Heelers

Rooted in the high-art traditions of post-grunge and garage rock, Heelers is the project of Utah-based multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter Tyrus Watson. Formed in 2016, Heelers has pushed the garage sound towards a decidedly emo aesthetic, taking cues from the likes of Manchester Orchestra, Third Eye Blind, and Jimmy Eat World. Listen closely - the Heelers sound fuses singable hooks, crunchy chords, and well placed harmony in a fresh-yet-familiar way. Over four albums Watson has honed his craft as a homebound, one-man production professional with frequent collaboration and help of friends. Heelers is back with "Going Home" in June, 2021. For updates, you can follow the band on social media https://www.facebook.com/Heelers on Facebook, https://www.instagram.com/heelersmusic/ on Instagram. 

A barn in Pennsylvania, a beach house in Connecticut, a garage in Arizona, a basement in Utah. In each, Watson has jammed out chords on a downtuned classical guitar, recorded to his phone, to sketch out new songs as Heelers. 2016’s Heelers features some of his earliest songwriting, with a raw desert vibe and guitar landscapes crafted by lifelong friend John Hollister. 2017’s Songs We Wish We Wrote is a collection of covers that takes five of Tyrus’ favorite childhood radio staples in a new direction, with more experimentation in texture and arrangement than the versions he and his mom listened to in the family van. 2020’s The Basement Series saw the release of twelve tracks over the course of a year, spanning a wider range of styles, lyrical themes, and recording approaches than previous releases. Written and recorded after moving to Utah, Basement is also the first release to feature tracks performed completely by Watson. Late 2020 EP Don 3:16 proved to be another left turn for Heelers, putting down the electric guitars to pick up acoustics, building ethereal textures by throwing voices and instruments through effects pedals, and crafting songs focused on the troubles of 2020. Collaborators Nikki Keister-Hornig (violin), Jack Chappen (guitar) and Doug Foley (songwriting) ensure this is not a simple acoustic release. In March 2021 Heelers dropped Ruston, the first of a series of singles planned for the year.