Southern California punk band Heartwells returns with Ollie—a dynamic new 6-song EP, out July 8 via Hey!Fever Records. Packed with raw emotion, tight musicianship, and skatepunk energy, Ollie is the band’s most personal and fully realized release to date.
“This record is extremely sentimental and personal to me,” says Heartwells’s JT, who wrote what he calls “probably the saddest song I’ve ever written” about his father. “We feel we’ve come a long way since our last release. The chemistry and dynamic of the band really shine on this EP—it feels like a full-length record in just six songs.”
Following up their fan-favorite The New Old School, the band put everything on the table to push themselves further. Two songs were written in the studio on the spot, with band members creating their parts without hearing the songs beforehand—an approach that was “both exciting and stressful,” according to JT.
Recorded at Buzzbomb Studios in Orange, CA with longtime producer Paul Miner, the EP benefits from a collaborative energy and veteran production touch. “Paul has been our guiding light from the start,” JT says. “He really stepped up as a producer on this one, helping bring out the full potential of every song.” The EP was mastered by Chris Hesse of Hoobastank, giving Ollie its polished yet punchy final sound.
The title Ollie is a nod to both the band’s skatepunk roots and the adorable dog featured on the cover—Moki’s pup, Ollie. It’s a playful visual for a record that dives deep into themes of personal struggle, fractured relationships, family dynamics, and social unrest. “It’s a pretty dark record,” JT explains, “but it has a lot of bright energy. I figured putting a cute dog on the cover would balance it out.”
With its mix of urgency, honesty, and melodic grit, Ollie marks a major leap forward for Heartwells—and the band isn’t slowing down.
HEARTWELLS TOUR DATES:
July 6 – Long Beach, CA @ Alex’s Bar (EP Release Show w/ Mad Tab, Hoist The Colors)
August 13 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Offbeat (w/ Stoke Signals)
August 14 – Bakersfield, CA @ Grumpy’s Brewing Co. (w/ Stoke Signals)
August 15 – Crockett, CA @ Toot’s Tavern (w/ Stoke Signals)
August 16 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Christa’s Bar (w/ Stoke Signals)
October 25– Gainesville, FL FEST 23
Ollie is out July 8 via Hey!Fever Records on all digital platforms.
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