Meet Erik Hartenstein

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erik Hartenstein. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Erik, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

As a musician, I feel that my sense of purpose is very similar to many others. When I was about 5 years old my parents took me to my first concert at Stubb’s BBQ in Austin. I was sitting on my dad’s shoulders watching Cheap Trick perform, and was locked in through the whole show. It was in that moment that I knew I wanted to perform and play music for a living, just as I saw happen that night.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

In the music world of people that play in bands all over the globe, there’s always a difference of ones that are the weekend warriors that enjoy just playing music as a hobby at the local bars around town. Then there are the ones that have the drive to try and go the distance and get their art (music) on the main stage. As for me, I’m the latter. I got to experience being on stage in front of people in my high school band with my closest friends and I remember those moments being the best I’ve ever experienced up to that point. As a child, I always loved being the center of attention so it wasn’t ever difficult to get passed any stage fright. As we grew older, the band split and we all when our different adult ways with jobs and things like that. Then, about 15 years later, I got a message from my same drummer from back in that day asking if I wanted to join up in his new band as the bass player. All those memories of playing music came rushing back and without even a second thought I said yes. Even without playing music for over a decade, I plugged in and it felt like I never stopped. For the next few years I couldn’t have been happier. Even my wife told me how much happier I was playing music again. It felt like I found myself again. Not only playing around town like last time, but now also regionally and out of state. After a few years, our vocalist at the time dropped out and the band needed a vocalist. So now we were at a crossroads. We could either be down for 6 months to a year finding a vocalist and bringing them up to speed, or I could put down the bass, step up and do it myself since I know the songs anyway. After just 3 weeks to figure out how to make a now 3 piece band sound as big as we did as a 4 piece, we played our first show with me as the new official vocalist. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous and full of anxiety because it felt like I was learning a new instrument again. After a few shows, I was able to find my comfortability again. And, thanks to figuring out how to properly program a multi-effects pedal, our guitarist has a split signal for guitar and bass to keep the sound full. We also have my recorded bass in our backing tracks for moments when there’s a guitar solo to help maintain that full sound. We figured that we will eventually find a new bass player, but we are totally content for now if it takes longer to find one. So as the current vocalist for the metal band Apex Fallen, I honestly couldn’t be happier with where I am in life right now. The other guys and I have pushed through more than we ever have and we’re finally getting the traction that we’ve been after for so long. We have our music out on all streaming platforms, along with music videos on YouTube. On March 1st, 2025 we released the first song we myself on vocals called Hive Mind. We are definitely on all social platforms, but what’s even cooler in my mind is that we have our own band website (apexfallen.com) where we post about our upcoming shows and have some of our merch for sale on it as well. On top of that, we’re now getting offered supporting slots for touring bands that we look up to such as recently opening for Yosemite In Black, Crown Magnetar, and Traitors on their tour. In my eyes, it’s only getting better from here.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

One quality in particular that I think is most important for anyone that wants to be a performing musician…is you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Being up on a stage with everyone looking at you can make you feel extremely nervous. Stage fright is real and can have you feeling like everyone is judging you, but the only passed it is to push right through it. Sometimes your art isn’t going to connect with people, but sometimes it will, and that is the start of your own fan-base. And all it took was you pushing through your set from start to finish.

Another quality that is very useful, is being able to talk to people. If audience members liked your stuff then they’re going to want to come over and talk to you. This is how you network and can get more opportunities in the future. Even if you aren’t necessarily an extrovert, you kind of have to be in that moment.

The last quality that is almost a “must-have” these days, is being consistent with having an online presence. Gone are the days of just playing your music and by “word of mouth” things start happening for you. Not saying it can’t happen, but it is a lot harder if you aren’t consistently pushing out good quality online content for people to absorb. Your online presence is so vital to your success as an artist/band. If you are struggling to come up with good quality content ideas, then look at what’s been working for others and find a way to apply it to your brand.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me is probably telling me that I shouldn’t waste my time trying to make it as a musician because “so many of them don’t make it”. At times, it kind of feels like I’m pushing through it in spite of them. However, I still feel like I would be doing this regardless of their input. And after seeing my dad tirelessly work for others that stepped over him despite how good he was at his job, I know I would be much happier being an artist/musician than stressing out year after year over 401Ks, or whether my retirement plan is going to be stripped out from under me because of corporate greed. Currently I work in construction and I know I’m a good fit for that world if Apex Fallen never fully breaks out, but life is too short to not spend my years pushing something that brings me this much joy. These memories and experiences that I’m making is something that no one can ever take from me, and I know for a fact that would be much happier down the line than to be only be left with “what-ifs”.

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Image Credits

James Wiseman with Fervent Void

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