New kids on the block, The Heavy Heavy, are certainly helping pave an exciting revival of blues, rock, and country music with great gusto. The band is led by duo and co-founders Georgie Fuller and Will Turner, and The Heavy Heavy have been quietly but respectfully making a name for themselves since the release of their debut EP Life and Life Only last year. From the lush, soulful vocals to the warm production qualities, and foot-tappingly good rock instrumentals, it’s easy to see their influences. Fuller & Turner have studied at the alters of the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and more. Now, the band have released their debut record, One Of a Kind. It’s a dynamic and infectious body of work which thematically covers empowerment, joy, and self-reflection.
To celebrate the release of their debut record, The Heavy Heavy have curated an exclusive playlist full of songs they adore.
“Star Star” – The Rolling Stones
This is the final track on their 1973 album Goats Head Soup – this entire album was in the fabric of our creative process for One of a Kind – themes and sounds of boldness and darkness, but also psychedelia and groovy fun
“Ramble On” – Led Zeppelin
We had that playing a lot around the time of writing Dirt – instrumentally it was certainly an avenue we wanted to explore, and using Georgie’s voice as lead meant we could also explore more of that Robert Plant wailing – it was a fun one to make.
“I Got Heaven” – Mannequin Pussy
Georgie: when it came to writing the lyrics for Dirt – there was definitely something powerful there in the sound and also the melody and phrasing that we were playing around with – and being the only female vocal solo track I felt I could really stretch my legs with writing out some of the frustrations I have with everyday life from the female perspective.
I Got Heaven is so real, so raw and passionate. It’s anarchic and also just laying it out bare – what an inspiring song that’ll live on for a very long time. It ignites something in me, a fire that I want to ignite in others.
“Some Velvet Morning” – Lee Hazlewood
This song is so atmospheric and dreamy – the orchestral instrumentation he uses and his recording process with layering tracks makes it sound cinematic. It was certainly a pillar to look to when writing Salina.
“The Hissing of Summer Lawns”- Joni Mitchell
This song is such a great example of the way Joni uses her tunings and percussion to create something that is not exactly jazzy – but is uniquely Joni- it’s its own thing. When we were writing Lovestruck there was a feeling of freedom within the bassline, and something Joni-esque in its Californian nature – this song was a reference for exploring more of that during the recording process.
“Loser” – Beck
We love the 60s, but we also love the 90s – this whole era of rock is basically the second wave of 60s rock. The lyrics of Loser are primal – we really love this track – it’s unique in sound, in arrangement and lyrically too. When we were writing Feel, we felt a lot of the lyrics we were coming up with kind of resonated with the carnal lyrics of Loser – “In the time of Chimpanzees I was a monkey” – just throw life in the air – we are what we are. There’s something inspiring about that.
“The Last Time” – The Rolling Stones
The sound of the intro guitar riff and the catchiness of the song was definitely a big inspiration, we tried to keep the songs distinctive as well as vibey.
“I See You Baby” – Groove Armada/Fatboy Slim
It’s a repetitive dance track that’s rooted in the 60s – it’s groovy and makes you wanna get up and move – this kind of thing is always great to look at, at how modern dance music can still feel retro without being retro – this was great inspiration for writing Miracle Sun – something that’s cool and makes you feel good.
Listen to the playlist below.
The Heavy Heavy’s debut record, One Of A Kind, is out now.
Follow The Heavy Heavy @theheavyheavy
Photography Nicholas O’Donnell
