Meet Hero Talbot

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hero Talbot.

Hi Hero, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My entire life has always been filled with music and art, my parents have been an actor their entire life helped create an environment in which creativity was prioritized while growing up. Despite my always having turned to songwriting, it becomes more of a passion when COVID hit.

It was November of 2020 when my dad gave me one of his old guitars and said he would get rid of it if I didn’t want it. At the time I already had a guitar: It was a cheap little kid one my parents had given me. It was great for when I was in fifth grade but had grown small and unused the older I became. However, when I held my dad’s guitar for the first time, it was like knocking down that first domino: the pieces began to fall into place.

I chose to keep the guitar, naming it Dallas, and immediately began doing what I have always done: I began creating. I wrote song after song, so many more started than finished, but I was writing. I hadn’t had such a jolt of inspiration for three years at least. It was like the lyrics were writing themselves, stories of unknown pasts coming to life through my guitar and voice.

I kept writing furiously until I wrote one song titled “Satanic Saints,” and then my frantic creative fury was put to a halt. My life-changing piece sat in front of me in blue light, ones, and zeros on a glass screen. Yet those lyrics and chords created a life in my head: walking through an overgrown white cathedral in a dark, green forest. It was a sanctuary in the middle of the hectic, an eye of a hurricane. It was me.

I knew when I wrote “Satanic Saints” it had to be more than just a simple song I sang to myself in my bedroom. I think that was the moment I knew I wanted to pursue music seriously. So I reached out to my rock band teacher from middle school, Phil Jones, who helped me produce that song, along with many more to come. “Satanic Saints,” however, sat as a fully produced and mastered audio file on my computer for almost a year until I chose to release it on January 14, 2022.

And that was the beginning!

After that, I kept writing, only more furiously this time. During the summer of 2022, I spent a great chunk of it writing and recording what would eventually become my first EP, “Butterscotch,” which I released in October of 2022. Almost immediately after that release, I began working on the next, and still am, which brings us to today, where I’m currently working on recording enough songs to release an album with sometime this year.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say it has been a smooth road, as most of my struggles are internal. One thing I rarely hear talked about among musicians, and other artists trying to make a career out of their work, is the fear that comes with it. For, I know it was terrifying to put myself out there for the first time. It is incredibly vulnerable to pour your heart into something that the world can judge with only a passing glance.

That being said, I have gotten better at reframing my focus on myself and those whose opinions matter to me. I get such unconditional support from my family and friends, which means the world to me. I also think of all the strangers who have shown enough interest in my work to add it to playlists, or comment on my Youtube videos, or even just follow me on Instagram.

Most importantly, though, I think about little me, little five-year-old me, wishing to grow up and be a rockstar. She would be so happy to hear about what I’ve done. So I keep doing it for her, for us, for the livelihood of my soul, and the blood pumping through my heart.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a singer/songwriter/musician who writes about the romance and magic found in day-to-day life. I want to make the little moments and emotions feel sacred, which is what I try to capture with my music and lyrics. I also am constantly trying to push myself into trying different genres, I believe no two of the songs I have released, or have unreleased, sound the same.

While making them sound differently is one thing, the challenge for me personally is changing my writing style to fit the genre, but writing lyrics is my favorite part of what I do! There is just something so satisfying about piecing together the right words for the message of the song, it’s like my own little puzzle, and there is nothing better when two perfectly fit! I would say what I’m most proud of is my song “Speaking of Courage.” I wrote it back when my grandmother first passed away and I was dealing with the grief that was left in her absence.

While I enjoyed the song when it was just me playing on the piano, when Phil Jones helped me flesh it out by adding the electric guitar, brass instruments, and more, it came to life. The somber sound of it mixed with the lyrics created the emotions I was feeling but could not dictate. It came out beautifully and is my favorite song from the entire EP.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
This is difficult because I know personally that I struggle with putting myself out there, but I believe the biggest thing is to rely on who you already know and trust. Phil Jones was a teacher I had in 8th grade, but all it took was reaching out and asking if he’d be interested in working together which allowed me to being releasing music.

I also feel that just involving yourself with the community more can help greatly. This allows you to not only get a general vibe for the scene, but also meet people to collaborate with, people who can help you navigate the work, and even just friends to have a solid base and go back to. I know that for musicians specifically, places like Lost Lake, along with the Indie 102.3 monthly Local 303 meetup, both have many Colorado bands and people within music who are great to get to know!

More than all of this, though, I think the biggest thing is to remember you have absolutely nothing to lose. Keep putting yourself out there, and keep meeting people. If someone doesn’t like you, no worries, you never have to see them again if you don’t want, but don’t let them stop you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.herotalbot.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herotalbot_/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@herotalbotmusic
• Other: https://linktr.ee/h.talbot__

Image Credits
Emily Kaminsky