Expressing Yourself With SPRUCE From HZED

Interview by Kris PetersHZED is a powerhouse riff-driven rock band hailing from Melbourne, Australia, known for their high-octane energy and authentic, rock drenched sound. The band’s current lineup features vocalist Tenaye, guitarist Spruce, drummer Sam, and members Hannah and Piddo.Musically, HZED is defined by raw, "in-your-face" rock anthems. Their songwriting process often begins with a riff or track idea from Spruce, which is then passed to Tenaye to develop lyrics and a  vibe. This collaborative approach has resulted in standout tracks like No Colour and the hard-hitting single Heartbreaker.Following the release of Rising Up Above in March, HZED today release their new single Say Whatcha Want. Produced by Rusty Brown (of the legendary Electric Mary), the track is a masterclass in short and punchy rock and roll. To turn the heat up even further, HZED recruited Aussie rock icon Dave Leslie (Baby Animals) to lend his signature searing guitar work to the track, creating a high-octane collaboration that demands to be heard at maximum volume.HEAVY caught up with Spruce ahead of the release to find out more."This one's a bit heavier and faster than what we've done before," he began, "and a bit more in your face. It's a bit more punk rock as well. We had Dave Leslie jump on board and do some guitar work on there for us as well, and Rusty (Electric Mary) produced it as usual so it's pumping."In the full interview we discussed musical and production details for the new song. Spruce described the single as heavier, faster, and more punk-influenced, noting guest guitarist Dave Leslie’s contribution, and credited producer Rusty Brown for mentoring and improving their songs since 2021. He confirmed two immediate single-launch shows on May 2 in Collingwood and May 8 in Frankston, with ticket links available via their socials and Linktree. Spruce also outlined plans for an EP and two additional releases around October and the end of the year, plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.