Kevin Hearn
Encyclopedia
Kevin Neil Hearn is a Canadian
musician who is currently the keyboardist of Barenaked Ladies
and his own group, Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle
. He is also a former member of Rheostatics
.
, Ontario
, Canada
. He recalls buying Magical Mystery Tour
and a Beach Boys greatest hits record, and having them become his first two favourite albums, which led him to an interest in performing music. Hearn has a classical piano background. He attended Inglenook Community High School
. He also attended St. Michael's Choir School
.
In 1995 he replaced departed keyboardist
Andy Creeggan
in the Barenaked Ladies. Hearn did not own any of the band's albums and had to learn all of the band's songs in a matter of weeks. His early contribution to the band can be heard on the live release
Rock Spectacle
, which was recorded on his first tour with the group. He played mostly keyboards on the songs included on the album, and some accordion
. His first music video
with the band was "Shoe Box
", followed by the video for "The Old Apartment
", although he had not played on the recording of either song. Thanks to the opportunities afforded him by his BNL gig, Hearn subsequently released his first solo album, Mothball Mint
.
After extensive touring in the United States
, building upon the increasing success of Rock Spectacle, the band recorded their fourth studio album, Stunt
. This was Hearn's first album with the band. While Andy Creeggan was mostly focused on acoustic keyboards (mainly piano
), Hearn was experienced with electronic keyboards, synthesizer
s and sampler
s. This contribution to the band's sound is evident on Stunt. Hearn also contributed some lead electric guitar
to the album, having a noticeably different style than Ed Robertson
or Steven Page
. On August 27, 2011, Hearn played piano and sang backing vocals for Steven Page's performance of Leonard Cohen
's "Hallelujah" at Jack Layton
's state funeral.
Shortly after the recording of the album, Hearn was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia
. He began treatment at the same time the band was shooting the video for "One Week", and as such, does not appear in many of the shots. He was hospitalized in Toronto
while the band continued to tour in support of the new album. Several of the band's friends filled in at different points (including Chris Brown and Greg Kurstin). Hearn ultimately required bone marrow
transplants from his brother Sean Hearn, and eventually his cancer
went into remission. He rejoined the band in 1999, though still dealing with the effects of the disease. He also released another solo album, called H-Wing
(named for the hospital wing he was in when he wrote most of the songs) which centered on his illness. This time his album was performed with a band, Thin Buckle (all the members of whom performed in some level or another on his first album).
BNL's next album, Maroon, featured one of Hearn's songs, "Hidden Sun" as a hidden track at the end of the disc; his song "Born Human", later re-recorded for Thin Buckle, was recorded and left off the album. Starting with the release of the band's sixth studio album, Everything to Everyone
, the band entered into a new writing process in which Hearn and Jim Creeggan
brought not only songs, but also song ideas that the band would complete together. Everything to Everyone saw Hearn's first writing credits on the regular body of a BNL album. He learned to play the mandolin
for the album and it has become a common instrument for him on tour. Hearn also released a third solo album, Night Light in 2003 with Thin Buckle.
A fourth album, The Miracle Mile
, was released on July 11, 2006 in Canada and online. The BNL writing process from the previous album continued for their seventh studio album, Barenaked Ladies Are Me
, released in September 2006.
. For their tribute album to Canadian painters, the Group of Seven
, entitled Music Inspired by the Group of Seven
, he co-composed the music, played keyboards, and sang the song "Yellow Days Under a Lemon Sun". For the Rheostatics' 1999 release, The Story of Harmelodia
, a thematic, and somewhat psychedelic, children's album, Hearn is listed as a member of the group in the liner-notes. He contributed significantly to the album and composed the songs "Wingophone" and "Monkey Bird".
In addition to Hearn's contributions to the recordings above, he performed live with the Rheostatics on many occasions throughout the latter part of the group's career. He is pictured in the group's official portrait at Zunior Records
' Independent Music Hall of Fame.
's band since 2009, including a European tour in 2011. He performs keyboards and piano. His friendship with Reed dates back to 2001, when Hearn received a "get well soon" phone call from Reed during his fight with leukemia.
Hearn's cousin is actor and comedian Harland Williams
, with whom he spent a lot of time as a child. They released an album together in 2004, as a duo known as The Cousins.
; Hearn's contributions include releases from 1996 until present.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
musician who is currently the keyboardist of Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies is a Canadian alternative rock band. The band is currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart. Barenaked Ladies formed in 1988 in Scarborough, Ontario, then a suburban municipality outside the City of Toronto...
and his own group, Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle
Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle
Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle are a Canadian band consisting of Barenaked Ladies multi-instrumentalist Kevin Hearn as the front man , bassist Chris Gartner and drummer Great Bob Scott. The three had previously collaborated as members of the Canadian alternative rock band The Look People...
. He is also a former member of Rheostatics
Rheostatics
Rheostatics was a Genie Award-winning Canadian indie rock band, active from 1980 to 2007.Although they had only one Top 40 hit, "Claire" in 1995, they were simultaneously one of Canada's most influential and unconventional rock bands, a band whose eclectic take on pop and rock music has been...
.
Early life
Hearn was born to a relatively large family, and they lived in a small home in GrimsbyGrimsby, Ontario
Grimsby is a town on Lake Ontario in the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada. Grimsby is a part of the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area. The majority of residents reside in the area bounded by Lake Ontario and the Niagara escarpment...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He recalls buying Magical Mystery Tour
Magical Mystery Tour (album)
The soundtrack was far more favourably received than the film. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for best album in 1968 and reached number 1 in the US for eight weeks...
and a Beach Boys greatest hits record, and having them become his first two favourite albums, which led him to an interest in performing music. Hearn has a classical piano background. He attended Inglenook Community High School
Inglenook Community High School
Inglenook Community High School is an alternative high school which offers only senior courses. It is housed in an historical building designed by William George Storm in Corktown, in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The school has, on average, one hundred students and six teachers...
. He also attended St. Michael's Choir School
St. Michael's Choir School
St. Michael’s Choir School is a boys' semi-private school located in downtown Toronto's Garden District, embodying a unique learning environment for its students. The school serves as a union between two distinct institutions: the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome and the Toronto...
.
Career
Hearn joined Look People in 1988 and played with the band until their break-up in 1993.In 1995 he replaced departed keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
Andy Creeggan
Andy Creeggan
Andy Creeggan is the former Piano player, percussionist and occasional guitarist for the Canadian pop band, Barenaked Ladies, from 1990–95...
in the Barenaked Ladies. Hearn did not own any of the band's albums and had to learn all of the band's songs in a matter of weeks. His early contribution to the band can be heard on the live release
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
Rock Spectacle
Rock Spectacle
Rock Spectacle is a live album by Barenaked Ladies and their first live release. This was the album that finally broke the American market for BNL, with the live version of "Brian Wilson" and a release of "The Old Apartment" from Born on a Pirate Ship featuring this live version becoming hits, and...
, which was recorded on his first tour with the group. He played mostly keyboards on the songs included on the album, and some accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
. His first music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
with the band was "Shoe Box
Shoe Box
"Shoe Box" is a song by Canadian band Barenaked Ladies, released as a single from their 1995 album, Born on a Pirate Ship. It is notable for being featured on the first soundtrack to the television series Friends, as well as the last track on the band's Born on a Pirate Ship album...
", followed by the video for "The Old Apartment
The Old Apartment
"The Old Apartment" is a song by the Canadian alternative rock group Barenaked Ladies. It was the band's first American hit, and appears on the albums Born on a Pirate Ship, Rock Spectacle and the compilation album, Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits...
", although he had not played on the recording of either song. Thanks to the opportunities afforded him by his BNL gig, Hearn subsequently released his first solo album, Mothball Mint
Mothball Mint
Mothball Mint is a solo CD by Kevin Hearn, keyboardist of Barenaked Ladies. This album was produced by Michael Phillip Wojewoda, and released in 1997....
.
After extensive touring in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, building upon the increasing success of Rock Spectacle, the band recorded their fourth studio album, Stunt
Stunt (album)
Stunt is the fourth full-length studio album by Barenaked Ladies. By far their most successful album, it entered the US charts at #3 and sold over 4 million units by the end of its chart run. Its first single, "One Week" would become the band's breakthrough single in the U.S. market by hitting #1...
. This was Hearn's first album with the band. While Andy Creeggan was mostly focused on acoustic keyboards (mainly piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
), Hearn was experienced with electronic keyboards, synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s and sampler
Sampler (musical instrument)
A sampler is an electronic musical instrument similar in some respects to a synthesizer but, instead of generating sounds, it uses recordings of sounds that are loaded or recorded into it by the user and then played back by means of a keyboard, sequencer or other triggering device to perform or...
s. This contribution to the band's sound is evident on Stunt. Hearn also contributed some lead electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
to the album, having a noticeably different style than Ed Robertson
Ed Robertson
Lloyd Edward Elwyn Robertson , better known as Ed Robertson, is the Canadian lead singer, as well as a guitarist and songwriter in the band, Barenaked Ladies...
or Steven Page
Steven Page
Steven Jay Page , is a Canadian musician. Along with Ed Robertson, he was a founding member, lead singer, guitarist, and a primary songwriter of the music group Barenaked Ladies ; he left the band in 2009 to pursue a solo career....
. On August 27, 2011, Hearn played piano and sang backing vocals for Steven Page's performance of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
's "Hallelujah" at Jack Layton
Jack Layton
John Gilbert "Jack" Layton, PC was a Canadian social democratic politician and the Leader of the Official Opposition. He was the leader of the New Democratic Party from 2003 to 2011, and previously sat on Toronto City Council, serving at times during that period as acting mayor and deputy mayor of...
's state funeral.
Diagnosis with leukemia
Chronic myelogenous leukemia
Chronic myelogenous leukemia , also known as chronic granulocytic leukemia , is a cancer of the white blood cells. It is a form of leukemia characterized by the increased and unregulated growth of predominantly myeloid cells in the bone marrow and the accumulation of these cells in the blood...
. He began treatment at the same time the band was shooting the video for "One Week", and as such, does not appear in many of the shots. He was hospitalized in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
while the band continued to tour in support of the new album. Several of the band's friends filled in at different points (including Chris Brown and Greg Kurstin). Hearn ultimately required bone marrow
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the interior of bones. In humans, bone marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. On average, bone marrow constitutes 4% of the total body mass of humans; in adults weighing 65 kg , bone marrow accounts for approximately 2.6 kg...
transplants from his brother Sean Hearn, and eventually his cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
went into remission. He rejoined the band in 1999, though still dealing with the effects of the disease. He also released another solo album, called H-Wing
H-Wing
H-Wing is the first album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released in 2001, and features the band's original lineup. It was produced by Jeremy Darby, Michael Phillip Wojewoda, and Kevin Hearn. The title of the album comes from a hospital wing Kevin was in while he was being treated for...
(named for the hospital wing he was in when he wrote most of the songs) which centered on his illness. This time his album was performed with a band, Thin Buckle (all the members of whom performed in some level or another on his first album).
Return to work
Everything to Everyone
Everything to Everyone is the sixth full-length original-material studio album by Barenaked Ladies. It was released in 2003 and was produced by Ron Aniello. Singles from the album include "Another Postcard", "Testing 1, 2, 3", "For You", "Celebrity" and "Maybe Katie"...
, the band entered into a new writing process in which Hearn and Jim Creeggan
Jim Creeggan
James Raymond Creeggan, better known as Jim Creeggan , is the bassist for Canadian band Barenaked Ladies...
brought not only songs, but also song ideas that the band would complete together. Everything to Everyone saw Hearn's first writing credits on the regular body of a BNL album. He learned to play the mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
for the album and it has become a common instrument for him on tour. Hearn also released a third solo album, Night Light in 2003 with Thin Buckle.
A fourth album, The Miracle Mile
The Miracle Mile
The Miracle Mile is the third album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released in Canada and July 11, 2006. The first single from the album will be "In The Country". This is the band's first album on the Warner Music Canada label...
, was released on July 11, 2006 in Canada and online. The BNL writing process from the previous album continued for their seventh studio album, Barenaked Ladies Are Me
Barenaked Ladies Are Me
Barenaked Ladies Are Me is the seventh full-length original-material studio album by Barenaked Ladies. It was their first original-material album since 2003's Everything to Everyone. It was released in September 2006 internationally...
, released in September 2006.
Rheostatics
Of note are Hearn's collaborations with the RheostaticsRheostatics
Rheostatics was a Genie Award-winning Canadian indie rock band, active from 1980 to 2007.Although they had only one Top 40 hit, "Claire" in 1995, they were simultaneously one of Canada's most influential and unconventional rock bands, a band whose eclectic take on pop and rock music has been...
. For their tribute album to Canadian painters, the Group of Seven
Group of Seven (artists)
The Group of Seven, sometimes known as the Algonquin school, were a group of Canadian landscape painters from 1920-1933, originally consisting of Franklin Carmichael , Lawren Harris , A. Y. Jackson , Franz Johnston , Arthur Lismer , J. E. H. MacDonald , and Frederick Varley...
, entitled Music Inspired by the Group of Seven
Music Inspired by the Group of Seven
Music Inspired by the Group of Seven is a 1995 album by Rheostatics.The album was commissioned by the National Gallery of Canada to accompany its Group of Seven retrospective show. The album has twelve pieces, most of which are instrumental music...
, he co-composed the music, played keyboards, and sang the song "Yellow Days Under a Lemon Sun". For the Rheostatics' 1999 release, The Story of Harmelodia
The Story of Harmelodia
The Story of Harmelodia is a 1999 album by Rheostatics.Billed as a children's album, the album is a narrative detailing the adventures of Dot and Bug, two children from the land of Harmelodia who fall through a hole into the land of Popopolis...
, a thematic, and somewhat psychedelic, children's album, Hearn is listed as a member of the group in the liner-notes. He contributed significantly to the album and composed the songs "Wingophone" and "Monkey Bird".
In addition to Hearn's contributions to the recordings above, he performed live with the Rheostatics on many occasions throughout the latter part of the group's career. He is pictured in the group's official portrait at Zunior Records
Zunior Records
Zunior.com is a Canadian online independent record label and music store, started by Dave Ullrich, formerly of The Inbreds, in 2004.The store primarily sells digital music from independent artists, in MP3 format without digital rights management protection. Most albums are sold at a price of $8.88...
' Independent Music Hall of Fame.
Touring with Lou Reed
Hearn has toured as part of Lou ReedLou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
's band since 2009, including a European tour in 2011. He performs keyboards and piano. His friendship with Reed dates back to 2001, when Hearn received a "get well soon" phone call from Reed during his fight with leukemia.
Personal life
Hearn currently lives in downtown Toronto. He also spends time at a cottage which he acquired in the early 2000s. The isolated cottage is on a lake where his family spent time when he was a child. Hearn has a daughter, Havana Winter Hearn, born in November 2003.Hearn's cousin is actor and comedian Harland Williams
Harland Williams
Harland Williams is a Canadian actor, comedian, author, artist, musician and radio personality.-Personal life:Harland Reesor Williams was born on November 14, 1962, in Toronto, Ontario, to Lorraine , a social worker, and John Reesor Williams, who worked as a member of the Ontario Provincial...
, with whom he spent a lot of time as a child. They released an album together in 2004, as a duo known as The Cousins.
Look People
- More Songs About Hats and Chickens (1989)
- Small Fish, Big Pond (1990)
- Boogazm (1991)
- Crazy Eggs (1993)
Rheostatics
- Music Inspired by the Group of SevenMusic Inspired by the Group of SevenMusic Inspired by the Group of Seven is a 1995 album by Rheostatics.The album was commissioned by the National Gallery of Canada to accompany its Group of Seven retrospective show. The album has twelve pieces, most of which are instrumental music...
(1995) - The Story of HarmelodiaThe Story of HarmelodiaThe Story of Harmelodia is a 1999 album by Rheostatics.Billed as a children's album, the album is a narrative detailing the adventures of Dot and Bug, two children from the land of Harmelodia who fall through a hole into the land of Popopolis...
(1999) - The Whale Music Concert, 1992The Whale Music Concert, 1992The Whale Music Concert, 1992 is a live album by Rheostatics, released on Zunior Records in 2005.The concert was recorded at Toronto, Ontario's Bathurst Street Theatre in 1992, as part of their promotional tour for the Whale Music album...
(2005) - Calling Out the Chords, Vol. 1Calling Out the Chords, Vol. 1Calling Out the Chords, Vol. 1 is a live album by Rheostatics, released on Zunior Records in 2005. It is a collection of live material recorded by soundman Steve Clarkson in 2004 at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, Ontario during the Rheos' Fall National concert series.-Track...
(2005)
Barenaked Ladies
See Barenaked Ladies' discographyBarenaked Ladies discography
The discography of Canadian alternative rock band Barenaked Ladies consists of ten primary studio albums, thirty-one singles, two live albums, a greatest hits compilation, and three video releases...
; Hearn's contributions include releases from 1996 until present.
Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle
- H-WingH-WingH-Wing is the first album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released in 2001, and features the band's original lineup. It was produced by Jeremy Darby, Michael Phillip Wojewoda, and Kevin Hearn. The title of the album comes from a hospital wing Kevin was in while he was being treated for...
(2001) - Night Light (2004)
- The Miracle MileThe Miracle MileThe Miracle Mile is the third album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released in Canada and July 11, 2006. The first single from the album will be "In The Country". This is the band's first album on the Warner Music Canada label...
(2006) - Havana WinterHavana WinterHavana Winter is the fourth album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released on July 30, 2009. Kevin Hearn wrote all of the tracks on the album, which was produced by Hearn and Michael Phillip Wojewoda...
(2009)
External links
- Kevin Hearn official website