Critically acclaimed Canadian keyboardist and songwriter Kevin Hearn and his band Thin Buckle are set to release ‘Havana Winter’ (Celery Music July 28), the fifth album and follow-up to their moody masterpiece ‘The Miracle Mile.’ Perhaps best known as a skilled multi-instrumentalist in multi-platinum international pop group Barenaked Ladies, Hearn has long pursued a solo career that pushes the boundaries of common composition and performance. On ‘Havana Winter,’ Hearn’s wry eye for observational detail and soaring melodies results in a delightfully dynamic and thought-provoking listen.
‘Havana Winter’ builds upon the adventurous chamber pop heard on ‘The Miracle Mile’ by adding joyous melodies and snappier tempos. The album features guest appearances by friends both old and new, including musical pioneers Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed. Reed recently honored Hearn with an invitation to play in his band at Lollapalooza in August.
On the fuzzed-out, organ-driven single “Huntsville.ca,” Hearn crafts a story about a year-round resident of vacation town Huntsville, Ontario who laments the (quite literally) fair-weather friends. “Huntsville.ca” is humorous, melancholic, yet undeniably catchy.
Download “Huntsville.ca” here:
Channeling Randy Newman’s lyrical sharp wit, Stereolab’s bubbly rhythms, and big-screen sound reminiscent of the Flaming Lips, ‘Havana Winter’ is an old-fashioned headphones album, the kind where listeners can sit back and immerse themselves in a wall of sound.
Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle are set to take these new songs and old favorites on the road this summer, including shows at Mercury Lounge in NYC, The Mint in LA, and World Café Live in Philadelphia.
Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle Live:
Jul. 12 – Vienna, VA – Jammin’ Java
Jul. 13 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
Jul. 14 – Cambridge, MA – TT The Bears
Jul. 16 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
Jul. 26 – Guelph, ON – Guelph Lake Island Hillside Festival
Jul. 28 – Halifax, NS – The Company House
Jul. 30 – Toronto, ON – The Dakota Tavern
Jul. 31 – Wakefield, QC – Blacksheep Inn
Aug. 9 – Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza, Grant Park
Sept. 26 – Toronto, ON – Enwave Theatre (Art of Time – The Abbey Road Sessions)
Sept. 27 – Toronto, ON – Enwave Theatre (Art of Time – The Abbey Road Sessions)
Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle On The Web:
http://www.myspace.com/kevinhearnthinbuckle
http://www.kevinhearn.com/