First Spin: Heartless Bastards
First Spin: Heartless Bastards, 'Gates of Dawn'
“I have awoken. The spell, it has been broken.” These are the first words Erika Wennerstrom sings in her rich and powerful alto on Heartless Bastards’ new song “Gates of Dawn.” We initially heard the song performed at SXSW this year in a special acoustic session for FUV at Hotel San Jose, and we were immediately spellbound—a feeling only magnified with the unveiling of the album version. It simultaneously announces a personal awakening and the arrival of this Austin-based band at new levels of songcraft and sonic landscapes.
Marking 10 years since their debut Stairs and Elevators, Heartless Bastards are ready to share the results of an intense, 10-day recording session with producer John Congleton: their aptly-titled fifth studio album, Restless Ones, which is out June 16th. The band says the experience of making the album was all about discovery, pushing boundaries, and allowing unexplored musical territories to seep into their signature rock and roll sound.
“Gates of Dawn” demonstrates that we have an exciting journey ahead of us as Heartless Bastards reveal newfound realms of musicianship and lyricism, as open as the sky.
More from Heartless Bastards:
