Newport Folk Preview: The Head And The Heart

I've written before about how I first fell in love with The Head And The Heart, bleary-eyed and head-aching after a long flight followed by a longer night in a rainy Seattle.  I listened to this local band that I remembered hearing about the night before and made it my mission to learn more about them.  They happened to be playing an opening set at a tiny bar the very next day - alas, it was sold out.  So, I made it my mission to track down one of the city's last remaining copies of the self-released debut before the Sub Pop rerelease (unannounced at the time) that would surely launch them to stardom.

Well, fast forward 9 months, and they are well on their way to stardom.  Their trademark catchy, bouncy folk-pop has won them a national following - no doubt with help from the Sub Pop marketing machine, major festival appearances and opening slots for Dr. Dog, My Morning Jacket and more.  Their first national headlining tour is still a few months away, but they play Newport Folk late on Sunday.  While they drew a tough timeslot up against Elvis Costello and Middle Brother, I know I'll be carving out time to see some of their set.  They're an energetic and captivating live band - check out our recording from their opening set at the Paradise in February for proof:

The Head And The Heart
Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
February 20, 2011

Cats And Dogs 
Ghosts
Honey Come Home
Heaven Go Easy On Me
Lost In My Mind
Winter Song
Sounds Like Hallelujah
Down In The Valley
Rivers And Roads

Full set download: mp3 zip