Indie-pop and roots “might be the starting point for The Hearts, but only in an allusive way, almost as if they decided to reconstruct the genres after hearing about them rather than actually hearing them”(Edmonton Journal). Jeff Stuart and The Hearts are six strong willed yet supportive musicians; a rare breed of players, instinctively bowing to the needs of the songs over their own egos, and letting camaraderie and musical inquisitiveness direct their music down a distinctive and memorable path.
The Hearts’ latest record, Equal Parts Reason and Moonlight, is filling some big shoes in the wake of their debut, Black Dogs Blue Giants, which received significant national acclaim and was credited for “upping the ante for independent Canadian music” (CBC Radio). The Hearts have proven that they are up to one-upping themselves.
In spite of being released with only weeks remaining in the year, Equal Parts Reason and Moonlight claimed a spot on CKUA Radio’s 2011 overall top 100 chart and was ranked #1 on one of the network’s year-end best album lists. The momentum is just beginning as this new music is reaching airwaves across the country and receiving international critical acclaim.
Equal Parts Reason and Moonlight is described as “one of the best albums of 2011, a sweeping, silver-screen mix of ’60s psychedelic pop, folk-rock and atmospheric electronica” (Edmonton Journal), “cinematic/a fully realized album/cleverly crafted and spotlessly executed” (Vue Weekly), and as ”a terrific mix of frugal neo-roots charm, fragile indie rock and memorable songs. It’s not an everyday sound/simply impossible to resist or ignore (Leicester Bangs Magazine, UK). But mostly it leaves you wanting more, more, more!
Also revered as a top live act, Jeff Stuart and The Hearts (Gavin Dunn, Dwayne Martineau, Christopher Quesnel, Michelle Sabourin, and Tim Resaul) deliver
a sophisticated and energetic live show, bringing the songs well beyond a simple restatement of their recordings. They have performed alongside a legion of distinguished artists including Jakob Dylan, Calexico,Van Morrison, John Prine, Levon Helm, Sarah Harmer, and many others. Jeff Stuart and The Hearts are a bright light in the firmament of Canadian music.
“It’s elegant, sophisticated, daring, and brilliantly creative, but more than anything, just as the band’s name suggests, this music is indeed from the heart.” -CKUA Radio Network
