It’s no secret that the Head and the Heart is the hottest band in Seattle at the moment.
From the lengthy feature story in the Seattle Times, to an appearance at SXSW, to landing the opening slot for Vampire Weekend at the Paramount, it seems like everything is clicking at just the right time for the hard-working sextet. It also seems like just about everyone involved in the local music scene, ranging from club owners to lowly bloggers (yours truly included), is paying very close attention waiting to see what’s next.
If the career arc for the Head and the Heart follows the logical and traditional progression for heavily buzzed unsigned bands, what’s next will likely include a record deal. Reportedly major labels have been courting the band, and rightfully so, but nothing has been announced. So while there are no real indications of where the Head and the Heart will end up, the band’s latest accomplishment might be a small clue about where the group may end up after signing on the dotted line.
Friday it was announced that the group will be special guests at McCaw Hall opening for none other than Wallingford’s own Dave Matthews when he and Tim Reynolds perform two charity shows at the venue Dec. 6 and 7. But that’s not all, the Head and the Heart will also travel to Las Vegas with Dave and Tim for a charity concert in Sin City.
Matthews founded ATO Records, an imprint of RCA, in 200 and its roster houses several artists that fit well with the Head and the Heart’s brand of music. The extra, non-local, show could be an indicator that Dave is acting as the ultimate A&R man for ATO by taking the group on the road with him. Or it could just mean Dave Matthews just really likes the Head and the Heart. Who knows? But you have to admit the Head and the Heart would fit right in at a record label that puts out music by Drive-By Truckers, My Morning Jacket, Ben Kweller, The Whigs and Mike Doughty. Plus, I’d imagine if I were in the Head and the Heart I’d think it’d be pretty cool to have Dave Matthews as my boss.
Regardless of where the Head and the Heart land, it’s nice to see good things happening to them and it’s great to see the local talent get recognized by a national figure like Dave Matthews.
