Smile Politely

Count to five: The Head and The Heart

Unless you’ve been living in a cave lately, you’ve probably seen the advertisements for Pygmalion Music Festival’s Spring Show Series. It’s a great little collection of concerts to fill the early year musical void in C-U and a welcome distraction from the dreary March weather.

The first band in the series, The Head and The Heart, are a sextet from Seattle whose folk styling is the perfect way to brighten up the first Monday in March. Here are five reasons why you should be at their Canopy Club show Monday night.

1. They come highly recommended – You don’t just have to take word for it that these guys are worth seeing, because many outlets have gone to the trouble already. The Head and The Heart made NPR’s list of the best folk albums of 2011; they were one of Paste’s Best New Bands last year; and Mother Jones’ readers also picked them among the best albums from 2011. But don’t just take critics’ and fans’ word…

2. They have played with some of the best bands currently touring – In their few years as a group The Head and The Heart have been asked to open for countless bands — many of whom are among the biggest groups on the road. Bands like Vampire Weekend, The Walkmen, Dr. Dog, Dave Matthews, The Low Anthem, The Decemberists, Iron & Wine, My Morning Jacket, and Death Cab for Cutie have all featured the folk stylings of The Head and The Heart before their performances. Of course, the band has done pretty well on its own as well…

3. They have taken part in many top festivals – As their debut album raced off store shelves The Head and The Heart gathered many more fans and many more invitations to perform at huge festivals. Last year they played Bonnaroo and Newport Folk, among others. So far this year, they’ve already committed to Coachella, Sasquatch, Newport Folk (again), and many others. The stage is not the only place you can find them though…

4. They might be that band you saw on late night and loved – The Head and The Heart have been featured on LettermanConan, and Jimmy Fallon’s show. If that is not enough…

5. Their live show is very highly reviewed – The most frequent word used in many reviews of The Head and The Heart’s live show is “fun.” These guys go out each night and put on a really fun show. Beats Per Minute explained it like this:

The Head And The Heart seem like the kind of band that is going to keep doing what they do, regardless of what the cynics say. From the chatter that could be heard after their foot-stompin’, hand-clappin’, sing-along set on Monday night, they are doing a lot of things right. Not only are they having fun, but their audience sure is, too.

If that ringing endorsement isn’t enough to make you want to come see them, I don’t know what it will take, but here: read this, and this and stop being so cranky.

The Head and The Heart perform with Drew Grow & The Pastors’ Wives and Black Girls tonight, March 5th at 9 p.m. at Canopy Club.

 

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