Headlong Hearts Bio
HEADLONG HEARTS
Headlong Hearts has been crafting and performing original songs with stacked harmony vocals and intricate instrumentation since 2017 in this solidified lineup. Their live show includes songs delivered on violin, banjo, mandolin, guitars, bass and drums. Headlong Hearts’ musical roots run deep: Mark and Hugh gigged together in high school; Matt B and Brad toured throughout Europe in The Paperboys; and Brad, Hugh and Matt K were in the Mountain Bluebirds bluegrass band in the early 2000s. They’re a crack unit of seasoned pros, known for their live shows that inspire audiences with their lyrics, their melodies, their playing, their stage humour, and their songs' emotional depth. A western Canadian favourite at concerts, festivals and events, Headlong Hearts' debut all-original record What We Call Forever appeared in 2022 which was followed up by Creatures of Habit in 2025.
Meet The Band
Matt Kennedy
Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
Matt plays guitar and mandolin, sings, and starts a lot of the song songs in Headlong Hearts' repertoire. He has an intimate knowledge of fish biology and a keen ear for melody. (Photo: @photosbysofiamarie)
Brad Gillard
Banjo, Mandolin, Guitars, Vocals
Brad has been a member of westcoast bands Clambake, The Clumsy Lovers, Mountain Bluebirds, and Juno winners The Paperboys. Raised playing drums and cello, he can operate most things with strings. (Photo: @photosbysofiamarie)
Hugh Ellenwood
Violin, Vocals
A bon vivant and Headlong Hearts' resident scholar, Hugh plays the violin like a man possessed and sings in a deep baritone down where few can reach. Hugh also writes great songs like fan favourite Canadian Shield just for one! (Photo: @photosbysofiamarie)
Mark Henning
Bass, Keys, Vocals
Steeped in performing live, including the rock band Pure, Mark has decades of experience writing, touring, studio engineering, and music and video production. He also leads the Vancouver indie-pop band Combine the Victorious. (Photo: Colin Goldie)
Matt Brain
Drums, Percussion, Vocals
A drummer and percussionist with great taste and touch, Matt has provided his talents to top West Coast artists like the legend Valdy and bands like The Grapes of Wrath, The Paperboys, and currently the Daryl Chonka Band.
all individual photos above courtesy of Sean McGuire