ʻAbsence makes the heart grow fonderʼ, so the saying goes. Itʼs a point most duly noted
by The Heartbreaks. Comprising equal parts romance, passion and burning intellect, the
hotly-tipped Manchester band are on a singular mission to remind the world just what
guitar-pop has been missing for so long.
Make no mistake, The Heartbreaks provide whatʼs missing in spades. From the passion
and poise of their live shows to the simmering pop brilliance of their recent debut single
ʻLiar, My Dearʼ (described by The Independent as “an achingly beautiful debut”), itʼs no
surprise that The Heartbreaks have been touted as one of 2010ʼs most promising – not
to mention vital – new British guitar acts.
Since first emerging from Manchester last year, the indie four-piece, all in their early
twenties, have stolen hearts and set pulses racing with their determinedly romantic take
on British pop culture. Think the northern pathos and humour of Alan Bennettʼs Talking
Heads; the combustible energy of Elvis Costello & The Attractions; the spectral wonder
of Johnny Marrʼs finest guitar riffs; and most of all, think the irresistible pop brio of every
great Postcard Records release ever.
Put simply, if you care at all about life-affirming pop music, then The Heartbreaks are a
band youʼre clearly already head over heels in love with.
“Weʼve always loved pop bands who make you belong,” begins The Heartbreaks
drummer and principal songwriter Joseph Kondras. “The most important bands have that
effect – where they create this world and language that their fans can feel part of. Great
music can nurture that sense of belonging. Thatʼs what The Heartbreaks are all about –
creating this little universe, where nothing else matters. Finding kindred spirits.”
Although now based in Manchester, The Heartbreaks owe their romantic outlook to their
former home Morecambe, the once-thriving seaside town in Lancashire.
All four members of the group – drummer and main songwriter Joseph, vocalist Matthew
Whitehouse, guitarist Ryan Wallace, and bassist Deakin – were born and raised in
Morecambe, and have witnessed its slow transition from charming seaside resort into a
town hit by social and economic ruination.
Yet, befitting a town that has appeared in two very contrasting surveys recently – one for
the ʻFifty Worst Towns To Live In The UKʼ, and the other for ʻThe Most Beautiful Sunsets
on the Planetʼ – Morecambe is also blessed with a quaint romantic duality.
“Morecambe totally sums up the spirit of this band,” explains singer Matthew
Whitehouse. “Thereʼs a romance to small seaside towns like Morecambe which is just so
essentially British. Thereʼs a sort of faded grandeur to it; itʼs tacky and itʼs tragic, yet at
the same time, thereʼs a real beauty to it. That mix of beauty and melancholy is at the
core of all our songs.”
The Heartbreaksʼ first single ʻLiar, My Dearʼ, released earlier this year, was a perfect
statement of such romantic longing, boasting such bittersweet lyrics as: “The rainfall in
Morecambe embitters me / it fucks my hair and stings my cheeks.”
The real trump card though, arrives in the shape of The Heartbreaksʼs second single ʻI
Didnʼt Think It Would Hurt To Think Of Youʼ, a track certain to nudge them ever closer
towards the poetic pop summit. From that fantastic song title upwards, there is much to
admire in its all-too-brief three-and-a-half minutes: multiple hooks and choruses,
beautifully wrought lyricism (“I was a boy but I wonʼt be soon / the consequences of the
things we do, will be felt long after we are young”), and singer Matthewʼs mournful croon,
a voice that captures the precarious mid-point between romantic rapture and the
almighty love hangover that arrives soon after. Most of all though, youʼll be struck by the
overriding feeling that, in the hands of The Heartbreaks, British guitar pop clearly still has
the capacity to thrill and inspire pure devotion.
With many big names already seduced by their charms – fans include Johnny Marr and
DJ Steve Lamacq, whilst the group bagged the Manchester Evening Newsʼs Best New
Band of 2009 Award – and after recent support slots with bands including Pains Of
Being Pure At Heart and Hurts, The Heartbreaks are all set to woo the rest of the nation
with their imperious pop brilliance.
“We want to create something that lasts,” concludes Joseph boldly. “Weʼre living in this
culture where new bands come along, make a so-so record and you never hear of them
again. Thatʼs not what The Heartbreaks are about. We want to make a stronger, longerlasting
connection – with songs that stand the test of time and completely intoxicate
you.”
Surely all thatʼs left to do now is let go and surrender ourselves. Despite their choice of
name, these northern pop romantics have no intention of breaking our hearts – they just
want to make them swell with love.
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