Heartless Bastards

Originally a four-piece focused around the songwriting and vocal prowess of Erika Wennerstrom, the band played their first show at The Comet, a bar in Northside, Cincinnati in 2003. The four-piece however didn’t last long and Wennerstrom enlisted the talents of drummer Kevin Vaughn, and bassist Mike Lamping and became a roots-rock three piece. After playing number of shows that highlighted Erika Wennerstrom’s enviable fable-telling delivery, and utilising a connection with The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney, Heartless Bastards signed with Pat Possum Records in 2004. The band released their debut album “Stairs and Elevators” in 2005 to a positive response from Rolling Stone and The Village Voice. Featuring heavy blues-orientated guitar riffs and candid belted vocals, the album led to an impressive touring schedule.

In 2006 Heartless Bastards released their sophomore album “All This Time” to critical acclaim and became one of the most respected bands of 2005. The album led to supporting slots for Wilco and Lucinda Williams, after which Wennerstrom folded the band, due to a personal relationship with Lamping turning sour.

In 2008, a new home in Austin, Texas, U.S., and a new line-up featuring old members “Jess Ebaugh and Dave Colin, was announced. A year later Heartless Bastards released their third full-length album “The Mountain”, produced by Spoon producer Mike McCarthy. With a greater focus on the accoutrements of country music, including the violin, banjo and steel guitar, the album saw the band expand their sound as well as their audience.

Shortly afterwards the band announced they were signing to Partisan Records and invited Spoon percussionist Jim Eno to produce their subsequent release. Led by the single “Parted Ways”, the full-length “Arrow” was issued in early 2012 and charted at No. 78 on the Billboard 200.