Three years ago Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan, otherwise known as Karmin, developed a following after they began uploading videos on YouTube of them singing the hottest songs on the charts. Soon after, their single "Brokenhearted" went Top 20, and it seemed there was no stopping Karmin. However, they've yet to put out a full-length album. But the wait is finally over! The album titled Pulses has arrived, and Karmin is ready to prove to their critics that they aren't a novelty act. Candidly, though, they admit that still don't feel like they've made it.
"We're still trying to get away from a lot of the stereotypes," Nick said.
Amy added, "We haven't arrived yet. I think our aspirations are so large."
What is it that they want?
Amy, who took some classes in marking at Berklee College of Music, cleverly responded, "We want it all!," which just happens to be the name of their latest single.
During a nine-hour journey on their tour bus from Billings, Mont. to Seattle, the partners in both life and music revealed some secrets about their relationship, discussed their music and teased about Nick going shirtless.
Dustin Fitzharris: I'm sure you're sick of this question, but I have to ask -- are you two ever going to get married?
Nick Noonan: Yes, it's something we're going to do. At this point we're probably just going to elope.
Amy Heidemann: We want Kayne to come and perform at our wedding.
Dustin: A non-traditional wedding! Amy, what is the most romantic thing Nick has ever done?
Nick: Don't answer that!
Amy: Let's see... oh, man, that's hard to answer.
Nick: Oh, God, Amy!
Amy: I would say when he proposed. I've never seen him so nervous in my life.
Dustin: Nick, has Amy done anything romantic for you?
Nick: Absolutely not. Of course. It's more day to day kind of stuff. If we're both exhausted, she'll call in food or make dinner for us.
Amy: We take care of each other.
Nick: She'll rub my shoulders. Stuff like that.
Dustin: Since you're always together, how do you keep the relationship fresh?
Nick: We read a lot of self-help books. We try to have as much communication with each other as possible and be as real with each other as possible. Also, not always talking about Karmin.
Amy: It is a blessing to have somebody to talk to, but it can become overwhelming when you're constantly together.
Dustin: Is it hard to turn off all the talk about Karmin?
Nick: Yes, but with the album coming out--
Amy: And the music videos--
Nick: It's hard not have conversations about Karmin.
Dustin: Let's talk about your music. Your first album is finally coming out. What took so long?
Nick: You are telling us, man. It's been a labor of love.
Amy: We've been working on it for over a year. This is pretty much the best songs we've come up with over the last year. We're extremely proud of it, and we can't wait for everyone to hear it.
Dustin: You've called the album harder and more aggressive. Are you trying to convey something new?
Nick: So far I think we've been portrayed as super bubble gum and super happy-go-lucky. That's not really the case. Not that we aren't positive and upbeat, but we're adults. We're 27, and we do adult activities. We go out and have a couple of drinks here and there or several. We'll go party some times.
Amy: We called the album Pulses because when we first got signed it was very happy-go-lucky. Then we found out that there are lows to life. We try to be as honest as possible.
Dustin: What have been the low points?
Amy: There was a period in our relationship where we felt it may be better if we weren't together all the time. That was confusing.
Nick: There's been a lot of head-butting with LA Reid [CEO of Epic Records].
Amy: Yes, with our label we felt like we were being put into a box. We were being told this was what we need to do to be marketable and successful, and we realized it wasn't what we wanted at all. It was tough. We were trying to re-brand and revision everything and keep our relationship in tact.
Dustin: Has that been successful?
Amy: We'll find out.
Dustin: I don't want to say the first single off the album, "Acapella," wasn't successful, but it didn't do as well as 'Brokenhearted." What were your thoughts on that? Did it concern you?
Nick: We knew going into it that this was one of those songs that would go no where or would go number one for weeks. The song did go gold, which is pretty remarkable for the amount of exposure it got. We're proud of that. It did what it needed to do.
Amy: When we are performing it and people are screaming the words back at us. It's pretty crazy how far it spread without necessarily getting to the top 10 or whatever you want to call it.
Dustin: Let's turn the attention to Nick now. The website Pop Culture Gay named you one of the sexiest men of 2013.
Nick: No, I was not. Are you serious?
Dustin: Yes! You didn't see it?
Nick: What number was I? I better be top 10! [Nick came in at 28]
Dustin: What do you think about that?
Nick: That is amazing. I honestly didn't know. It's very cool and humbling.
Dustin: But the site was a little disappointed they couldn't find any shirtless photos. What is that about?
Nick: We may or may not have a video coming out within the next month or so where I'm shirtless.
Dustin: Such a tease! You guys toured with the Jonas Brothers. Might we get a selfie like Nick Jonas' famous picture?
Nick: I just don't want to put him to shame.
Amy: Not possible. Not possible. He looked so good in that picture.
Nick: Whatever.
Dustin: You've been taking your music on the road. What can people expect when they come to see you?
Nick: We want people to say, "Why did it take me so long to see them" and "That was so much better live than on the album." We feel very comfortable playing live.
Amy: It's our favorite part of the job, for sure.
Pulses is available March 25. For more information, visit www.karminmusic.com