Pretend Sweethearts

Portland's marvelous tantric trickster twins make harmony-drenched americana folk imbued with mystic musings and molten anarchist people power.

With influences ranging from the traditional and anonymous folk songs of old to trip hop and classic rock, the Sweethearts’ blend is rich and delicious. Some fans liken them to Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, others to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, while a recent reviewer said “[her] honeyed vocals and [his] smooth crooning create wonderful harmonies together, with well-crafted arrangements, and skillfull musicianship…” Popatunes, June, 2013.

The two trade off on guitars, piano and pedal steel, while locking in tight harmonies reminiscent of the Jayhawks or The Civil Wars.

Like gin and juice, like a razor and a boot, like lightning and the mountaintop, the uniting of powerful forces brings magic, storms and intoxication. The Sweethearts see visions and use music as medicine. The duo spent their first year together calling themselves Vagabond & Tramp, but found themselves more compelled by the ambiguous nature of their relationship. They’ve played the standard bill of dive bars and coffee shops, but take much more pride in their compassionate service work, performing for elders in retirement homes, community sing-alongs and for prisoners behind bars.