Pittsburgh-based band King Blue Heron released their Salvation Sound EP earlier this year, produced by Billy Mannino, who has worked with the likes of Oso Oso, Macseal, and Prince Daddy & the Hyena.
“We were so in love with the results,” said vocalist and guitarist Emily Hardenberger. “We actually just got back from recording more songs with him. He made those tracks really sparkle.”
The band spent a week in New York City with Mannino, where they worked on new material. “Working in the studio with Billy Mannino is the most exciting and surreal thing we’ve done for sure,” Hardenberger continued. “It was such an amazing experience. We’re all huge fans of his work, so it was amazing to record with him and get his feedback on our songs. Plus, he’s just an awesome person.”
The Salvation Sound EP features two tracks: the title song and “Veritas,” both part of a larger conceptual story about a nun who falls in love with another woman. “The story is fictional, but it’s heavily influenced by my real-life experiences as a gay person growing up in the Catholic church,” Hardenberger explained.
In an interview with TribLive, Hardenberger shared more about King Blue Heron:
| Band Members | Emily Hardenberger (vocals/guitar), Bailey Willetts (guitar), Seth Berkin (bass), Lucas DiBlasi (drums) |
|---|---|
| Band Origin | The band formed in 2022 when Emily and Seth started playing together, later adding Lucas and Bailey. |
| Band Name Origin | The name came from an art piece of a blue heron with a crown, seen at a show Lucas was playing. |
| For Fans of | Horse Jumper of Love, Big Thief, Wednesday |
| Influences | Turnover, Citizen, Big Thief, Slowdive, Death Cab for Cutie |
Upcoming Release: Ora Et Labora single (2024), Allegheny River single (2024), Salvation Sound EP (May 2025).
Next Show: December 13 at Haven with Ethan Beck & the Charlie Browns, Tilt Contrls.