Claire Heywood
Full Length Album - Coming 2023
Claire Heywood is an indie songwriter with an unmistakable smoky voice and a literary-leaning approach to lyric writing. Heywood's music has been featured by Colorado Public Radio, Out Front Magazine, Country Queer, and Two Story Melody. One of the Colorado-based 2022 recipients of the Sonic Guild Grant, Heywood is currently using her grant to record a full-length album with producer Matt Hoffman (Strange Americans, The New Mexican, Ellsworth).
After playing solo sets for small listening audiences alongside poets, comedians, and writers in Denver for several years, Heywood released an EP titled "The Wind, It Howls" to a packed house at since-closed Syntax Physic Opera in March 2019. In a review, CULTURE Magazine wrote, "Heywood saunters through six tracks that have a simple beauty to them. An exemplary debut, definitely one to keep an eye out for." Heywood followed with sets at Indie 102.3 Sessions, Headroom Sessions, Underground Music Showcase, Westword Music Showcase, and opened for beloved Colorado-based acts like Esme Patterson and The Velveteers.
From 2020-2021, Heywood released four singles: "Python," "Letter Day," "I Won't Resign My Love For That Old Dream," and "Crushed Lemons." The songs were recorded with producer Michael Sandoval and saw Heywood take on new roles as a rhythm guitarist and co-producer.
"Singer-songwriter Claire Heywood is first and foremost a poet. After only a few years, she's established herself in the Denver music scene. 303 Magazine calls her "a voice that refuses to go unnoticed." -CPR NEWS
"Heywood’s beautifully raspy and deliberate vibrato conveys emotion in a manner that even seasoned veterans struggle to achieve."
303 Magazine
A poet as well as a songwriter, Denver-based artist Claire Heywood makes the kind of propulsive Americana music that plays well at festivals. Her lyrics are evocative and imagistic, which reflects both her literary background and her musical influences. These include Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, and Lucinda Williams, the latter of whom’s presence is especially felt on the gothic-tinged “Old Soul’s Motel.” -Country Queer
Claire is a mellow and quiet performer, but again, that power in her voice and songs comes through during the whole show. It’s almost like she doesn’t understand how wonderful her songs are, yet she exudes that confidence of an old soul. Her new single, “Crushed Lemons,” is the kind of song you can play on repeat and never get tired of it. I’ll be first in line for her 2022 shows. Greeblehaus