Erika Wennerstrom performing during the Love & Lightstream Backyard Concert Series at the Haute Spot Music Venue in Cedar Park, Texas on May 16, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Taking the name "Heartless Bastards" from an incorrect answer on a multiple-choice trivia game (the question: what is the name of Tom Petty's backing band), Wennerstrom founded the band in 2003 in Cincinnati. It started as a recording project and evolved into a live band with a revolving cast of musicians, and they began playing regularly throughout the Midwest. When Patrick Carney of the Black Keys saw the band, he liked what he heard and passed along a copy of their demo to his label at the time, Fat Possum Records.
In 2007 Wennerstrom relocated to Austin, Texas, and recorded The Mountain. A new touring lineup formed including David Colvin on drums and Jesse Ebaugh on bass, bringing the project in full circle as both Colvin and Ebaugh had played on the original Heartless Bastards demos 6 years earlier. Mark Nathan joined on guitar in 2009, and the band became a 4-piece.
Fans can also rest assured that what they’ve grown to love about Heartless Bastards is still front-and-center. Wennerstrom's trademark vocals that NPR so aptly calls “warm yet gritty, throaty yet sweet, gigantic, yet intimate” are that, times 10. And the bluesy, rock vibes that Relix describes as “smoky, late night rock that exists somewhere between Royal Trux and the Rolling Stones” has only gotten smokier and bluesier.
"Erika is insanely talented and so sweet. It’s wonderful to see a live show in such an intimate setting. She’s down to earth and real. She had us laughing so hard, and there was a lot of artist and crowd conversation."Erika Wennerstrom shared the stage with Big Head Todd and The Monsters at the Haute Spot Music Venue. They continue across the United States with the last stop at the Mohawk Austin in Austin, Texas on May28, 2021.
"The show was tremendous, as was the venue, it was well worth the trip."
"Erika was delightful, big voice, tremendous song writer, would definitely return!"
Erika Wennerstrom
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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