From Safe Haven to Sanctuary — Austin Darkwavers Urban Heat Serve Up New Single “Seven Safe Places”

Life throws curveballs faster than a major league pitcher in the ninth inning, and Urban Heat’s latest single, Seven Safe Places, catches every one with grace.  In this track, the Austin-based band spins the tale of lovers darting from one hideout to another, never quite escaping the looming threat that snaps at their heels. It’s a musical game of hide and seek, where the stakes are nothing less than finding peace of mind in a society that often seems on the brink of collapse.

Seven Safe Places is a melodic post-punk tune that explores the ups and downs of seeking a little tranquility in the chaos of modern life. With this offering, Urban Heat is stepping up its game, blending Jonathan Horstmann’s rich, distinctive vocals with sharp-as-a-tack poetry and a beat that could make any wallflower bloom.

With a wink and a nod, Seven Safe Places sees Horstmann serve up a dose of playful melancholy. His knack for turning brooding introspection into catchy hooks is on full display here, proving that you can indeed dance your sorrow away — for at least a moment of respite until the music ends.

“The song is about uncertainty and loss, and how each day of the week we have another opportunity to find a fleeting safety,” says Horstmann. “I imagined a pair of star-crossed lovers on the run, and each day they find a place to hide out that gets compromised and they find themselves looking for the next. Life is like that sometimes. We can’t take any of our safe places for granted because there’s no telling how long they will exist.”

So, crank up the volume and let Urban Heat remind you that while safe havens might be fleeting, great tunes are forever.

Listen to “Seven Safe Places” below:

In just five short years, Urban Heat has blazed a trail across the darkwave scene. At the helm is Jonathan Horstmann, a singer and multi-instrumentalist whose melodic baritone could charm the socks off a snake, together with the thumping backbone provided by Kevin Naquin and Paxel Foley.

Last year, Urban Heat cranked up the heat to broil, captivating large crowds at Cruel World and Darker Waves. Back on their home turf, they’ve become the darlings of SXSW and even strutted their stuff on the prestigious stages of Austin City Limits Festival.

Now, as they strap in to drop their second full-length album, The Tower, it’s clear the band is climbing to dizzying new heights. So, buckle up, because Urban Heat is ready to take you on a wild ride with “The Tower.” And if their track record is anything to go by, it’s going to be one hell of a show.

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