The folk-rock trio known as the Heavy
Hearts have released their long-awaited debut LP record, “Keep Your
Light On.” The album comprises 13 original tracks, making for a
comprehensive introduction to this much-talked-about group from
Birmingham, AL. Heralding the arrival of their album is the official
Heavy Hearts “Into the Fire” video, already available, filmed in
Birmingham’s historic Lyric Theatre (link provided below).
Soul-searching, sonorous and soaked in pain and perseverance in equal
parts, “Keep Your Light On” by the Heavy Hearts represents both a
definitive example of contemporary folk music and the continuing
tradition of American songwriting.
The Heavy Hearts cite as main artistic
influences Fleetwood Mac, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, the Civil
Wars, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Lady Antebellum, Johnny Cash,
and Bruce Springsteen. The resulting sound is based on the striking,
clarion vocals of frontwoman Lauren-Michael Sellers, and equally on
the rock-toned guitar work of Zac Baldwin. Providing contrast,
texture, and cement-solid percussion is Brian Hippensteel, the band's
latest addition. Their style is a blend of blues and folk music
tinged with alternative rock sensibilities which appeals to fans of
pop, rock, country, blues, and folk music alike.
The band has enjoyed a remarkable burst
of exposure and popularity in recent months, at least partially from
their reputation as a passionate, powerful group of musicians whose
music tends toward the sorrowful. Their band name, the Heavy Hearts,
is no accident.
“A lot of the songs Lauren wrote are
about very sad and personal experiences,” says Hippensteel, “but
there is always hope and light at the end of it all. The theme of
'Keep Your Light On' is to shine through the darkness.”
Their official bio states that “the
band refuses to leave their listeners without a chance to realize
that hardships refine a person, not define them.”
Sellers herself writes, “We want
people to know that just because our band is called the Heavy Hearts,
we don’t want our fans to leave feeling helpless. We are optimistic
and trying to find peace. We don’t want to be depressing and only
concern ourselves with things that are sad or morbid.”
The LP is intended as an anthem of
hope, in fact.
“The album is this theme of a
lighthouse shining light in the darkness,” Hippensteel told Mary
Colurso for AL.com.
Morbid or not, the success of both
their “Into the Fire” video and recent record release party
cannot be ignored. These musicians are pulling the heartstrings of
music fans all across the nation. With the publication of “Keep
Your Light On,” their already burgeoning and loyal fan base can
only grow worldwide.
“Keep Your Light On” by the Heavy
Hearts will be available online worldwide late May/early June 2014.
Get in early.
-S. McCauley
Staff Press Release Writer
“Into the Fire” official video –
"Keep Your Light On" at
eMusic –
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