Casino Hearts

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Recently I was able to connect with Alt Rock band, Casino Hearts, to discuss their recent cover song of an MTV Unplugged: Nirvana classic, “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For a Sunbeam”. In this brief interview, I asked the band members about what drew them to putting their spin on this cover song, plus more about the tribute album. If you’re enjoying their cover version, please consider supporting Casino Hearts here.

What drew you to this tribute project for Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in New York? Can you share any personal connection you have to this iconic album or to Nirvana’s music in general?

Jacob Rubek: Over and over again throughout my life I get reminded that Nirvana is one of the greatest bands to ever do it. Not only did they make rippers but they also showed light on their influences and artists to look out for. They were never gatekeepers and that selflessness always resonated. Even just having the Meat Puppets performing with them is incredible to watch cause they’re a whole other vibe.

Nicholas Minor: When learning to play as a kid, Nirvana is pretty inevitable. I think my dad showed me the unplugged set. I was very obsessed with the Bowie cover. Pretty sure learning these was the first time I’d ever taken a guitar out of standard tuning. I was young & maybe was too focused on the heaviness, or the novelty of the distorted guitars in ‘regular’ Nirvana records. Once that was gone it was really revealing and I feel like it gave me a very different appreciation.

Nirvana’s Unplugged session is known for its raw, vulnerable energy. How did you approach reinterpreting such a beloved track?

Nicholas Minor: Early on we had a rough picture of where we could take the song. Forest brought in some field recordings and that felt ‘natural’ we kind of started having conversations about campfire songs or whatever that would look like for us. With ‘Jesus’ being a cover of a cover it seemed important to consider the Vaselines version as well.

What did you want to capture from the original while still putting your own spin on it?

Nicholas Minor: Acoustic guitar seemed like an obvious place to build from – which is a little uncommon for us. From there it was kind of like an experiment to bring that into the spaces that we feel good in.

What drew you to “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For A Sunbeam”?

Forest Holter: I grew up as a little gay kid so I never got into Nirvana but I was really drawn to the lyrics of this song. Transitioning from being a church kid to completely rejecting Christianity was part of my growth as a person and traces of it spill into the songs I make with Nick and Jacob. It felt right for us to cover this one.

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