THE HEAD AND THE HEART
For Those Who Like: Monsters and Men, The Lumineers, Old Crow Medicine Show
For the past decade, the popularity of Americana and indie folk has exploded. With the likes of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and The Lumineers, mainstream radio stations are increasingly playing music that once was restricted to small bars and clubs and the indie music scene. Musicians and bands from around the world are also becoming household names, such as Iceland’s Monsters and Men, the United Kingdom’s Mumford of Sons, and First Aid Kit from Sweden, and they’ve all experienced success on the Top-40 charts and established huge fan bases.
American bands, though, still are captivating audiences and winning over fans, such as The Head and the Heart, the Seattle sextet whose careers skyrocketed in 2011 with the release of their self-titled debut album. From opening for bands like Iron & Wine, My Morning Jacket, Dave Matthews, The Decemberists, The Walkmen, and Death Cab for Cutie to headlining their own shows in marquee venues to performing on “Late Night with David Letterman” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live”, The Head and the Heart have come a long way from performing at open mic nights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvUl1xKAbNA
Their self-titled debut was a hit with fans and critics, such as Paste Magazine naming The Head and the Heart one of the best new bands in 2011. The band, though, hasn’t rested on its laurels, as they continue to tour extensively to promote their work and build their support. Last fall, they released their second full-length, Let’s Be Still, which debuted at #10 on the Billboard chart, further indicative of the growing success and popularity of the band.
While Let’s Be Still maintains many of the trademark sounds of modern Americana – acoustic guitar hooks, the echos of a violin, and rousing choruses such as on the opener “Homecoming Heroes” and “My Friends” – there is a bit of experimentation on some tracks, such as on “Summertime”, which pairs synth textures into a mellow, indie-folk tune.
With the rising popularity, The Head and the Heart could play larger venues, but they’ve opted for smaller, more intimate settings during the current tour. Just last week, the band completed a four-week trip across Europe. Next week, they will commence the final leg of their worldwide tour – an extensive, 2.5-month jaunt through North America. Their first stop – the Nation’s capital! The Head and the Heart will be playing at the Bronson Centre on Thursday, March 27. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster (click here for tickets). Catch this great band in this intimate setting while you still can before they start playing in arenas and headlining major festivals.
After Ottawa, The Head and the Heart will be making stops in Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, and London, Ontario before heading stateside and then back to Canada, which includes sold-out shows in Calgary and Edmonton. Tour dates can be found on the band’s website (or click here).
Their new album is available on iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, and other music providers.
The Head of the Heart comprise of Josiah Johnson (vocals, guitar, percussion); Charity Rose Thielen (vocals, violin, percussion); Jonathan Russell (vocals, guitar, percussion); Tyler Williams (drums); Chris Zasche (bass); and Kenny Hensley (piano/keyboard).
Website – http://www.theheadandtheheart.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theheadandtheheart
Twitter – https://twitter.com/headandtheheart
*Above photo by Dylan Priest. Cover photo provided by Subpop.
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