The Wandering Hearts had already enjoyed the phenomenal experience of recording their second album deep in the Catskills with producers Simone Felice and David Baron, but their adventure would be extended with another remarkable chapter. They met up with the legendary Marty Stuart (a five-time Grammy Award winner and a former member of Johnny Cash’s band) in Nashville, who offered them “Dreams,” a song he had written with his wife, the country star Connie Smith. They then headed to the iconic Cash Cabin in Hendersonville, where he joined the band, playing mandolin and guitar on the record. It was fortunate timing, as COVID-19 halted all international travel just a few days later.
The result is The Wandering Hearts’ brand new song “Dreams,” which fuses timeless ‘60s Americana with contemporary production. As ever, the band’s exquisite vocals are remarkable as AJ Dean-Revington’s velvet baritone is enveloped by luscious harmonies from Chess Whiffin and Tara Wilcox. “Dreams” is the latest track to preview their eagerly anticipated self-titled album, which follows on July 30th.
Chess commented: “We are big dreamers. The incredible Marty Stuart and Connie Smith wrote ‘Dreams’ and gifted it to us. From the first time Marty came round and played it for us, we loved it and really connected to it. The key message is that no matter what, you have to have dreams. Things that inspire you. You have to see everything you want in life as possible. Dream it, see it, believe it.”
AJ adds: “When we asked Marty if he would consider featuring on the recording, we didn’t expect him to say, ‘Yes but you all have to come to the Cash Cabin to hang out when I record.’ Even for someone who wasn’t a lifelong Johnny Cash fan, that would be a huge deal. You just never know with Marty. The day was truly a dream come true.”
The story started when The Wandering Hearts supported Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives during their 2017 UK tour. Marty invited them to perform at his annual Late Night Jam at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium the following summer on a bill that also included Margo Price, John Prine and Chris Stapleton, and they also joined him at the Grand Ole Opry a few days later, making them the first UK band to debut at Music City’s two most historic venues in the same week. They were reunited a week later to play at another historic place of music: Graceland.
Together with the recent tracks “Dolores,” “Gold” and “Over Your Body,” “Dreams” provides a compelling taste of what to expect from the new album. Already praised by both long-term Americana devotees (Bob Harris) and young tastemakers, it’s a record that celebrates life, new beginnings, and striving to shine through a darkening world. The Wandering Hearts’own style and personality is fused with echoes of some of their key influences: the timeless songcraft of Fleetwood Mac and Simon & Garfunkel with the pure passion of Jade Birdand The Lumineers.
The album is available to pre-order here, and will be released on CD, vinyl, cassette and digital formats. The band’s official store offers a selection of exclusive bundles as well as signed items and a new t-shirt design.
After playing this year’s virtual SXSW, The Wandering Hearts will follow the album’s release by playing their first UK shows in eighteen months. Tickets for ‘In Harmony: An Intimate Tour’ are selling quickly and are available here. They’ll be joined by special guests Bobby Bazini and Roseanne Reid for all shows except for Poole and Oxford.
