Podcast Summary: "Music Saved Me | The Head and The Heart"
Podcast Information
- Title: Takin' a Walk
- Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
- Episode: Music Saved Me | The Head and The Heart
- Release Date: January 29, 2025
- Description: Hosted by Buzz Knight, "Takin' a Walk" delves into music history, featuring inside stories from musicians, bands, and industry experts. In this episode, Buzz interviews Matt Gervais and Charity Rose Thielen from the American indie folk band The Head and the Heart, exploring the profound impact of music on their lives and their fans.
Introduction
The episode begins with Lynne Hoffman introducing the podcast and its guests, Matt Gervais and Charity Rose Thielen from The Head and the Heart. She extends a warm welcome, expressing excitement about delving into the healing powers of music through their experiences.
Formation of The Head and the Heart
[03:12] Lynne Hoffman:
Lynne initiates the conversation by asking about the serendipitous formation of the band during an open mic night in Seattle.
[03:27] Charity Rose Thielen:
Charity shares the band's eclectic beginnings, highlighting how diverse individuals from different states converged at an Irish pub named Conor Burn in Ballard. She recounts Kenny's unique entry into the band, drawn by a Lakers game and his inherent musical genius despite not formally reading music. The spontaneous connections among the members fostered a familial bond, which has been pivotal in their collective journey.
Notable Quote:
"We really bonded from this kind of formation because we connected immediately and had this kind of wild wonder about... we just were meant to be together." — Charity Rose Thielen [05:41]
Themes of Home, Belonging, and Personal Growth
Lynne steers the discussion towards the band's exploration of themes like home, belonging, and personal growth in their music.
[06:31] Charity Rose Thielen:
Charity reflects on their first album, emphasizing themes of leaving home and the quest for belonging—a universal experience in early adulthood. She notes how these themes persist and evolve as individuals navigate their 30s and 40s, finding comfort and solace in both creating and engaging with music.
[07:34] Matt Gervais:
Matt adds that songwriting has been a cathartic process for the band members, allowing them to process personal growth and life experiences. As they've matured, they've become more intentional in harnessing music's therapeutic power, drawing inspiration from music legends who were at similar life stages during their creative peaks.
Notable Quote:
"There's so much comfort in moving through uncertainty in music, there's so much comfort that you find from making it and also engaging with it as a listener." — Charity Rose Thielen [06:31]
Prioritizing Mental Health within the Band
Lynne introduces the topic of mental health, highlighting the band's proactive approach to therapy.
[09:10] Lynne Hoffman:
Lynne commends the band for seeking therapy as a collective, comparing their commitment to that of other high-profile bands like Metallica.
[10:21] Matt Gervais:
Matt explains that therapy has reinforced the band's understanding that their success is intertwined, emphasizing the importance of staying united. This collective approach has enriched their creative process, allowing them to navigate interband dynamics and extract valuable insights akin to personal relationships.
[12:15] Charity Rose Thielen:
Charity elaborates on the profound impact of therapy, highlighting the necessity of vulnerability and honest communication within the band. She underscores the lack of mental health support structures within the music industry, advocating for more comprehensive support systems. The band’s therapist has been instrumental in fostering a safe environment, enhancing their creative synergy.
Notable Quote:
"Songs that feel like the writer was very connected to themselves from within, very honest... that's the power that music has to do that." — Charity Rose Thielen [12:15]
Impact of Music on Fans and Collective Healing
The conversation transitions to how music serves as a healing force for their audience.
[17:46] Lynne Hoffman:
Lynne queries when Matt and Charity recognized music's healing benefits for their fans.
[17:57] Matt Gervais:
Matt recounts using music as a therapeutic outlet from a young age, influenced by family and early musical experiences. He expresses gratitude for being able to create music that profoundly affects others, creating a reciprocal cycle of healing and affirmation.
[20:20] Charity Rose Thielen:
Charity shares her personal connection to music as a deeply empathetic and sensitive individual. She emphasizes the cathartic nature of songwriting and how it's both a personal healing tool and a means to connect with listeners on a profound level.
Notable Quote:
"Music is one of the main tools that can bring me through that." — Charity Rose Thielen [36:47]
Favorite Artists and Songs with Personal Significance
Lynne probes into the artists and songs that have significantly impacted Matt and Charity.
[28:46] Lynne Hoffman:
Lynne asks Matt about his favorite artists and songs that helped him through difficult times.
[29:09] Matt Gervais:
Matt shares an array of influential artists from Nirvana to Bruce Springsteen, highlighting how their music provided solace during personal tragedies and national events like post-9/11. He vividly describes the therapeutic effect of revisiting these records, which evoke powerful memories and emotions, aiding in his healing process.
[32:16] Matt Gervais:
He recounts the poignant impact of his grandfather singing songs despite Alzheimer's, illustrating music's ability to connect with deeper parts of the brain and soul.
[34:15] Matt Gervais:
Addressing the song "Hurts But It Goes Away," Matt explains its themes of time, healing, and shared human experiences, reinforcing the idea that pain diminishes over time and personal growth emerges from adversity.
Notable Quotes:
"When you look out and you see those tears and you see that release... it gives you the ability to reinvigorate what those songs meant to you." — Matt Gervais [22:43]
"Truth can't help but be attractive, you know, and connect." — Charity Rose Thielen [33:28]
Upcoming Projects and the Rivers and Roads Foundation
The discussion shifts to the band's philanthropic efforts and future projects.
[47:15] Charity Rose Thielen:
Charity introduces the Rivers and Roads Foundation, detailing its mission to enhance music education for children in Seattle and provide mental health support for musicians. The foundation aims to give back to the community that supported the band in their formative years.
[48:54] Matt Gervais:
Matt explains their partnership with the Seattle Foundation, allowing them to effectively allocate funds to various nonprofit organizations, thereby directly benefiting diverse communities within Seattle.
[44:11] Matt Gervais:
Matt provides insights into their new album, focusing on themes of hope and renewal. He describes the creative process as a journey from darkness to light, encapsulating personal and collective transformations through music.
Notable Quote:
"Music is like a form of meditation... it's a powerful tool that can unify, especially in the live music setting." — Charity Rose Thielen [22:43]
Conclusion
Lynne wraps up the episode by expressing admiration for the band's authenticity and their dedication to using music as a healing medium. She encourages listeners to support The Head and the Heart and their ongoing efforts to foster community and mental well-being through music.
[49:49] Matt Gervais:
Matt and Charity extend their gratitude, reaffirming their commitment to sharing their music and stories to inspire and heal others.
Notable Quote:
"It's just what music does... it's all about that shared sense of community and shared history and catharsis." — Matt Gervais [22:43]
Final Thoughts
This episode of "Takin' a Walk" offers an intimate glimpse into The Head and the Heart's journey, emphasizing the transformative power of music both for creators and listeners. Through candid discussions on mental health, personal growth, and community support, Matt and Charity illustrate how music serves as a universal language of healing and connection.