Last Updated on March 26, 2026 by Black Sunshine Media
Aztec Hearts was an alternative-progressive rock “non-band” active 2005–2014, formed in San Francisco, California, and ended in Taipei, Taiwan, based on the songwriting of Christian Adams, an American multi-instrumentalist and sometime vocalist, best known for his work with Chicago-based new progressive art rockers, Golden Tones, and S.F.’s Henry Miller Sextet.
Background
Adams wrote and recorded all songs in his home studio, sometimes enlisting his musician friends to sing or play an instrument on a track or two.
The non-band never played live, but Adams has performed several songs (see Performance).
In spring 2015, Adams decided that Aztec Hears “had run its course,” but never made any official announcement.
Technically, I just stopped using the name. I never stopped writing and recording new material.
– Christian Adams, 2023
Discography
Aztec Hearts’ discography consists of three full-length albums (formerly available on Soundcloud), all of which were marginally self-released.
The first two Aztec Hearts records were recorded in 2005 and 2007, respectively. In 2008, Adams moved to Taiwan and suspended musical activity. Four years later, he began writing the material that would appear on the third and final record, In the Spirit of Almost (2014).
All three records were available for free download on Soundcloud until May 2018, when Adams quietly pulled his entire catalog of music from the internet.
The first two albums, Dying For You To Hear This (2006) and Bigger Brighter Faster Worse (2008) are now available from all the major media services.
Recordings
Dyin’ For You To Hear This (2006)
Conceived as a side project in late 2005, Adams began recording Aztec Hearts’ debut, Dying For You To Hear This, on a digital 8-track. Starting with a handful of songs, Adams expanded his experimental-prog horizons, without the baggage of a real “band.” He played all instruments, with Chris Lanier (Henry Miller Sextet) and Sarah Lovan (Halloween Alaska) contributing to lead and backing vocals.
The writing and recording process spanned 10 months, with Adams attempting to learn violin and re-teaching himself how to play drums. He also traveled to Minneapolis to record Sarah Lovan’s vocals.
The resulting 11-song album was completed in October 2006 and self-released.
I’m still very proud of this record. The way it was made, the way it feels, the songs, the tones…everything about it is genuine and pure.
– Christian Adams, 2023
Bigger Brighter Faster Worse (2008)
In February 2007, Adams began recording the second album, Bigger Brighter Faster Worse, with a slightly revised cast of musicians at his newly dubbed (and upgraded to Pro Tools) home studio. Adams laid basic tracks for upwards of 20 songs. Ex-Henry Miller Sextet drummer Matthew Tucker played on six tracks, while Chris Lanier contributed vocals to five. A previously unknown vocalist from Sacramento named Suzie Smith sang on several tracks.
Adams struggled to complete the project throughout the late months of 2007. Recording came to a halt in March 2008 when Adams announced he was moving to Taiwan. Only half of the songs were finished.
Six months later, during a return visit to S.F., Adams decided to mix whatever was deemed “passable” to form an album.
He considers Bigger Brighter to be both his “most self-destructive act of failure” and a “never-ending work in progress—with no progress for the foreseeable future.”
In the Spirit of Almost (2014)
Following a four-year hiatus, Adams began writing and recording a third full-length album, In the Spirit of Almost, in February 2013. Operating under the manifesto of: One year, one man, one microphone. Adams spent 14 months writing, recording and mixing—and fussing over—this 17-song collection of new material plus two covers and a remix of a previous recording.
The album was released on Soundcloud, briefly, before Adams decided to rescind public access.
It has some good songs that might see the light of day, but as an album… It’s a fucked-up recording of a fucked-up experience. Every now and then I’ll listen to a couple of tracks and think, “Nah, man, nobody needs to hear this.”
– Christian Adams, 2018
Aesthetics, Influences & Legacy
Uncomfortable with the concept of recording as a “solo artist”, Adams chose the band name based on a fascination with pre-Columbian Aztec codices, adding, “There was something about the idea of cutting into somebody’s chest, ripping their heart out, and holding it in your hand while it was still beating… I think it happens to people all the time.”
The foundation of Aztec Hearts owes a huge debt to Adams’ rediscovery of alternate tunings, with more than half of all songs being written or performed in Open G tuning on guitar.
Performance
On June 9, 2012, Adams performed an Aztec Hearts song, “Since I’ve Seen You Smile (aka “☺”) during a one-off solo performance at Bobwundaye, Taipei, Taiwan. A second show took place at Bobwundaye on June 8, 2013. Adams played five Aztec Hearts songs, including “Since I’ve Seen You Smile“, “Fat Ass“, and “Leave the Light On”.
In 2017, Adams performed a six-month Wednesday night residency at Rev-Now in Taipei, during which time “approximately a dozen” AH songs were played at various times.
