In Conversation with The Head and The Heart
by EMMALEE SULLIVAN
On March 26th, I had the opportunity to participate in a press junket for The Head and the Heart’s new album, Aperture. As a concert photographer, I was so excited to hear more about the album title, a common term used to discuss lighting photography. The band is passionate about their new body of work and excited for fans to dive in. So, let’s do just that.
They answered the most burning question first: “The title track explores embracing the present moment, despite its contradictions. Can you share a moment during the making of this album where that theme felt especially personal to you?”
Drummer Tyler Williams answered that the album title, “Aperture,” is about letting the light in and moving past any darkness they’ve faced, both individually and as a band. Tyler mentioned how they created their last album during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, a time of striking darkness and emptiness for most of the world. Williams added, “Coming out of the pandemic was the main eye opener as to what we are as a band… the more open you are, the more light you can let in.” This sentiment epitomizes the album.
Next, another journalist asked, “What song from the new album are you most excited to perform live?”
Keys player Kenny Hensley replied, “West Coast” because he sings on that track. However, Kenny also described the nerves that come with making his vocal debut for their upcoming Aperture Tour. Vocalist and guitarist Charity Rose Thielen expressed excitement over playing the album’s title track. She said the album itself shaped who they are as a band and she is excited for audiences to hear it live. The energy present during live performances, as Matty and Jon attested, is electrifying.
The next question was, “In the song "Time With My Sins" it describes wanting to be close to someone and learning to let your guard down in order to really get to know someone. In what ways as a band have you had to let your guard down and lean on one another? Does that vulnerability show up during the process of creating an album together?”
The band told us that when the band formed, it felt like a marriage of six people, doing all of life together while trying to maintain friendships. They have to understand each other to reach their fullest potential, even through difficult times. The band also mentioned how important therapy was for them and how it helped them all become more comfortable with themselves,which then translated into their work.
On the topics of their connection, Thielen discussed this album’s evolving creative process. The band improvised a lot in order to develop ideas;some songs stemmed from these sessions. In fact, Charity stated that some tracks are the raw, improvised versions of the songs. This album, she said, is about feeling the music rather than dissecting each section to fit a certain sound.
Perhaps their most inspirational answer stemmed from the question, “The title track explores embracing the present moment, despite its contradictions. Can you share a moment during the making of this album where that theme felt especially personal to you?”
Tyler responded, “the tracks follow themes of light and dark and life and death, losing people. [The] title track highlights these lows and shows how coming back as a unit is about committing to each other and being each other’s parts.”
Matty told a personal story about a musician they know who got diagnosed with cancer. Their last wish, Matty said, was to watch a big concert with all their friends. This emotional experience inspired him to write about the joys that persist through difficulty.
When asked what advice they’d give their younger selves, Tyler discussed the harsh reality of the music industry. “Some people don’t want to see you win,” he said, which makes one want to protect their art against rejection. He added that people will never be able to see your potential if you are constantly hiding from criticism; therefore, he would tell his younger self to embrace the trial and error process—rejection is part of creating art for an audience.
Following Tyler, Kenny said he would tell his younger self to appreciate all that touring has to offer He explained that touring used to involve a lot of waiting around in the green room, performing, and then going to the next city. Now, though, he explores the city he’s in rather than wasting the day. The real beauty of tour, as he stated, comes with going outside and seeing new places.
So, what gives The Head and The Heart hope for the future of their art? According to The Head and The Heart, springtime gives them hope because you can always count on the flowers and warmth coming back even if it doesn’t feel like it during the winter. Kenny mentioned that joint interviews like this, gatherings of journalists and music publications eager to share in the joy of creating, gave him hope and made him want to make music. Matty said his children’s joy made him hopeful, that the ways young people live their lives gives him perspective.
The Head and The Heart begin their tour on May 31st at The Fillmore in Detroit, Michigan. It will conclude in mid-October. This tour will be full of light, collectivism, and the pure freedom of being alive—who would want to miss it? Tickets are still available here! Thank you 1824 for allowing us to attend this event!
