It was Record Store Day, a day to attract attention, to create meaning and reasons for actually purchasing music. I went to Everyday Music and Sonic Boom on Capitol Hill and found some great deals in the bargain bins but eventually made my way to Easy Street Records in Queen Anne to catch The Head and the Heart.

The Head and the Heart is a band on the verge of blowing up. They’re immensely popular in the Seattle area mostly because of their high energy and fun presence during live performances. They are scheduled to play at the Showbox in a few weeks, a concert that sold out within minutes. Because of the success, they added another show the next day to The Moore, which sold out equally as fast. This band could be the next Fleet Foxes; a gig on SNL would boost them into endless mainstream status.

Playing free at Easy Street was another example of how strong this band is right now. Easy Street was completely packed with people waiting outside, sticking their heads through the door. Record Store shows are different because people are typically polite, friendly enough to not push and shove, content with being comfortable with where they’re standing and what they’re hearing. The Head and the Heart write songs for this friendly crowd; songs that families can listen and grow up to, songs that people want to learn the lyrics to and sing for months and months. They’re part of this Indie-Folk trend that is present in popular music, but they have a smart voice, singing about travel and missing someone special. They stomp around stage, unafraid to escalate their emotions. They also have a woman singing who lifts her voice like an angel, shaking the core of a crowd’s feelings.

Check out The Head and the Heart, they’re something special.

Here’s some footage from the show: