Jeff Stuart and the Hearts have evolved to a more of a collaborative project for their new CD “ Equal Love” and quick Albertan tour. They play the Slice, Nov. 7.
“We’ve been really busy lately. We’ve been busy getting the album ready and all of the fun stuff involved with that,” he said.
The six member band including Jeff Stuart, Gavin Dunn (guitar/vocals), Dwayne Martineau (keyboards/ guitar/vocals , Chris Quesnel (bass), Michelle Sabourin - Rempel (violin/percussion/vocals) and Brad Tebble (drums) , formed as the band behind frontman Jeff Stuart’s solo record, but stuck together after that.
“It (changing the name to the Hearts from Jeff Stuart and the Hearts) has been a natural progression. We’ve become more of a collective,” Stuart said.
“I got together with guitarist Gavin (Dunn) six or seven years ago to produce my first record and we’ve had the same core ever since other than a slight change really early on,” he said, adding Michelle Sabourin's voice takes a more prominent role on the band’s third CD as she sings lead on “Morninglight.”
“That’s an example of how we’ve become more collaborative. Dwayne (Martineau) and I wrote that song so she could sing it,” he said, adding the CD explores a variety of sounds and textures.
“It’s pop with a little folk, rock and synth pop all mixed together,” he said.
“ The CD is our opportunity to record a little more of what we do live. There’s more movement on it,” he said.
They brought in an extra set of ears to help this CD by bringing in Sam Kassierer ( who has worked with Josh Ritter, The David Wax Museum and Joy Kills Sorrow) to mix the CD.
“ It was a fun process,” he said.
“It went very smoothly,” he said.
They have a few videos planned for the CD including the first one for “Cold Connection.”
“It’s comedic. It’s definitely unusual,” he said.
They are excited to release the new CD.
“We’re excited to release the CD at the end of a year. It’s been a very fun and exciting year. We went to Austin for South by Southwest, and played lots of festivals including the Salmon Arm roots and blues festival. So it’s a nice way to end the year,” he said.
It has been a few years since they played Lethbridge, so they are excited to return with fellow Edmontonians Jesse and the Dandelions, featuring Jesse Northey, who is a familiar face on the Lethbridge music scene.
“ He’s involved in a lot of very cool projects, so we’re super excited he’ll be coming down there with us,” he said.
The Hearts hit the Slice with Jesse and the Dandelions, Nov. 8 at 9 p.m. There is a $10 cover.
