The Band Of Heathens today announced the release of Simpler Things, a stripped back acoustic LP, exploring an even simpler version of their critically acclaimed album Simple Things. Single “Heartless Year (Acoustic)” dropped today, premiered with The Tennessean, who stated, “The version features emotive harmonies with plucky instrumentals and a sincere Americana sound; fans can hear the earnestness in Quist and Jurdi's voices.” Keeping it simple has been the band’s motto for years, but it is now really starting to pay off.
Listen to “Heartless Year (Acoustic)” HERE
On the new version of the song, the band stated: “We’ve weathered many ups and downs as an independent band, but the will to persevere through the darkest of times in music, and in life, echoes even stronger in the bare bones arrangement of ‘Heartless Year.’ It only makes sense that the songs from the Simple Things album should work stripped down in this even Simpler Things acoustic format.”
The Band Of Heathens recently celebrated a unique achievement, becoming one of the few unsigned bands with a gold status for their recording of “Hurricane.'' Written by Thom Schuyler, Keith Stegall, and Stewart Harris, "Hurricane" was originally recorded by Levon Helm for his 1980 album American Son, and then again by Leon Everette; but it was not until The Band Of Heathens recorded the song did it become a runaway streaming success, a song that helped the band amass over 400 million streams, over 40 years after the song was written. Whatsmore, Simple Things received high praise from tastemakers NPR Music, POPMATTERS, AMERICAN SONGWRITER, and GLIDE. They made their national TV debut on CBS This Morning’s Saturday sessions, and performed at Grand Ole Opry, and the Bridgestone Arena.
Reflecting on the achievement, the band stated, “Our goal has always been to have the freedom to make the music we want to make without having to answer to anybody. To have a recording reach Gold status without the muscle of a label or outside funding is something we never dreamed of and is a testament to the power of the song. We’re honored that our arrangement of it is resonating like this.”
One of the writers of “Hurricane,” Keith Stegall, stated: “It’s amazing how songs can have several lives. Levon (Helm), Leon (Everett) and now The Band of Heathens. Thank you Band of Heathens for giving Hurricane life again!!”
From day one, The Band of Heathens have remained proudly, fiercely independent—turning down label offers, maintaining complete ownership of their catalog, building their audience one show at a time. From their humble roots as a rag tag local bar band - where they first formed in the early 2000s when Quist and Jurdi were among four songwriters playing regular weekly sets at the late, lamented club Momo's - to award winning, streaming giant status, The Band Of Heathens are true to their name as outliers to the traditional music industry model of success.
Tour Dates
Sat, OCT 14 - Todd, Hayes & The Heathens, Fredericksburg, TX^^
Fri, OCT 27 - Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery, Santa Fe, NM*
Sat, OCT 28 - Hotel Congress, Tucson, AZ*
Sun, OCT 29 - Pappy & Harriet’s, Pioneertown, CA*
Mon, OCT 30 - Belly Up, Solana Beach, CA*
Wed, NOV 1 - Knitting Factory - North Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA*
Thu, NOV 2 - The Siren, Morro Bay, CA^
Fri, NOV 3 - Moe's Alley, Santa Cruz, CA^
Sat, NOV 4 - Hopmonk Tavern, Sebastopol, CA^
Sun, NOV 5 - Humboldt Brews, Arcata, CA^
Mon, NOV 6 - Polaris Hall, Portland, OR#
Wed, NOV 8 - Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA#
Thu, NOV 9 - Treefort Music Hall, Boise, ID#
Fri, NOV 10 - The State Room, Salt Lake City, UT#
Sat, NOV 11 - Orpheum Theater, Flagstaff, Flagstaff, AZ#
Thu, NOV 16 - The Heights Theater, Houston, TX&
Fri, NOV 17 - Longhorn Ballroom, Dallas, TX&%
Sat, NOV 18 - Paramount Theatre, Austin, TX**
Jan. 6 - 11, 2024 - The Musicfest Steamboat 2024, Steamboat Springs, CO
Jan. 13-20, 2024 - Sandy Beaches Cruise, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Jan. 23 - 27, 2024 - Mile 0 Fest 2024, Key West, FL
^^ with Todd Snider and Hayes Carll
* with The Watson Twins
^ with Taylor Rae
# with Alex Jordan
& with B.R. Lively
% co-headline with Josh Weathers
** with Greyhounds
