Heterogene

Heterogene conveys a conscience of diversity and distinction. Heterogene’s frontman, Ryan Holiday, was raised in Heidelberg, Germany, the son of aWhite German secretary and a Black American Sergeant. At seventeen, he moved to the US, eventually finding his way to NYC. In 1999, Heterogene drummer Aaron Potocny and Holiday founded the cult band In Between Blue. Heterogene now also features the multifaceted talents of future guitar legend Rich Sarnicola, who began his musical career in a ska/dub band. Bassist Chris Newman, a childhood friend of Potocny, provides a solid backbone with impeccable precision and graceful intuition.

Musically, Heterogene’s members are just as eclectic. With roots in new wave, electro, space rock, prog rock and ambient, the musicians exhibit a respect for variety and adventure. From trumpets to a Roland jp8000, if it sounds good, it’s used. “We found an untuned piano on the side of the street,” says Aaron, “we set up a couple of mics around it and recorded a song” (the opening song for the upcoming CD). Their new album Life’s Fantastic When You’re Plastic, produced by John Seymour (U2, Dave Matthews), shows a melodic eclecticism that proves experimental music doesn’t have to be pasty and pretentious.

As you can tell, this isn’t another run-of-the-mill band story. They didn’t grow up together, playing music in their garage. They didn’t magically get signed out of high school. Hell, they didn’t even speak the same language. Separated by years and continents, Heterogene is defined through this series of aberrations, by all their different parts working together.