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THE HEAD AND THE HEART


BIO:
So many decisions in life and in the music we love can come down to a critical tug between the logic in our heads and the hot red blood beating through our hearts. Seattle’s The Head and the Heart live authentically in that crux, finding joy and beauty wedged there. Their music pulses effervescently—both explosively danceable and intuitively intelligent. With Americana roots and strong vocal harmonics that swell like a river, this band finds its anchor in solid songwriting that has even the jaded humming along by the second listen. Leaving a variety of day jobs and academic pursuits, The Head and the Heart came together in the summer of 2009, during frequent visits to the open mic night at Conor Byrne in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. California-transplant Josiah Johnson and Virginia-native Jonathan Russell formed the core songwriting partnership, quickly adding keyboardist Kenny Hensley to the mix. Kenny, then 21, had packed up his piano and moved up to Seattle from California to pursue musical score-writing. The luminous Charity Rose Thielen, violin and vocals, had just returned from a year of studying and playing music in Paris. Drummer Tyler Williams cold left a successful band in Virginia after Jon sent him the demo of “Down in the Valley,” relocating across states to be a part of this. Finally, Chris Zasche, was bartending at Conor Byrne and mentioned one day that he'd be happy to play bass for the nascent band. It all felt right: The Head and the Heart was born. Whether penning songs on the beach at Seattle's Discovery Park, or working out melodies in the piano practice rooms at the Seattle Public Library, Charity describes the early months of the band's existence as touched by a shared purpose and connection. She recalls an email she sent to Josiah that summer, confessing that she was “sleepless and penniless, but inspired nonetheless.” The band entered Seattle's Studio Litho in early 2010 to record these songs that had been kicking and twisting in the catalytic development of their live show. Recorded by Shawn Simmons at Studio Litho and Steven Aguilar at Bearhead Studio, the band was selling burned copies in handmade denim sleeves at local shows within a few weeks. Self-released in June 2010, the debut album helped build an impressive head-of-steam for the band through the second 1/2 of the year, gaining fans at influential Seattle station KEXP, local record shops (a consistent top 10 seller for Easy Street and the #1 album of 2010 at Sonic Boom), and venues up and down the West Coast, culminating with signing to Sub Pop Records in November. For the 2011 re-release of the album, "Sounds like Hallelujah" has been re-recorded, live favorite "Rivers and Roads" has been added, and the album has been re-mastered. The songs resulting from those first inspired months pick at the multicolored threads of leaving home, finding home, and through that process of deconstruction, finding yourself. These are songs about crossing rivers and roads to get to the one you love, about family far away, and the desire to chase Technicolor dreams down foreign horizons. When people hear these songs, or see the band live, the first thing they have to do is tell someone else. Their shows are, simply, one hell of a lot of breathless fun. Each song explodes into a potent supernova on stage, where half the audience is zealously singing along with every lyric, and the other half is wishing they knew the words. The band has accepted nearly every show offered to them in the past year, from backyards strung with Christmas lights to coffee shops, open mics, and even high school classrooms in Middle America. From the first months of the band's life, their reputation as a phenomenal live band has preceded them wherever they play. The strength of Josiah, Jon and Charity's vocal harmonies on the album makes it feel like these three were born to pour their voices together, as the band's songs revel in jaunty bass lines with ebullient handclaps peppering the best moments. A palette of orchestral elements weave their way through the album, including cello, glockenspiel, and violin, all shading in the songs' development. For all the times your toes tap while enjoying this band, often the lightness will deceptively belie the depth of ache in the lyrics when you sit down to really listen. There is magic in the music, but not magic contrived by trickery or posturing. “It seems actually that the more genuine and honest we are in the songwriting and performing, the more people relate to that transparency,” Charity muses. This is an album for people who unabashedly sing and drum along on the steering wheel, and also for those who appreciate a well-crafted collection of songs that build into something wholly beautiful. There is in this music a counter-cultural optimism, with roots that grow deep and melodies that lodge themselves far into that place inside you where the head meets the heart.

Latest Articles


The Head and The Heart Return With New Single 'Arrow' Photo The Head and The Heart Return With New Single 'Arrow'
by Josh Sharpe - October 17, 2024

Beloved group The Head and The Heart return with their new single, “Arrow.' The single, which the band produced themselves, finds them returning to their early indie folk roots. Get a first listen to the new track. ...

iHeartRadio's 2025 ALTer EGO Lineup Will Include Cage The Elephant & More Photo iHeartRadio's 2025 ALTer EGO Lineup Will Include Cage The Elephant & More
by Josh Sharpe - October 15, 2024

The eighth annual iHeartRadio ALTer EGO will include the biggest names in Alternative Rock like Cage The Elephant, Fontaines D.C., Glass Animals, Incubus, St. Vincent, The Head And The Heart, The Lumineers, The Offspring and a special performance from Damiano David....

The Revivalists Kick Off Spooky Season With New Single, 'Zombie (Wild Coming Out)' Photo The Revivalists Kick Off Spooky Season With New Single, 'Zombie (Wild Coming Out)'
by Josh Sharpe - September 20, 2024

RIAA multi-Platinum certified rock band The Revivalists are celebrating the start of spooky season with their brand new single, “Zombie (Wild Coming Out),” available now. ...

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Release New Album 'Strangers No More Volume Two' Photo Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Release New Album 'Strangers No More Volume Two'
by Josh Sharpe - September 12, 2024

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors have released their new album Strangers No More Volume Two. The LP was recorded during the band’s Strangers No More album sessions in Asheville, NC when they recorded 21 songs over a two-week period, ultimately splitting them into two releases....

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Release Slow Jam Single 'Easy Together' Photo Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Release Slow Jam Single 'Easy Together'
by Josh Sharpe - August 22, 2024

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors bring you a slow jam with their latest single “Easy Together.' The song features soulful melodies and emotional lyrics and follows last month’s Southern scorcher “Burn” featuring Ellie Holcomb....

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by Josh Sharpe - August 20, 2024

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by Josh Sharpe - June 14, 2024

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Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Release Cover of Adele's 'When We Were Young (Live)' Photo Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Release Cover of Adele's 'When We Were Young (Live)'
by Josh Sharpe - June 13, 2024

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Phosphorescent Extends Headlining Tour With Fall Dates for New LP 'Revelator' Photo Phosphorescent Extends Headlining Tour With Fall Dates for New LP 'Revelator'
by Josh Sharpe - May 28, 2024

The band's fall headlining tour will kick off on September 13 at Metro in Chicago, and run through an October 9 finale at Los Angeles' El Rey Theatre. Throughout the run, they'll come to many cities for the first time since releasing Revelator - including Toronto (The Great Hall), Washington DC (9:3...

The Decemberists Release New Single 'Oh No!' Off New Album 'As It Ever Was, So It Wil Photo The Decemberists Release New Single 'Oh No!' Off New Album 'As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again'
by Josh Sharpe - May 15, 2024

The Decemberists have released a new single, “Oh No!” The track, which appears on their forthcoming new album is chock full of The Decemberists most defining characteristics - vibrant storytelling, rich musicality and a cleverness that’s become signature to Meloy’s lyricism. Listen to the single!...

Miya Folick Supports Mitski in London Next Week; Will Tour With The Japanese House Th Photo Miya Folick Supports Mitski in London Next Week; Will Tour With The Japanese House This Summer
by Josh Sharpe - May 02, 2024

Miya Folick has announced that she will support UK artist The Japanese House on select dates this summer. Next week, she will join Mitski as the special guest support for five sold-out shows including four nights at the Eventim Apollo in London, and will headline the Lafayette on May 12th while in t...

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Release 'Soul's A Camera' Photo Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Release 'Soul's A Camera'
by Josh Sharpe - May 02, 2024

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The Head And The Heart to Embark on Summer Headlining Tour Photo The Head And The Heart to Embark on Summer Headlining Tour
by Josh Sharpe - April 23, 2024

The Head And The Heart have announced a headlining run of summer North American dates, beginning July 20 in West Des Moines, IA., and concluding August 20 in Moorehead, MN. Included in the run are appearances at such festivals as Day In Day Out in the group’s Seattle homebase and Minnesota Yacht Clu...

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Take Their Turn At Southern Rock With 'Suffering' Photo Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Take Their Turn At Southern Rock With 'Suffering'
by Michael Major - March 20, 2024

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors explore Southern Rock with their latest release 'Suffering'. Dive into their unique take on the genre in this new track. The single comes just two weeks ahead of the band's US headline tour that hits most every major city throughout the US, kicking off on April 3rd in Le...

The Decemberists Drop 'Joan In The Garden' From New Album 'As It Ever Was, So It Will Photo The Decemberists Drop 'Joan In The Garden' From New Album 'As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again'
by Michael Major - March 19, 2024

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Luke Combs' Bootleggers Bonfire Sells Out; Waitlist Open Now Photo Luke Combs' Bootleggers Bonfire Sells Out; Waitlist Open Now
by Michael Major - March 19, 2024

Join Luke Combs for an immersive music vacation at Miramar Beach, Florida, presented by Topeka. His debut Bootleggers Bonfire, scheduled for October 10-12, is sold out but a waitlist is open. The event provides a special give back opportunity for Teachers, First Responders and Military members....

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by Blair Ingenthron - February 25, 2024

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Rett Madison Announces 2024 U.S. Headline Tour Dates Photo Rett Madison Announces 2024 U.S. Headline Tour Dates
by Michael Major - February 07, 2024

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by Michael Major - February 06, 2024

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by Michael Major - January 09, 2024

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