The Heroic Enthusiasts covers “Tears Run Rings”

The Heroic Enthusiasts are New York-based a duo formed by accomplished musicians James Tabbi and Thomas Ferrara, whose collaborative journey stems from their shared influences spanning Brit pop, new wave, and post punk. Alongside their readily apparent creative synergy, their diverse educational backgrounds has also fuelled their musical trajectory. With Tabbi’s studies in computational mathematics and Ferrara’s in mathematical statistics, their sonic output embodies a unique intersection of art and science.

Their partnership began following celebrated solo endeavours and together, they’ve made a name for themselves as The Heroic Enthusiasts while working with Meridian/ECR Music Group. Since their debut EP, titled Memory Wheel, in 2016, their collaborations with legendary producer Stephen Hague, known for his work with iconic artists such as New Order, Erasure and Pet Shop Boys, have consistently won over fans and tastemakers around the world.

Now they bring us their latest release, a cover of one half of Soft Cell Marc Almond’s “Tears Run Rings,” a work that reveals their ability to reinvent classic tracks while preserving their timeless essence. In their cover of “Tears Run Rings,” The Heroic Enthusiasts breathe new life into a beloved 1988 classic.

Their interpretation captures the heart and soul of the original song while infusing it with their unique sonic offering. With their cover of “Tears Run Rings,” the duo serves up a stunning synth pop sound full of pulsing rhythms from the lively drum beat, vibrant synth tones and delicate guitar flourishes, all capped by their rich vocal leads.

Capturing all the silky melodic writing and sonic charm of the original, The Heroic Enthusiasts inject a punchy energy to the song and drag it into the 21st century in dazzling fashion. It’s a superb example of their ability to re-imagine a song filtered through their own sonic lens while retaining all the delightful aesthetic of the original.

Commenting on the context for choosing to cover “Tears Run Rings,” lead singer James shares, “When Soft Cell’s Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret came out in 1981 we were innocent young lads. We started hearing ‘Tainted Love’ and ‘Where Did Our Love Go’ in all the clubs, at different times, in different cities.”

Guitarist Thomas Ferrara offers, “It was a magical awakening––a whole fresh and beautiful world opened up for us in lyrics, instrumentation, and production.”

Listen to Tears Run Rings below