Official Website
Listen to some songs
Award-winning singer/ songwriter/ guitarist/ multi-instrumentalist Heather Lev writes original, whimsical, philosophical, inspiring, and political songs, in styles ranging from folk-rock sing-a-longs, to traditional-sounding bluegrass tunes, to acapella rounds. She has performed at festivals such as the New England Folk Festival (NEFFA), the Northeast Music and Dance Festival (NOMAD), and the Folk Project of New Jersey. Her two releases, "On the Train to Babylon" (2004) and "Reason of Rain" (2000) have received strong reviews and radio play worldwide.
Heather has received many accolades from radio hosts, other performers, critics, and venues. She has won two Great American Song Contest Honor Awards (for "Lost Love & Bad Weather" and "The Village is Haunted"), an Honorable Mention in the 2003 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for "Harlan County" and a Puffin Foundation Award for her Songwriting. Her single, "What Have you Done," was among the top 20 songs of October 2004 on the FOLKDJ-L radio playlists, based on 11963 airplays from 146 different DJs worldwide. Raves include:
"Heather Lev has found the heart of the political folk music of the sixties and brought it up to date, with engaging singing and catchy arrangements, and lyrics perhaps even more forceful and direct than her forbearers would have even considered. This is very evident in "What Have You Done," from her new album. I loved the song immediately." - JD Doyle, Producer of Queer Music Heritage, on KPFT FM, Houston, and Co-Producer of Audiofile, the CD review segment on This Way Out, heard on 150 stations around the world.
"Heather's positive presence and engaging songs were a joy to feature."--Cathedral Arts Festival, Jersey City, NJ;
"These songs are very, very good and need to be heard in the world."--NY Pinewoods Folk Music Club Newsletter CD review.
"Thanks for some very fine politically relevant music." --WRFG
"Bravo!"--Odetta
"Great political songs." --CITR radio show Vancouver, BC/Vancouver Critical Mass.
Heather's songs have been published and quoted in the New York Times, several compilation albums, various publications, and as a soundtrack on a documentary film. Originally from Michigan, Heather Lev has lived in New York City for the last 9 years. Heather sings, and plays guitar, flute, lap dulcimer, ukulele, ukelin (a turn-of-the century bowed psaltry), pennywhistle, and many other odd instruments.
Call 212-465-7415 for bookings or email.
CD Review in the May 2000 NY Pinewoods Folk Music Club Newsletter said, "Reason for Rain is a wonderful recording filled with such comfortable original melodies. It reminds me of just how important and special those ringing, heartfelt and singable tunes can be in our lives. This is an exceptional recording in the great folk tradition-it's really a keeper! These songs are very, very good and need to be heard in the world. Heather sings her songs well and presents them with enchanting harmonies and skillful arrangements. Some tell compelling stories in the folk ballad tradition, some ponder poetically the big mysteries of life, other songs are a call to action. This is a big entertaining collection of fourteen songs that hold up with regular listening."
Quotes:
"HEATHER LEV performs a delightful assortment of her own songs, traditional songs, and songs gleaned from the best of her contemporaries in the folk world. Her confident, yet unassuming stage manner is charming and engaging . Her songs are often characterized by humor and touch on social issues."--The Folk Project's Minstrel Coffeehouse
"Heather Lev has found the heart of the political folk music of the sixties and brought it up to date, with engaging singing and catchy arrangements, and lyrics perhaps even more forceful and direct than her forbearers would have even considered. This is very evident in "What Have You Done," from her new album. I loved the song immediately." - JD Doyle, Producer of Queer Music Heritage, on KPFT FM, Houston, and Co-Producer of Audiofile, the CD review segment on This Way Out, heard on 150 stations around the world.
"Heather's positive presence and engaging songs were a joy to feature."--Cathedral Arts Festival, Jersey City, NJ
"It's amazing that Heather can express herself with as much vulnerability and honesty as she does."
--Radio Station WUWG, Carrollton, Georgia
"These songs are very, very good and need to be heard in the world."--NY Pinewoods Folk Music Club Newsletter
"Bravo!"--Odetta
"Lovely!"--Jean Ritchie
"Thanks for all your great work"--Pete Seeger
"Beautiful voice, great performance."
--Vance Gilbert
"That's a great song"
--Fred Small
"She is one great songwriter" --Matt Jones, Freedom Singer
"Heather infuses fresh creative energy into acoustic music!" --Ray Korona
"Heather Lev is a performer and songwriter who is making honest contributions to the social justice and political folk music repertoire in the US. Her songs speak of things that simply must be spoken. Her use of songwriting as a form of progressive journalism is much needed in this time. She is a true ally to the working people of our great nation."
-Joe Jencks
http://creativecareercounseling.homestead.com/HeatherLevbio.html