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Promises are made, bottles are drained, fists are raised, seasons change and a pair of would-be revolutionaries bike across town. Theatrical, folk-influenced chamber pop that slots in somewhere between Belle and Sebastian's delicacy and the robust classicism of the Chills, Glad Hearts debut album, The Oak and the Acorn, drips with enough romanticism to rival Jeff Buckley's Grace. The kitchen sink arrangements include the use of guitar, accordion, banjo, crumbling paper, a glass jar full of coins, a jingle bell wreath, a slide and e-bow, saw, drums, falling snow, and keys (black, white, and car). Come for the singing and shouting, stay for the all abouting. - Alex Dawson, The Raconteur
Glad Hearts is a three-piece folk rock band based in Wilmington and New Brunswick that have been playing together since 2007.
Glad Hearts has catchy acoustic melodies entwined with an eclectic assortment of instruments ranging from banjo and accordion to mandolin and violin. Their lyrics are frank and poetic and reflect the struggles of everyday life. Free MP3s are available on their website at Glad-Hearts.com.
Lead singer Ryan Bing said, "Neutral Milk Hotel is one of my favorite bands. I'd love it if we could sound a tenth as good as they did. I really like Bright Eyes and Okkervil River, too and I think that all shows in the songs."
Indeed, Glad Hearts' use of a variety of instruments, emotionally driven lyrics, and bold acoustic strumming lends them their resemblance to Okkervil River, Bright Eyes, and Neutral Milk Hotel.
So far they have put out a four track EP, A Year in a Circle, and will release their first full length album, The Oak and the Acorn, on March 21st. Their Wilmington record release show will be at The Spot on Friday, March 27th.
Glad Hearts frequently play in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington. All upcoming shows are posted on the website Glad-Hearts.com.
- Sarah Lamming, The Quad
Glad Hearts - or is it the Glad Hearts - is a whimsically adventurous New Brunswick folk rock band that's been a draw on the city's basement show circuit over the last year or two. On the surface, they're disarming and quaint but beneath, sturdy and not without power.
The band - Mallory Leonard, Cassidy McGrath, John Valencia and Ryan Bing - begins an East Coast tour at 7 tonight at Southwest Burrito in New Brunswick on Easton Avenue. It's all-ages and it's free.
We recommend a junior Original Chicken Burrito with the sour cream on the side in addition to the music. - Chris Jordan, Home News Tribune
Discography
-The Oak and the Acorn (LP 2009)
-Rutgers Review Best of New Brunswick Comp (2008; out of print)
-A Year in a Circle (EP 2007; out of print)
-Live in Jimmy's Room (2007; never in print)
Photos
Bio
Glad Hearts is like the family car when your older brother first gets his license. We're out to see what we can see, and pick up some friends along the way.
No grass grows beneath our feet, and through the motion blurs and cracked windshields we've been lucky enough to see and hear a lot of beauty. The songs are meant to be a token in tribute of all that beauty, and we feel lucky to get to share them with others.
Glad Hearts is Cassidy McGrath, Mallory Leonard, John Valencia, and Ryan Bing. We began in New Brunswick, New Jersey in 2007. An EP, an LP, and several tours later, we're having a great time making music together.
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