Quotes
One of the truly outstanding groups of the week [at Folk Unlocked Conference 2021] was The Heart Collectors, a Celtic-influenced ‘epic folk’ band”. John Platt, New Folk Initiative Blog
“Don’t miss this sensational Internationally acclaimed Act! It has been our pleasure to host them at Tamar Valley Folk Festival 21. Beautiful music , Beautiful people. Great feedback”. Chris Atwell, Director of Tamar Valley Folk Festival
“The delicate interlace of string instruments – Reuben Loire on guitar, Tristan Dafoe on mandolin and banjo, Mobius Barnaby on cello — in this Australian folk rock outfit underscores ethereal lead singing from Kymrie Henge and beautiful vocal harmonies from all. Though the band has been compared to numerous contemporary Americana groups its roots seem to lie more directly in the classic 1960s British folk rock epitomized by the likes of Fairport Convention, Pentangle and Steeleye Span. Like those musicians the members of The Heart Collectors are as interested in American folk rock songwriters as much as they are in their own traditional folk melodies. They are particularly adept at covers of Joni Mitchell, whose “Woodstock” and “The River” are both in their repertoire. The band’s single “One” is an inspiring anthem for world unity and peace in troubled times. – John Swenson, writer for Offbeat Magazine (previously Rolling Stone Magazine)
“Imagine Fleetwood Mac with more of an organic, Celtic-inflected lilt of vocals and melody and you have a rough idea of why Australia Heart Collectors are so instantly appealing. There is a vibrant and timeless allure to their music that is resistant to the fashion of the moment, and all the more enduring because of it. Kymrie’s voice is the stuff angel’s wings are made of.” John T Davis, author of ‘Austin City Limits: ’25 Years Of American Music’
The Heart Collectors are a four piece 'epic folk' quartet featuring banjo, mandolin, acoustic & electric guitar, cello, bodhran (Irish hand drum), piano, percussion, and four part harmony vocals. Described by John T Davis - author of ’25 Years Of American Music’ as sounding like “Fleetwood Mac with more of an organic, Celtic-inflected lilt of vocals and melody". The Heart Collectors are charismatic performers that create real musical synergy, marrying progressive folk/rock sensibilities and clean classical precision in their sound. In February 2023, The Heart Collectors will be representing Australia at Folk Alliance International in Kansas City as Official showcasing artists.
Not Another Minute Review: "Appreciate the purity of the handcraft in this track, it feels super natural and authentic." David Ruby Howe, Music Director of Triple J
Charts
Timeless Space EP - No. 05 on the FAI Folk Charts, January, 2023
Our Team
US Acoustic Radio Promotion: Kari Estrin - kari@kariestrin.com
Bookings USA: Stardust and Sunshine LLC - stardustandsunshinellc@gmail.com
Bookings (Rest of the World): Spins the Gold Records Pty Ltd - info@theheartcollectors.com
Distribution: Metropolitan Groove Merchants - sales@thegroovemerchants.com
Record Engineering and Production: Jordan Power Productions // Jordan Power
Film and Photography: Jon Latomi
Mechanicals Royalties and Licensing: PPCA - business.affairs@ppca.com.au
Songwriting Royalties and Licensing: APRA AMCOS
Biography
With the sentimentality of 70’s inspired harmonies, Australian four piece ‘Epic Folk’ band The Heart Collectors have graced stages around the world, accomplishing three international tours and releasing four studio albums. Picked as one of the ‘Top Bands To See’ at SXSW (The Austin Statesman), this independent group have found creative ways of staying connected throughout the 2020-21 lockdowns and the cancellation of their USA and UK tours.
The Hearts released their latest album Time To Say I Love You (2020) one single a fortnight, featured on Spotify with The Guardians “Australian Music for Isolated Times”. In August 2020, The Hearts were selected to be 1 of 12 Australian artists for the Premier Event Global Music Match – a world wide initiative to connect musicians and industry in the face of COVID-19 restrictions.
Carrying the momentum in 2021, they joined Folk Alliance International (FAI) for ‘Folk Unlocked’ Showcases, ‘ISOL-AID Unlocked’, and were considered as one of “the outstanding groups of the week” by John Platt, founder of New Folk Initiative.
As a part of FAI's ‘Artists In (Their) Residence’ programme, The Hearts were commissioned to cowrite a song about the effects of COVID-19 with Native American singer/songwriter Charly Lowry, titled 'Navigating to Hope'. The project's aim - to raise awareness for the Village Fund charity.
As possibilities opened for touring in Australia again, The Hearts embarked on a Statewide tour of Tasmania in January/February 2021 to sold out audiences. In May, they showcased in Canadian Music Week as Official Artists, picked as one of the Top 10 international acts to see by FEMMUSIC.
With the advent of further lockdowns and restrictions in Australia, The Hearts returned to virtual performances and house concerts in the second half of 2021. Capitalising on new connections from the FAI conference - they performed with NB House Concerts, Arhaven House Concerts (at North West Regional Folk Alliance) and more.
In January 2022 The Heart Collectors showcased for Believe in Music Global Livestream at the NAMM Conference, California. Followed by Official Virtual Showcases at Folk Alliance Conference in May 2021. Out of restrictions, The Heart Collectors returned to live performances mid 2022, with a sold out east coast tour.
The Heart Collectors will be returning to the US in February to officially showcase at FAI’s 2023 conference in Kansas City.
With soaring cello, intricate guitar, sparkling mandolin, boot banging banjo, passionate strikes of a tambourine and the thundering of the bodhran, these four charismatic performers create real musical synergy, marrying progressive folk/rock sensibilities and clean classical precision.
Press Photos
