with a new love’ while Ferrara calls it a ‘call to live each day fully.’

The singles ‘All I Want’ and ‘Wake Me When It’s Over’ have already seen them garner over 600,000 streams, with a growing global following to build on. This shows that their evolution from critically acclaimed EPs to their current work has been a consistent commitment to pushing creative boundaries, yet in the truest sense of synth pop.

Since *Illuminate* will be out in April 2025, ‘Clear’ is a great tease for the future of this groundbreaking pair and hint of where they’re headed with their rising alternative careers.

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“Clear” is an intriguing title. What’s the story or emotional landscape behind this single?

“Clear” is about that feeling of being absolutely, undeniably hooked on someone, even when you know red flags are waving in front of you. It’s that push and pull between your head and your heart.

The song captures the intense rush of that initial “blinded infatuation,” as the lyrics say, where you’re willing to ignore the warning signs and just go with the flow, wherever it takes you, surrendering to the moment, even if it’s a bit reckless.

Can you walk us through the creative journey of developing this track? What inspired its conception?

The journey of “Clear” started with a simple spark—a driving drum and bass sequence and the lyrics and melody of the chorus, “I wanna make it clear, I’m not giving up!” which felt undeniably catchy and energetic. We were in the studio when Stephen Hague, our production partner, brought us these song seeds, and we were all immediately drawn to the infectious energy.

From there, the lyrics started to flow, inspired by conversations about those relationships where you’re completely swept off your feet, even when logic tells you to proceed cautiously. We’ve all been there, right? That feeling of being drawn to someone like a moth to a flame, even if you know you might get burned.

We wanted to capture that tension in the song, the internal struggle between desire and reason. The lyrics about maps, streets, and avenues are metaphors for navigating this confusing emotional terrain. At the same time, the “warning light on the dashboard” represents those nagging doubts you try to ignore.

Stephen’s input was invaluable in shaping the song’s structure and dynamics. He has a knack for creating soaring, anthemic moments that perfectly complement the emotional intensity of the lyrics. He helped us craft a soundscape that mirrored the story’s push and pull.

How does “Clear” represent your current musical evolution or artistic direction?

“Clear” represents an exciting step in our musical evolution. We’ve always been drawn to crafting emotionally resonant pop music with a bit of an edge, and this song embodies that.

While we’ve always had a pop sensibility, “Clear” leans further into that realm. The song is catchy, with a chorus designed to get stuck in your head. We’re not afraid to embrace those earworm melodies and infectious hooks, but we always strive to do it in a way that feels authentic to our sound and vision.

Overall, “Clear” feels like a culmination of everything we’ve been working towards as a band. It’s an emotionally resonant and sonically captivating song, representing a significant step forward in our artistic journey. We’re incredibly proud of it and excited to see where this new chapter takes us.

The band name “The Heroic Enthusiasts” is quite unique. How does this identity reflect in the music and specifically in this new single?

You’re right; “The Heroic Enthusiasts” is definitely a unique name! It’s inspired by a 16th-century poem by the philosopher Giordano Bruno called “The Heroic Frenzies.” The poem explores themes of love, passion, and the pursuit of knowledge, all of which resonate with us as artists.

Ultimately, “The Heroic Enthusiasts” is more than just a band name; it reflects our core values and artistic aspirations. We strive to create intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging music that celebrates the human experience in all its messy glory. “Clear” is a perfect example of that, blending passion, vulnerability, and a touch of romantic idealism.

Ultimately, “The Heroic Enthusiasts” is more than just a band name; it reflects our core values and artistic aspirations.

Were there any particular challenges or breakthrough moments during the recording of “Clear”?

Ah, you’re digging deep into the creative process! You’re right; there were some challenges and breakthrough moments during the recording of “Clear.”

One of the biggest hurdles we faced was finding the right vocal “answer-back” hook for the chorus. We knew we wanted something anthemic and memorable that would complement the music’s soaring melody and driving energy. We tried all sorts of different phrases and melodies, but nothing seemed quite to click.

Then, we had this spontaneous moment in the studio where we were just throwing out random ideas, almost like a stream of consciousness. Then James just blurted out, “Dead or Alive!” in this nearly defiant tone, and it instantly felt right. He may have listened to “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” early that day.

It was one of those magical moments where everything just fell into place. The phrase perfectly captured the reckless abandon and sense of inevitability we were trying to convey in the song. It added this extra layer of intensity and drama to the chorus, becoming a defining element of the track.

Another challenge was finding the right balance of guitar, electronic, and organic elements in the production. We wanted to create an expansive and intimate soundscape with swirling synths, melodic guitar lines, and driving rhythms, but also with moments of raw emotion and vulnerability. Stephen Hague was instrumental in helping us achieve that balance. He has a knack for blending electronic and acoustic sounds in a modern and timeless way.

Can you describe the musical and emotional atmosphere you aimed to create with this track?

With “Clear,” we aimed to create a musical and emotional atmosphere that was both exhilarating and unsettling, mirroring the intoxicating rush and inherent risk of surrendering to intense attraction.

How does this single differ from your previous musical releases?

While we’ve always collaborated within the band and with our producers, “Clear” represents a deeper level of co-creation, with Stephen Hague joining us as co-writer and co-producer. His influence is evident in the song’s structure, sonic landscape, and overall polish. This collaborative spirit brought a fresh perspective and helped us elevate our songwriting.

We’ve always loved experimenting with sound, but “Clear” showcases a more intense and darker sonic palette. The production is rich and layered, emphasizing atmospheric textures and dynamic shifts. Stephen Hague’s influence partly influenced this evolution, reflecting our growth as musicians.

What genre or musical influences are you exploring in “Clear”?

“Clear” is a melting pot of influences, reflecting our diverse tastes and the overall evolution of our sound. New Wave and Synth-Pop are core elements of our sound, and “Clear” definitely draws inspiration from new wave pioneers like Depeche Mode. You can hear it in the pulsating synths, the driving basslines, and the overall mood of dark romanticism.

We’ve always admired Depeche Mode’s ability to blend electronic textures with emotionally resonant songwriting, which we strive for in our music. Bands like INXS were a significant influence on us growing up. Their blend of rock energy, pop sensibility, and soulful vocals informs our songwriting approach.

In “Clear,” you can hear that influence in the driving rhythms, the anthemic chorus, and the raw emotion in the vocals. We are also drawn to the darker, more experimental sounds of Nine Inch Nails, a band we deeply respect. While “Clear” isn’t a full-on industrial track, there are subtle hints of that influence in the song’s darker undertones, distorted textures, and overall sense of tension and release.

Were there any collaborations or special contributions from other musicians in bringing this single to life?

“Clear” was a collaborative effort between The Heroic Enthusiasts and Stephen Hague. We played many instruments, with Stephan adding a few sonic elements to the mix in the production phase.

Beyond that direct contribution, we also want to acknowledge the ongoing support of our fantastic team at Meridian/ECR Music Group and The Orchard/Sony. They’ve been incredibly supportive throughout the process, providing visionary guidance and complete creative freedom.

For listeners who might be discovering your music through this track, how would you describe the essence of “Clear”?

If “Clear” is your first taste of The Heroic Enthusiasts, imagine driving down a dark highway at night, the road stretching ahead like an endless ribbon. There’s a sense of excitement, of anticipation, but also a hint of danger.

You’re unsure where you’re going but are fully committed to the journey. The vocals are raw and emotive, expressing desire, vulnerability, and reckless abandon. There’s a sense of urgency, of something important hanging in the balance. That’s the essence of “Clear:” It would be a journey you would be pleased you decided to take.

What do you hope listeners will feel or experience when they hear the song for the first time?

We hope that first-time listeners of “Clear” will feel a connection to their emotions: This song is meant to be felt in your body and your mind. We hope it makes you want to dance, drive fast with the windows down, or just let loose and express yourself.

Can you share any behind-the-scenes insights into the songwriting or production process of this single?

It might surprise you that Stephen Hague provided the initial spark for “Clear.” He presented us with this captivating musical idea—a driving bassline and a pulsating synth melody that immediately grabbed our attention. It was one of those moments when you just knew you’d stumbled upon something special.

From there, we collaborated with Stephen to develop the lyrics, instrumentation, and melody. We delved into conversations about those relationships where you throw caution to the wind and dive headfirst into the unknown despite the potential risks. The lyrics about maps, streets, and warning lights emerged as metaphors for navigating the uncertain terrain of love and desire. The Heroic guitar lines, sometimes doubled with synth sounds, were written and evolved to support the melodies and set up the song’s sought-after emotions.

As mentioned earlier, the “Dead or Alive” backing vocals in the chorus were a happy accident. We experimented with different vocal ideas, and that phrase spontaneously emerged. It perfectly captured the reckless abandon and sense of inevitability that we were going for.

Overall, creating “Clear” was a genuinely collaborative and organic process. It was a testament to the magic that can happen when like-minded people come together with a shared vision and a willingness to experiment and take risks. We’re incredibly proud of how it turned out, and we hope these behind-the-scenes insights give you a deeper appreciation for the journey of bringing this song to life.