Bearheart

Bearheart is a Nashville based band whose song writing and instrumentation often defies the Alternative Country label that is usually assigned to them. Their musical influences range from traditional bluegrass and folk to classic country and Indie Americana rock.

Within the same set, traditional bluegrass instrumentation gives way to lap steel and heavily effected electric guitar, each of which serve the unique and emotional songwriting talents of two Alabamans, lead singer Matthew Leonhardt and multi-instrumentalist Taylor McMillen.

Mobile, AL raised McMillen is a sonic chameleon, jumping between mandolin, guitar, lap steel and occasionally has even been seen playing a length of galvanized chain. Simultaneously, he contributes back up vocals and harmonies, which are a perfect counterpoint to Leonhardt's clear tenor voice.

In 2007, a chance encounter in a Tennessee university between Nashville native percussionist Chris Barrett and Huntsville, AL born Leonhardt began a long friendship and musical collaboration. Six years later, McMillen and Los Angeles transplant and upright bass player Craig Higgins joined, and Bearheart was formed. Between the addition of Higgins and the driving beats of Barrett, came a solidified rhythm section which filled out the band's sound to create a well balanced experience. In early 2014, Jon Galletti, on banjo, and Brenna Fitzgerald, on fiddle, joined the ranks, which helped drive Bearheart further toward their bluegrass and folk goals.

Since releasing their debut self-titled EP in September 2013, they have been featured on Brite Revolution's weekly sampler, featured on American Songwriter's Daily Discoverypage, were selected as a "DJ Pick of the Week" on Nashville's independent radio station, Lightning 100.

Bearheart is becoming well known and loved around Middle Tennessee with new songs that provide an old sense of familiarity.