Today, acclaimed musician, composer, and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Hearn, shares his new single and accompanying video, “Love Is The Key”, crafted under the vision of award-winning filmmaker Phil Harder. Revered for his work with Barenaked Ladies and an impressive list of collaborators, Hearn’s soulful new track features gorgeous harmonies from esteemed Brooklyn a cappella group The Persuasions, and lead vocals from legendary artist Andy Kim, who will be inducted into the Canadian Songwriter Hall of Fame on October 17.
The song began as a late-night idea in Hearn’s home studio, a simple, heartfelt love song paired with a soulful piano progression. Inspired by the spirit of early rock and roll and classic vocal groups like The Drifters, The Temptations, and The Fleetwoods, Hearn envisioned a track that captured the joy and wonder of feeling love in some of its many different forms.
To bring that vision to life, Hearn invited The Persuasions to join him in New York City, where they recorded their vocals live off the floor. Their unmistakable harmonies inspired the song’s final title, “Love Is The Key”. Additional contributions came from celebrated drummer Tony “Thunder” Smith (Lou Reed), bassist Dean Dinning (Toad the Wet Sprocket), and JUNO-winning producer Eric Ratz, who helped shape and mix the final recording at Noble Street Studios in Toronto.
Kevin Hearn & The Persuasions
The Persuasions’ Dave Revels shared, “We felt a kinship with Kevin from the day we met so many years ago. It has only strengthened through time. When he introduced us to this beautiful song and asked if we would sing on it, the answer was an immediate yes! We are grateful to be a part of his musical journey.”
A pivotal moment came when Hearn shared the track with Andy Kim, whose timeless classic, “Sugar, Sugar”, is referenced in the second verse. Rather than simply offering his blessing, Kim enthusiastically joined the project, lending his unmistakable voice and presence.
“I thought I should send the song to Andy, and hopefully, get his blessing,” shares Hearn. “I included a note saying ‘I hope you get a kick out of this Andy’. To my amazement, he wrote back saying he loved the song and would love to sing it! We went back into the studio, amended the lyric, and once again, the song
was taken to another level. Andy singing it was truly the cherry on top.”
Andy Kim adds, “Every now and then you hear a song that owns you. The melody and lyrics are timeless. ‘Love is the Key’ is Kevin Hearn’s infinite journey to love’s spiritual awakening. I’m forever grateful to sing this song with music’s eternal power, The Persuasions.”
Kevin Hearn and Andy Kim
The new song follows Hearn’s Portland Parish, which arrived earlier this year. Recorded across three evocative locations in Jamaica’s lush and storied Portland Parish, the atmospheric and transportive collection features creaking pianos weathered by time and nature, ambient island soundscapes, and remarkable guest appearances, including a standout by Sun Ra Arkestra’s Michael Ray. Stream Portland Parish HERE.
Hearn recently earned a JUNO Award nomination for “Album Artwork of the Year” for Basement Days, a collection of unearthed recordings from the 1980s, created with his delightfully offbeat high school band, The Glacials.
Portland Parish single, “Wishbone”, also garnered visual accolades for its beautifully crafted stop-motion video by JUNO Award-winning animator Sarah Legault. Premiering on opening night at the Forest City Film Festival, the video has gone on to earn selections at Cinequest, the Berlin Music Video Awards, Montreal’s Courts d’un soir Festival, Cinejoy Film Festival, and was chosen as a finalist at USA Film Festival.
Photo Credit: David Leyes
About Kevin Hearn:
A gifted composer, in-demand collaborator, and ever-active musical force with zero interest in creative stagnancy, Hearn cut his teeth collaborating with the likes of Look People, and revered art-rock outfit Rheostatics before formally joining Barenaked Ladies in 1995. As the group’s profile swelled in the ensuing years, he explored new sonic ground with a series of innovative and imaginative solo albums. One of the most respected and sought-after Toronto musicians of the past 30 years, Hearn’s projects always attract brilliant collaborators including Violent Femmes, Gord Downie, Laurie Anderson, Garth Hudson, Ron Sexsmith, Dan Hill, Michael Ray of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Carole Pope, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Alan Doyle, The Persuasions, Violent Femmes, Colin Hay and drummer Rob Kloet (the Nits).
One of his most rewarding creative and personal relationships of all was with the legendary Lou Reed, for whom Hearn acted as musical director and keyboardist from 2007 until his passing in 2013. Hearn was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2018 as part of Barenaked Ladies. He released his ninth album, the captivating and compelling Calm and Cents, which was nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year at the 2020 JUNO Awards. Hearn also re-released his entire solo catalogue, which dates back to 1997’s debut Mothball Mint, and included a first time digital release of the sold-out 2019 Record Store Day Canada project Kevin Hearn & Friends Present: The Superhero Suite, nominated by the JUNO Awards for Album Artwork of the Year. Hearn’s previous album with Hugh Marsh, Dreaming Of The 80s, is a collection of the decade’s classics hits and deep cuts reimagined in Marsh and Hearn’s uniquely atmospheric and ethereal sonic environment.
The 16th Annual Andy Kim Christmas Special, presented by AIR MILES, which nationally aired on December 19th and December 24th on Citytv, Citytv.com, allowed viewers [,,,]
Today, acclaimed musician, composer, and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Hearn, shares his new single and accompanying video, “Love Is The Key”, crafted under the vision of award-winning filmmaker Phil Harder. Revered for his work with Barenaked Ladies and an impressive list of collaborators, Hearn’s soulful new track features gorgeous harmonies from esteemed Brooklyn a cappella group The Persuasions, and lead vocals from legendary artist Andy Kim, who will be inducted into the Canadian Songwriter Hall of Fame on October 17.
