click on a photo for individual band member info
Adam Kinghorn guitar, banjo, vocals	Joe Lessard fiddle, beatbox, vocals	Matt Loewen bass, clarient, vocals	Mike Chappell mandolin, vocals

Head for the Hills: New Album and Tour

"Head for the Hills is a talented group of musicians on the cutting edge. Listeners will fully enjoy this unique sound"
-Drew Emmitt (Leftover Salmon)

“Their sundry blend of ancestral bluegrass, moving harmonies, & original composition, creates a sound nothing short of exceptional.”
- Stray Pickers Magazine

“Head for the Hills is a youthful bright spot in acoustic music”
- Mike Bookey, The Source Weekly-Bend, OR

“Decorated with a modern, melodic vibe…endearing”
- Ben Salmon, The Bulletin-Bend, OR

"Working with Head For The Hills was a great privilege.  To experience such brilliant songs performed so well and with so much positive energy was a truly wonderful experience.  They are the perfect acoustic band to record to DSD and their positive energy can be experienced by anyone listening to the album. The songs are excellent and will be with me forever."
-Gus Skinas, Super Audio Center / Sonoma Systems (Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, George Harrison)

Rooted in the tradition of bluegrass, the music of Head for the Hills is a vibrant mixture of homegrown compositions, traditional harmonies, and an innovative approach to improvisation. The group’s lyrical nature and songwriting seems to evoke reminiscent feelings of inspiration. In the live setting, Head for the Hills can venture into a myriad of musical styles and sonic landscapes that caters to a boundless array of listeners.

Head for the Hills is poised to announce the release of their sophomore studio effort, aptly entitled "Head for the Hills." This endearing release captures the true essence of the consistently evolving group. Nestled deep in the mountains of Colorado, in Bill Nershi's Sleeping Giant Studios, the quartet began a musical journey.

What transpired was a thoughtful and dynamic time-piece that captures the essence of their awe-inspiring live performance. Head for the Hills continues to garner increased attention all across the country. There is no telling what successes lay ahead for these talented musicians.

To get a sense of Head for the Hills’ snowballing momentum, look no further than the surrounding talent on their self-titled sophomore release, Head for the Hills. The six-year old pickers attracted heavyweights like longtime jamband and bluegrass vet, Drew Emmitt (Leftover Salmon) as their producer who took them up to Bill Nershi’s Sleeping Giant studio to record -- where he and Emmitt recently laid down their own release, New Country Blues. Studio engineer Gus Skinas worked the knobs, who boasts a particularly intriguing CV having digitally remastered Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon; helped Sony develop the early iterations digital audio; and invented an innovative multi-tracker called Sonoma that combines the warmth of analog with the ease and efficiency of digital. In addition, Vance Powell -- who adorns his mantle with a Grammy for his work on the Raconteurs wildly successful Consolers of the Lonely album -- mixed the record. Finally, the recent studio release benefits not only from guest picking and vocals from Nershi and Emmitt, but also Anders Beck of another group of burgeoning picksmiths, Greensky Bluegrass . In addition Kyle James Hauser (Gregory Alan Isakov) and James Thomas supply their talnts on banjo and Keyboards.


The new self titled, release is now available via H4TH’s website. The album has been receiving amazing recognition and is spreading coast to coast. The album peaked at #111 on the CMJ TOP 200 Radio Listings nationally.  The band is poised to begin the next chapter of their youthful existence.

2008 and 2009 have seen the band touring heavily. The band embarked on a massive national tour of theaters, amphitheatres, and high profile music festivals, including: Wakarusa Music Festival, Northwest String Summit, Green Apple Music Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival (Night Grass Series), Mulberry Mountain Harvest Festival, Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival, Yarmony Grass Music Festival, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion and many more.

The band is also heavily interfaced in charitable efforts. Head for the Hills is proud to partner with Conscious Alliance, a Boulder, CO based non-profit group, and their mission to fight hunger in Native America. A limited edition “Head for the Hills 2009 Commemorative Poster” by Rob Marx will be available at all 2009 performances while supplies last. Proceeds from the poster will go to benefit Conscious Alliance and their valuable efforts.

The shared vision amongst the members of Head for the Hills is not only to carry on the spirit of bluegrass, but also to expand the general definition as we venture through the post-traditional bluegrass era. Head for the Hills draws significant inspiration from the sounds of the bluegrass forefathers such as John Hartford, David Grisman, or Bill Monroe, but also appeals to anybody who enjoys experiencing the excitement, innovation, or element of youth that is incorporated into each and every performance.

After several career defining sold out performances in Fort Collins, CO, performing to capacity crowds in Colorado & beyond, consistent national touring, and appearances at music festivals around the country, this quartet is emerging as a mainstay in the roots music community.

The foundation of Head for the Hills stretches back several years to the mountain town of Golden, Colorado, but the current lineup prefers to call Fort Collins, Colorado their home. In their short but prosperous career, Head for the Hills has performed, supported, & shared programming with such notable acts as: David Grisman, Sam Bush, Leftover Salmon, The Flaming Lips, Bruce Hornsby, Yonder Mountain String Band, Emmylou Harris Nickel Creek, Tim O’Brien, Peter Rowan, Doc Watson, and Railroad Earth among many others.

2007 was a huge year for the quartet as they were the named winners of Yonder Mt. String Band’s 2007 Northwest String Summit Band Completion held at Horning’s Hideout in North Plains, OR. In addition they completed their debut album, Robber’s Roost, produced by Grammy Award Winning musician/producer Sally Van Meter (Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, and Yonder Mountain String Band).

For their debut studio effort entitled, “Robber’s Roost,” Head for the Hills joined forces with the talented and revered producer/performer Sally Van Meter. Ms. Van Meter, among her impressive list of accomplishments, is credited for her 1994 Grammy Award Winning work on The Great

Dobro Sessions as well as her work with Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan, and David Grisman on The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers- A Tribute. In addition, she has produced albums and recordings for several artists including Yonder Mountain String Band and Open Road Bluegrass.

David Glasser (Airshow Mastering) joined Head for the Hills in the mastering process of “Robber’s Roost.” Glasser’s credits include two Grammy’s for his work on the culturally significant: Anthology of American Folk Music (1997), and Screamin’ and Hollerin’ the Blues: The Worlds of Charley Patton (2002). Glasser has also mastered over 60 Grammy nominated records.

On “Robber’s Roost”, one can expect a collection of organic compositions ranging from traditional stylings to the progressive sound that has come to define these young musicians.

Many respected avenues have sighted Head for the Hills as the next breath of fresh air to emerge from the acoustic realm. With direction from a Grammy award winning musician and an ever-evolving approach to progressive acoustic music, there is no telling what successes lay ahead for this group of talented musicians.

For more information, promotional materials, media or to request a band interview, visit Head for the Hills official band website http://HeadfortheHillsMusic.com.

(Sean MacAskill and Ryan Dembinsky)

Head for the Hills is:
Adam Kinghorn- Guitar, Vocals
Joe Lessard- Fiddle, Vocals
Matt Loewen- Bass, Vocals
Mike Chappell- Mandolin

Publicity Contact:
Sean MacAskill
PH: (970)420-1278
Livemountainmusic@gmail.com