Heathers Releases Debut Album Awesome on Warner Records
Heathers, the project of 23-year-old Heath Michael Thomas, released his debut album Awesome on October 30 via Warner Records. Apple Music lists it at 14 tracks and 36 minutes, 40 seconds. The label's release says he has also signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music, the publishing arm of Warner Music Group.
From Cape Girardeau to Warner
The release traces Heathers back to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where Thomas started on his father's guitars and home-recording setup at age 11. He played in bands through high school before starting his own project. The name, per the release, comes from both a Surf Curse song and the teen black comedy Heathers.
Much of Awesome was recorded at home. For the album he brought in engineer Lars Stalfors, whose credits the release lists as Wisp and The Mars Volta, to "preserve the raw, immediate quality of his original recordings while bringing greater definition to their sound." The label's release calls it a debut "driven by high-energy rock, hook-heavy melodies, and raw instrumentation." Thomas keeps his own pitch short. "I write about what makes me angry, because it's what makes me human," he says in the release.
The singles and the tracklist
Four songs reached listeners before the album did. "Bite" came out June 10 and "Drive/Park" on July 29, per Apple. The release says "Drive/Park" was featured in Pitchfork's Selects playlist. "I Believe in You" followed on August 27 and the title track on September 25, according to the album listing.
The album opens with "Oh Yeah," a 46-second track, then runs through "Carry On," "I Believe in You" and "Awesome." It closes with "The Loop" and "Forever hang," which lasts just over a minute. Fourteen songs in under 37 minutes is a lean way to introduce yourself.
Heathers tour dates
Heathers played The Oblivion in Los Angeles on October 30 to mark the release. He then joins Inner Wave for four dates before three headline shows in the new year. These are the dates listed in the release:
- October 30: Los Angeles, The Oblivion
- November 2: Flagstaff, Orpheum Theatre (supporting Inner Wave)
- November 3: Tucson, La Rosa (supporting Inner Wave)
- November 4: Pioneertown, Pappy & Harriet's (supporting Inner Wave)
- November 5: Ventura, Ventura Music Hall (supporting Inner Wave)
- January 21: Los Angeles, The Echo
- January 23: Chicago, Schubas
- January 27: Brooklyn, Union Pool
Awesome is streaming now. Start with the title track.