Signs & Wonders: Hearts On Fire Ignite Again

Signs & Wonders: Hearts On Fire Ignite Again

After seven years of silence, melodic rockers Hearts On Fire have returned with their powerful new album Signs & Wonders, released earlier this year on Pride & Joy Music. Featuring the soaring vocals of Mark Boals, the masterful production and bass work of Dennis Ward, the superb keyboard work of Eric Ragno. and the unmistakable chemistry of founding members Jean Funes (guitars) and Joel Mejía (drums), the record has already been hailed as a bold step forward for the band.

And now, fans have even more reason to celebrate: the vinyl edition of Signs & Wonders has just arrived, giving listeners the chance to experience the album’s depth and energy in classic analog form. In this exclusive conversation, Jean and Joel open up about the making of the record, the themes that inspired it, and what lies ahead for Hearts On Fire.

We’re here with two members of Hearts On Fire. First of all, introduce yourselves and tell me what you do in the band. Let’s start with you, Jean.
Jean: I’m Jean Funes. I’m the songwriter and guitar player for the band.

Joel: My name is Joel. I’m the drummer, and I also worked closely with Jean to bring his compositions to life.

Let’s talk about the new album, Signs & Wonders. Is there an overall story or concept behind the title?
Jean: Well, kind of. It’s not a concept album, but it was written with recurring themes in mind — things like end times, prophecies, and events we believe are unfolding in the world right now. We wanted to reflect some of that in certain songs. That said, the album isn’t solely about those ideas. Each track explores different aspects of life and personal experiences. It’s a very reflective record, and each song develops in its own way. Still, tracks like World Torn in Two, Eleventh Hour, Signs in the Sky, and even the intro Blood Moon carry that sense of urgency about the state of the world.

Mark Boals is absolutely amazing, and this project feels like something he might not normally do. I expected vocal acrobatics from him, but he sounds incredible here. How did Mark become involved?
Jean: Mark has always been one of my top five favorite vocalists. It’s incredible that we were able to reach out and work with him. After our debut album, the band was inactive for seven years, and during that time I kept thinking about finding a new singer. Richard, our original vocalist, is a great friend, but he had commitments with his band and label, so he couldn’t continue with us. Then I heard Mark singing in Atlantis Drive last year — a melodic rock project — and I thought, “I love this voice, I have to try contacting him.” Luckily, he liked the music and agreed to join us. We’re honored to have him on the record. He did an amazing job, and the chemistry in the songs is perfect.

Joel: At first, I wasn’t sure if he would respond or if he’d be the right fit. But as we started developing the songs, everything came together stronger and better with each track. By the end, I was amazed at the results. Honestly, this feels like the best version of us compared to the first album, and I’m very happy with how it turned out.

Another addition to the band is Eric Ragno, who’s based here in Los Angeles. How did Eric become involved with Hearts On Fire?
Jean: We first worked with Eric on the debut album — he played keyboards as a guest. For Signs & Wonders, I wanted to recapture the same sound and feeling, so I reached out to him again. We’d stayed in touch over the years, and when I asked, he immediately said yes. This time, he wanted to be a full member rather than just a guest. His contributions fit perfectly with the songs — no pressure, no difficulty, everything clicked right away. I’m amazed at how naturally it all came together.

Eric is absolutely amazing. He’s a member of Khymera, and you also have another Khymera member on this album — Dennis Ward. What was it like working with Dennis, and how did that come about?
Joel: At first it was a challenge. He’s a very talented musician with far more experience than us in the industry. On the first album, there were things we had to correct, but this time he really helped us reach the best version of Hearts On Fire. He played bass and handled the production, which elevated everything. We listened carefully to his advice and recommendations, and tried to shape the album the way he envisioned it for the world.

Jean: I first contacted Dennis for the debut album. Originally, I was planning to work with Erik Martensson, but he was too busy with touring and other commitments. So I reached out to Dennis, and he did a fantastic job mixing and mastering. For this second album, I wanted the same formula and the same people involved. I wrote to him again, but had to wait a couple of months because he was busy working on the Helloween album. Once he was available, though, everything moved quickly. He has that melodic rock sound in him, and it just flowed. I also love his bass playing — it adds so much.

One lyric that really stands out to me is “I’m not wired to the collective mind.” Talk about that song.
Jean: Collective Mind is a song I really love. It’s a bit different for us. It’s about not feeling part of the mindset of the world — when people think or act in ways that don’t align with our principles. It’s like saying, “I’m not wired to that. I don’t live by those values. I have something else inside me.” It’s an attitude song, about existing here but not being part of that collective mindset. And the conviction Mark brought to the vocals is perfect — the way he sings it really says it all.

You’ve got a new single coming out from the album called Restless Heart. Tell me about the inspiration behind it.
Jean: Restless Heart is about the spark inside a musician — that constant drive to create. It’s about inspiration, about having that fire within you no matter where you are. Sometimes you wake up with a melody in your head, sometimes you’re in the car singing an idea — it never stops. The heart doesn’t rest; it’s always creating. Songwriting doesn’t just come from the mind, it comes from the heart too. That’s what the song is about: the endless fire to keep making music.

Jean, you’ve got a killer lineup with Hearts On Fire right now. Have you considered playing live with this lineup, or is that something you’d like to do in the future?
Jean: Absolutely. We talk about it all the time and we want to make it happen. But there are things we need to arrange first — everyone’s schedules, timing, and visas. We have tourist visas for the U.S., but not work visas, so that has to be sorted out. We’re working on it, definitely.

Joel: It just takes time. A long time.

Joel, you’re in Hearts On Fire and also in Silent Tiger, Jean’s other band. What other projects are you involved with right now?
Joel: Right now, it’s just Silent Tiger and Hearts On Fire. In the past, I played in other bands here in Honduras, but it’s hard to keep them going because there isn’t as much interest in live bands here compared to the U.S. or other countries. Most of my recording career has been with Jean — starting in 2012 with Codigo Eterno, then Hearts On Fire in 2017, Silent Tiger in 2019, and continuing until today. I’m happy focusing on these two projects because I also have a young child, and I just finished my law degree, so that’s plenty on my plate.

Looking back on the first Hearts On Fire Call of Destiny album, what do you think of it now in retrospect?
I love that album. I still listen to it from time to time, and it was a very magical, inspired period when we made it. The songs developed naturally, and it received a lot of attention back then, which made us very happy. I think this new album is more mature, with deeper lyrics and themes, but I still love the debut. It was spontaneous and full of energy. That’s why the band is called Hearts On Fire — we were burning with hunger to make music, to record an album, and to work with Dennis Ward and Eric Ragno. This second album feels like a step forward, a progression from the first.

Joel: I remember I was on a drumming hiatus when Jean reached out for the first album. I hadn’t played drums for about a year and a half, so it reignited a flame in me. It was something very different from what we’d done before, and looking back, it’s been a huge development. I wasn’t very experienced in recording or composing then, but now it feels like second nature. Working with Jean has been magical — you discover what you can achieve with the right partner.

What’s currently going on with Silent Tiger? Is there any new music on the horizon?
Jean: We released Twist of Fate two years ago. Right now, we’re very focused on Hearts On Fire, so there isn’t new Silent Tiger music in the immediate future. Of course, we’re always thinking about new material, and I’m sure there will be more someday. But for me, writing songs takes time. I don’t like to just throw notes together — I need a vision, a guide. With Signs & Wonders, I had the title in my head from the start, and that set the mood and direction of the album. It was the same with Twist of Fate and Silent Tiger. I need that kind of inspiration before I can begin writing.

With Silent Tiger, you worked with another amazing vocalist, David Cagle.
Joel: He’s amazing!

Jean: It was a pleasure working with him. He’s very experienced in recording, and his ability to create harmonies and vocal parts everywhere is incredible. He’s truly amazing. We became friends through that project, and I hope we can collaborate again sometime soon.

What do you think of his other band, LastWorld?
Jean: LastWorld has a very different style, but it suits David perfectly. I’ve heard some of their songs, and he fits right in. He’s very professional, and I really like it.

Joel: David can be whatever you need him to be on any album. He’s a seasoned singer, so whatever you ask of him, he can deliver.

What’s next for Hearts On Fire? You have a new album about to come out.
Jean: Yes, we love what we’re doing, but we also want to bring it to the stage. Playing live is something we’re working toward, though it’s not entirely in our control — there are logistical challenges. In the meantime, we’re going to promote this album heavily. We’re planning a vinyl release and doing everything we can to make sure the music is heard, because we’re very proud of it.

Do you have any messages for melodic rock fans who are reading this interview?
Jean: I hope you can connect with our music and with this album, because it was created with a lot of inspiration and heart. The songs are very real, personal, and true to us. We want the music to reach your heart — not just your mind or ears. Maybe a song will relate to you, give you courage, joy, or hope. That’s what we want: to leave a positive impression. Music touches people’s lives, and we hope ours does the same.

Joel: For me, I want to thank everyone who takes an interest in what we’re doing. As musicians, you want to be heard, and when people connect with the messages in our songs, send us feedback, and play our music, it means a lot. We’re inspired by the faithfulness of the AOR community. So thank you — and thank you for this interview as well. We hope you enjoy what you hear when the album comes out.

Closing Thoughts

With Signs & Wonders, Hearts On Fire have reignited their flame, delivering a record that blends urgency, reflection, and melodic power. From the chemistry with Mark Boals to the seasoned touch of Dennis Ward and Eric Ragno, the band has crafted an album that feels both timeless and fresh.

And now, with the vinyl edition finally available, fans can experience the music in its purest form — the warmth, depth, and analog magic that perfectly suits the band’s sound. Whether you’ve been following Hearts On Fire since their debut or you’re discovering them for the first time, Signs & Wonders is proof that their passion burns brighter than ever.

(Interview by Ken Morton)

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