South London auteur Heartworms has released her debut EP ‘A Comforting Notion’ via Speedy Wunderground, alongside a Gilbert Trejo directed video for blistering EP track 24 Hours.
‘A Comforting Notion’ has already been subject to glowing praise from the likes of DIY (“a masterclass in making an entrance”) and NME (“the next great cult band”) who both awarded it a perfect 5* stars. The EP’s pummeling singles Retributions Of An Awful Life and Consistent Dedication have led to nods in the NME 100 and Dork Hype List for 2023 while receiving a string of further press plaudits from the likes of The FADER, Brooklyn Vegan, FLOOD, Under the Radar, The Quietus, Loud And Quiet, The Line Of Best Fit, So Young Magazine(where she features as the latest cover star), CLASH, and many more. Both singles found heavy rotation at KEXP and were added to the BBC Radio 6 Music playlist following support from Chris Hawkins, Steve Lamacq, Lauren Laverne, and Tom Ravenscroft at the station. The singles also grabbed spot plays from Radio X’s John Kennedy, and BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders and Gemma Bradley.
Speaking about 24 Hours and its accompanying video, Heartworms says: “‘24 Hours’ is about general struggles of teenage growth, secondary school and moments of regret. I wanted the video to be in a school, which was a clear vision I had before the EP was officially recorded with Dan [Carey]. Gilbert instantly clicked with the idea I had, we both are on the same level in vision and expectations, the same as Dan and I.”
Watch the video for 24 Hours via YouTube below.
She continues: “Gilbert and I came into contact with each other through Instagram by following me and buying a t-shirt, which led to us talking about working with each other and making a music video. Gilbert, with kindness and vision for Heartworms, just wanted to help create something special. The way he works in favour of the artist, he doesn’t want to take over, he wants to bring to life the small spark that starts in the soul of the artist. He’s a genius.”
Gilbert adds: “Working with Heartworms has been incredibly natural. Being so singular in her vision and having such a strong voice, she knows exactly what she wants and has the strength as a performer to do anything. This video is one of those rare occasions where everyone came together to shoot exactly what was in our heads from the very beginning.”
Summing up the EP, Heartworms concludes: “‘A Comforting Notion’ represents the growth and journey of discovering the sound I was too afraid’ to portray. For it to be out, is special. It’s a unique EP that I know was worth the hard work and it deserves everything good coming. I believe this immensely.”
Despite ‘A Comforting Notion’ being only her first official EP, Heartworms has been a much buzzed about name on the live circuit in the past year; having already played The Great Escape, showcases for DIY and So Young magazines, supported Lime Garden and was invited by Sports Team to play at their annual Margate bus trip. Heartworms also recently played showcases at Eurosonic and SXSW to critical acclaim and lauded as one to watch by the likes of NME and CLASH.
‘A Comforting Notion’ track listing
1. Consistent Dedication
2. Retributions Of An Awful Life
3. A Comforting Notion
4. 24 Hours
Backed by a full live band, Heartworms’ performances are a masterclass in poise; she describes the theatre brought to her shows – punctuated by her intense stare – as a kick back against preconceived notions of ‘smallness’ and fragility as a female musician. On stage, her projection is the very antithesis: we see an artist who is big, powerful, in total control.
Uniformity plays a huge role in all things Heartworms, too. The metronomic music and meticulous fashion of bands like Interpol and Kraftwerk greatly inspires her, as does PJ Harvey, whose dark sense of humor and lyrical dexterity permeates her songwriting. The end result is a life affirming exercise, an opportunity to expel her own self and passions; which include military history (she has just taken a volunteering role at The Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon) and the poetry of Pound, Thomas, and Keats.
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