The Head and The Heart are an Indie folk/rock band that formed in the summer of ‘09. It is pretty safe to say that they have become one of my most beloved bands, and potentially my absolute favorite. Their music has had such an effect on my life and there are numerous reasons why I have become such a fanatic. Here, I will explain the most significant ones.
1. They have a cool story
The band consist of 6 members: Josiah Johnson and Jonathan Russell (vocals, guitar, percussion), Chris Zasche (bass), Kenny Hensley (piano), Tyler Williams (drums), and of course the token woman, Charity Rose Thielen (violin, banjo, vocals). All of them came from different walks of life but the magic really happened when they all met each other in Seattle; each ready to pour their hearts into the music profession. Charity, Kenny, Josiah, and Jon all went to Seattle to pursue graduate school. Jon invited Tyler to join as they had previously been together in a band out of Richmond, VA. They lastly invited Chris to join, who was a bartender in the city. They got along easily and after a few open mic nights and selling their album in handmade denim pouches, their career soared.
2. The variety of voices and instruments sound beautiful
Each song has so much stimulation to the ear, making you realize why music is so incredible. Every band member has a unique voice but together it is as if they go fit like a puzzle piece. With the men's voices and then the complement of Charity’s female chords, a beautiful melody is created. Same goes for how many instruments are incorporated into every song. From percussion, to guitar, to violin- each brought into the song seamlessly.
3. They bridge the music interest gap
My friends will tell me that my taste in music is “weird” all the time. What I love so much about The Head and The Heart is that they are able to appeal to a wide variety of audiences. Of course people that enjoy indie folk (like me) are obsessed with them, but I can play their albums to people who perhaps like pop, country, or even rap, and it will leave them asking, “who is that by?” The Head and The Heart can do all of this whilst not becoming “main stream” which is so remarkable to me.
4. Their lyrics are mesmerising
The Head and The Heart actually write all of their songs which is not so easy to come across nowadays. In an interview, Drummer Tyler Williams explains that “They will bring pieces of songs, melodies or lyrics, not a whole song, usually. And we will all flesh them out together as a group. Maybe we will change a lyric here and there, maybe we will change a melody. It is a very democratic process. We all have our say in which direction the song goes.” Their band is truly authentic and collective. I am constantly blown away at how intelligent and mature the songwriting is. The lyrics are extremely versatile, meaning they can be interpreted in so many ways by the listener. One of their most famous songs "Rivers and Roads" is lyrical genius and an absolute must-listen.
So are you wondering why they are called The Head and The Heart? Well, the band coined this name because it encompasses the reasons for their success and how they came to be.
"Your head is telling you to be stable and find a good job, you know in your heart that this [the band] is what you're supposed to do even if it's crazy."
Is that not the coolest thing ever? *boom* you’re a groupie.
