The Head and the Heart

The Head and the Heart are an American indie folk band formed in 2009 in Seattle, Washington, after founders Josiah Johnson and Jonathan Russell met at open mic nights in the city's Ballard neighborhood. They were soon joined by violinist and vocalist Charity Rose Thielen, bassist Chris Zasche, pianist Kenny Hensley and drummer Tyler Williams, forming the lineup that would define the band's early sound. They self-released their self-titled debut album in 2009, selling copies at shows before Sub Pop Records re-released it in 2011, propelling them into national touring alongside acts like Vampire Weekend and The Decemberists.

The band's music blends warm, harmony-driven folk with anthemic, indie-rock energy, built on multiple lead and backing vocals, violin and piano textures, and communal, singalong choruses — a sound epitomized by early favorites like «Rivers and Roads» and «Down in the Valley». Subsequent albums, including «Let's Be Still» (2013), «Signs of Light» (2016), «Living Mirage» (2019) and «Every Shade of Blue» (2022), have seen them expand toward more polished, radio-friendly folk-pop production while retaining their communal live energy.

Over more than a decade, The Head and the Heart have become fixtures of the American folk-rock revival that also produced bands like Fleet Foxes and The Lumineers, known for emotionally direct songwriting and euphoric live shows. In 2025 they announced their sixth studio album, «Aperture», continuing a steady evolution while staying rooted in the harmony-rich, communal sound that built their following.