HEARTSTEEL Lets Us Peek into their Hearts
We get to learn more about Riot Games' newest musical project, and find out about the band members and their personalities from this interview with GQ Korea. We come to learn that Sett and K'Sante are both the co-leaders of this music project and how the band came to be.
K’sante and I are co-leaders... It was a big challenge for both of us because it was our first time creating something with complete initiative.
- Sett
Following multiple musical undertakings, K'Sante had seemed lost and overwhelmed during his solo career, but luckily his gym buddy Sett was able to convince him to build HEARTSTEEL from the ground up. After having been kicked out of a band, Kayn had come across the co-leaders of the band, seemingly further emphasizing Kayn's bad boy dynamic within the group. Sett met Ezreal at a difficult time for both of them, as they quickly bonded over drinks and their shared fate as musicians.
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It turned out that Ezreal had just been fired from his agency and was on his way out. We went for a drink to share our sad feelings. We talked for quite a while and became friends through that.
- Sett
Their rather reserved producer, Yone, shared that he had worked as a DJ and producer in Japan prior to joining the band. Due to Aphelios' tragic backstory of needing to have his vocal chords nodules surgically removed, his twin sister, Alune speaks instead of him in order to preserve what little of his vocal chords remain. Aphelios shares that only he had paid interest to Yone's music and that Sett had found out about the duo due to them uploading their performances on social media.
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Musical Influences and Contemporaries
In the interview, they shared what inspired them to create music while also showing us their love of fashion as they were allowed total freedom in sharing their accessories and style for the music video for 'PARANOIA'. The members truly wish to express themselves as freely as possible to further emphasize the importance of being yourself and inspiring fans to reach new peaks in their lives as well.
Our fans! There is nothing more important than the hearts of fans.
- Ezreal
The band members list some of their musical inspirations to be Beyoncé, Linkin Park, BROCKHAMPTON, Troye Sivan, Baekhyun, Toby Lu, ØZI, and many more giving way to a colorful and packed to the brim of amazing influences ranging from multiple genres and scenes.
They were also asked about their contemporaries in the from of K/DA, Pentakill and True Damage, to which the band stated they have much to learn and prove, but they do acknowledge their wonderful work and passion for music.
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The Meaning Behind HEARTSTEEL
The rockstars took time to also explain what the band name means for them, with some answers ranging from heartfelt and emotional to goofy and precise ones.
It has two meanings. What's important is that our group is the sum of opposites, end to end.
- K'Sante
As one of the co-leaders, K'Sante really resonated with the name as for him it symbolizes not only growth as an individual, but also as a form of sharing experiences with those that suround you.
The human heart is soft and emotional, but it is also resilient. Just like the word ‘HEARTSTEEL’.
- Aphelios
Aphelios being poignant and sentimental, he always manages to pull on our heartstrings and provide even more depth to the already amazing name of the band.
Oh, I thought you were just stealing people's hearts. Something like ‘HEART STEAL’.
- Ezreal
In tune with his character, Ezreal seems to be taking the name very lightheartedly, offering some comic relief and personality to the entourage.
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Plans for the Future
This show is just getting started for HEARTSTEEL as they are actively working on releasing new music and also possibly playing live during the League of Legends World Championship 2023. They shared that they have a dedicated Discord server where they exchange ideas, jokes and everything surrounding their life as a band, by stating that they mostly communicate online due to living in different countries.
The band takes advantage of the digital landscape by fusing it with their music and aesthetics bringing about a modern take on boy bands as they wish to further elevate the idea that they are not boys, but men in regard to their plans for musical success. Despite having a laid back feel to them, do not understimate how much more they can bring to the table and prove to the world that HEARTSTEEL is here to stay.
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