The indie-rock band chats with RM ahead of their show.
Mt. Joy seems to be everywhere, all the time. The indie-rock five piece is set to play Koka Booth Sept. 23 on their Hope We Have Fun tour—marking their fourth local set in as many years.
A jampacked schedule is nothing new for the group. Since the 2016 release of their debut single, “Astrovan,” Mt. Joy has been on the move—cruising from small venues (think The Pour House, Lincoln Theatre and Cat’s Cradle) to opening up for the likes of The Lumineers and The Head and the Heart to headlining festivals and playing nationally broadcasted sets.
Despite now boasting a literal mountain of accolades and millions of fans, the Philly-based band refuses to lose focus of their music—their song remains the same. “I just think we’ve gotten better as a band, as we’ve gotten to play with each other,” guitarist and vocalist Matt Quinn tells RM. “To me, that’s the biggest thing. And, then, you know, we’ve experienced a lot in life since then—so hopefully some of that is shining through too.”
Their years together echo in their chemistry—reflected in production, performance and dynamic—but their sound hasn’t grown up, only out. And despite the momentum, success hasn’t altered their songwriting process: “Expectations can definitely mess with your head,” he says. “We try to keep it simple—just make songs we love and let the chips fall where they may.”
On their latest record, Hope We Have Fun, those chips fell in favor of their classic sound: firmly rooted in rock with a signature indie crunch. Some moments—like a feature from recent indie breakout Gigi Perez—add a fresher feel, but, at its core, the band doesn’t overthink their sound.
When asked about standout tracks, Quinn points to “Pink Lady” as the clear fan favorite—and while he is “not really surprised,” they’re not complaining because it’s such a fun tune to play live and jam out to. And jam seshes are both a given and welcome at their shows, with smooth transitions into covers by everyone from The Flaming Lips to Grateful Dead to Gorillaz.
“We try to bring songs we love to our shows as much as possible,” muses Quinn. But the band finds its way back into their groove. So, prepare to head to Koka Booth this month—there’s room for everyone on Mt. Joy. boothamphitheatre.com
Summer concert season is well underway, especially here in Raleigh—where an extraordinary lineup of artists have already rolled through town. Think Tyler, the Creator, The Head and the Heart and The Black Keys, with plenty more big names slated to play it up across Oak City venues. In short, the best songs of summer are begging you to come dance and drink along.
Love an incoming artist, but have no one to tag along with? Buy the ticket anyway. As someone who refuses to sit out a concert just because friends can’t come, I’ve gone to numerous live shows alone and found—especially with slower genres—it’s actually preferable over bringing a slew of pals.
And despite not having your normal armor of a group or date, riding solo isn’t awkward or scary.
Spoiler: Not a soul will care if you are there alone. Everyone is looking at the stage, not at you. To boot, musicians love that their music means enough to brave their set alone.
To wit, “solo dating” or embarking on experiences usually meant for two or more, is trending—and concerts are no exception to the long laundry list of things usually reserved for pairs and groups. Solitude and fun, found. Here, find our best tips for heading to a live show alone.
Wear What? Wear an outfit you feel confident and comfortable in. Usually, I opt for something low maintenance—it will help kill the awkward jitters. Plus, it’s better for dancing around. As usual, protect the dogs with sneakers or boots, especially if it’s a standing-only venue.
Getting There Plan transportation ahead of time, and keep that phone charged in case an Uber is needed after the show.
Sight-Seeing The best part about riding solo? A good spot is easy to come by. If you want the barricade, more power to you—but if not, find a place where you can blend in with the crowd, but still have a good view.
Bottoms Up Grab a drink. It doesn’t have to be an adult bevvy, but having something to hold and sip on will preoccupy your hands and help disperse any awkward vibes.
Friends Along the Way A concert is the perfect place to make friends, if you feel so inclined. Everyone there already has at least two things in common: love for live music and love for the artist. Strike up a convo with those around you—but if you’re getting the hang of solitude, no pressure.
Let Loose As aforementioned, everyone else is watching the music, not you. So chill out, dance around, cry, mosh, sing along—the world is your oyster. Remember the solo concert MO: No one cares you’re by your lonesome. And in a venue full of concert-goers who love music just as much, are you really alone?
The indie folk band talks the way things change with RM.
You’ve likely heard The Head and the Heart’s music echoing through grad parties, wedding venues and even during sappy sitcom scenes. The Seattle-based indie folk band has always had a knack for writing grassroots music that somehow feels incredibly personal yet still made for the masses—think songs like “Rivers and Roads,” “Lost in My Mind,” and “People Need a Melody.”
Now, with six albums in the rearview and a jam-packed tour ahead—including a Raleigh stop at Red Hat Amphitheater July 16—the band is ready to turn a new page.
The six-piece is still churning out folky ballads that ring true at any occasion where reminiscing is called for, but after ~15 years as a group with various record labels, their sound was bound to shapeshift. For their sixth record, Aperture, The Head and the Heart’s goal was to head back home to their roots and reconnect with the strummy spirit of their early days.
“We intentionally tried to kind of get back to ‘being in the room’ vibes, really making a record focused on collaboration and starting songs from scratch all together,” drummer Tyler Williams told RM.
Aperture, cover courtesy of Grandstand Media
And they achieved that old-yet-refreshed indie sound in the most grassroots way possible: A Virginia studio down a gravel road. “It was like an adult summer camp,” describes vocalist and guitarist Jonathan Russell. “There was plenty of outdoor space, one of the houses had a piano in it and plenty of space in the studio.” All the wide-open vibes left plenty of room for creative expression—and room for all six members to get along.
“With six people, you can’t just plug it in and it automatically works, you know?” emphasizes Russell. “You have to be cognizant of people’s moods that day or who’s listening to what.” But fortunately, over the years, the band’s learned to “read the room”—and ensure every member has their fingerprints on the final product.
Truly going back to the basics on Aperture, it’s only their fingerprints on the final record. After label-hopping for years, the newest record was released under The Head and the Heart’s own label, Every Shade of Music. While a label and producer seems like the easier route, it felt far more removed from the original sonic goal. “It’s on us to do the leg work to actually make the final decisions, and therefore it actually sounds like our decision,” maintains Russell. “It’s almost like creativity loves hard work.”
After all the work behind the newest record, it’s time for more heavy lifting: Four more months of touring kicks off with Raleigh as the second stop, just after a short break from the road. With family matters now added in the mix—with some kids on tour and some kids at home—being able to take the stage is both more difficult and all the more worth it, the band describes.
“I’m so excited about it, because I think I finally figured out what I needed to do to hit the stage running,” Russell muses. “I’m so glad we are starting off in North Carolina.” So, head to Red Hat to tune in to refreshed indie ballads with same beloved sound. theheadandtheheart.com
Hear that? The weather is warming and all your fave artists are rolling into Raleigh to bring only the best sounds of summer for you to dance and drink along to. Pro tip: Life is short, so just buy the ticket. Summer concerts is calling, and you must go.
