The Heartstrings Project - shadow people (2020)

The Heartstrings Project came to be when Chicago native Wygodny and his brother, Elias, joined forces with Broadway performer Marina Pires, meeting through their ventures as actors in Manhattan. The band, whose name comes from the mantra that they “gravitate towards the music that comes out of (their) hearts,” now consists of the Wygodny brothers and Pires on vocals, alongside keyboardist Peter Spero and cellist Sam Quiggins.

“It was a way to come together and to create a collaborative space outside of the grind and the hustle of New York City, which can be so depleting of all creative energy,” Wygodny explained.

Heartstrings Project’s music is shaped by the influence of folk legends, including Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens and Bob Dylan. Preferring the intimate, fuzzy sound of acoustic folk over complex production, their sound features the crackle of vinyl and gentle vocals, an ambiance that Wygodny describes as “the music of the earth.” Their upcoming single, “am,” exemplifies this spirit, crafting a song that oozes the warmth of a reassuring hug, while keeping the universal appeal of the folk genre.