Sheer Will
The Honest Heart Collective’s Newest Release and Upcoming Tour
Story by Sara Stoppel, Photo by Scott McKay
Deep in the heart of Thunder Bay’s downtown, you’ll find brothers Ryan and Nic MacDonald’s recording studio and jam space, the place where The Honest Heart Collective has spent over a decade making music. Now, the Thunder Bay based band is returning with their newest album Sheer Will, scheduled to release on September 18.
Sheer Will was recorded almost entirely at their studio in Thunder Bay in 2023, with Ryan MacDonald singing and playing guitar, Nic MacDonald on bass, and former band members Jay Savage on drums and Kevin Heerema on guitar. Ryan explains the rock album is a concept piece about “a conversation between two characters,” but also “a record about perseverance.” The album reflects on the way their relationship to music has changed over 13 years of being active as a band. “It’s about walking all the way to the edge, staring down the canyon, and going ‘I’m not done yet,’” he says.
“We’re psyched to put [the record] out,” says Nic. The Sheer Will singles have been steadily released throughout the year, with the most recent track drop being “Don’t Bother” on August 20. They’re equally excited about the music videos that have been accompanying the songs, including the one to go along with the aforementioned track.
The Honest Heart Collective has a busy schedule to look forward to. Along with the singles, music videos, and the introduction of newly recruited drummer Rob Shipway, their tour schedule is packed with shows.
“We got a cross-Canada [tour] coming up,” Ryan MacDonald says. The tour starts in Sudbury, before moving through Toronto, Montreal, and the West Coast, and eventually making their way back to Thunder Bay. The group will play The Foundry on October 24, capping off the tour at what Nic calls their “homebase.”
“Tour rules,” he says. “When you’re on tour, you're so dialed in and focused and the band gets really tight. When you're three shows in you feel so confident and you get to do it again and again. You feel like you’re out there with a purpose.” His brother Ryan adds, “There’s really nothing like playing Thunder Bay.”
After over a decade of jamming, performing, and releasing music, The Honest Heart Collective continues to be a cornerstone in the local scene, simply by their love of music and sheer will.
Listen to their album on all streaming platforms and catch them live at The Foundry on October 24.
