Heartbreak are surely destined for big things. Lead singer Sebastien Muravchik is a one-time Argentinean soap star (REALLY!) who looks like a cross between Freddy Mercury and Tony Montana. The other member of the group, producer Ali Renault, dresses like he just stepped out of a Task Force gig - a look which somehow seems totally at odds with his dramatic Vangelis synths. They went to an exhibition on laughing at the Hayward Gallery with Emily.

I like laughing. I like laughing a lot. So when Don’t Panic sent me down to the Laughing in a Foreign Language exhibition at the Hayward gallery I was hoping for some side splitting. Meeting me there was Sebastian and Ali from the ominously named band Heartbreak. They are a bit of an odd couple. Sebastian in a smart shirt and cardigan with a cowboy bow at the collar and a smart little moustache. Ali is in a hoody and trainers… an odd couple.


Hmmm...

The first crack was produced by the PR woman who met us in the foyer. Wiggling her finger at the boys she said:
“Don’t break her heart now boys.”
Then
“I can’t believe I just said that.”
Nor could we.
The exhibition explored different humour from 30 artists from around the world; this is done in the form of contemporary art.

Me: “So do you know any good jokes?”
They both stop and have a think.
Ali: “I can’t think of any.”
Sebastian: “I don’t like jokes, there’s too much pressure. Spontaneous laughter is much more my thing.”


"Look there's your hairbrush!"

I found the beginning of the exhibition hard to fathom. Instead of finding it funny it just made me feel a bit stupid. Luckily as we went from room to room it got much better. We wandered through admiring prints and installations. I went ahead and pushed a curtain open into a dark room off the main exhibition, it was pitch black and you couldn’t see anything. As I turned the corner I let out a pathetic little scream, before me was a hairy man belly dancing with much gusto. Hearing my screams the boys came running through.

Ali: “Emily, it’s alright it’s just a projection, see?”
He held his had up to the image to prove that he wasn’t real. I felt completely ridiculous, but saw the funny side.


Heartbreak catch all the tears of the women whose hearts they break in white mugs and then drink them at a ceremony around a teak dining table

Another piece I found amusing was a talking cardboard box. As you can see it was the less politically driven art which I appreciated.
After the exhibition we took a stroll down the Southbank.
Me: “So what kind of music are you guys into?”
Sebastian: “We are really into techno and metal.”
Me: “Isn’t that quite a strange mix?”
Ali: “Actually quite a few people are fans of both. They have a lot of the same riffs and the same kinds of emotion come through.”
Sebastian: “They show the same sort of theatrical energy.”
We potter into a riverside café and order some much needed hot drinks. Although the skies were blue it was bitterly cold.
Me: “So have you guys broken many hearts?”
Ali: “One or two.”
Sebastian: “The necessary amount.”
He smiles knowingly.
Ali: “It’s not good to get labelled a heartbreaker.”
Me: “Why do you think girls go for boys with that kind of reputation? Do you think the idea that they may be able to change someone overrides common sense?”
Ali: “I think it’s the mothering instinct coming through. Even the most intelligent woman can’t help but want to nurture a troubled soul.”
Me: “So have you ever had your heart broken?”
Ali: “Once or twice.”
With a cheeky grin Sebastian asks, “What about you?”
“Oh you know, just the necessary amount.”

I have to point out that I did cheat slightly this date and actually saw them live at Barfly the week before. Their set is startlingly energetic. It is a mix of electro and power pop, Ali on the keyboard and Sebastian the captivating front man. This is not a duo to miss live. Check them out.