Sadie and the Hot Heads

Sadie and the Hot Heads

Sadie and the Hot Heads is a folk and acoustic-leaning band built around actress Elizabeth McGovern, who teams up with the Nelson Brothers and other musicians. The group uses original lyrics and a distinctive, idiosyncratic sound, and describes “Sadie” as the part of a person that is uniquely their own.

Recording and style

The band’s first album is I Can Wait. Their music is described as semi-acoustic roots pop with a strong melodic and arranged feel. Comments associated with the album describe the playing as beautiful and the band as difficult to compare with other acts.

Members

Elizabeth McGovern provides the central presence in the group and is also known for work in film, theatre, television and radio. Simon Nelson plays guitar and dobro, has a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology, works as a session musician at venues including the Royal Albert Hall and the O2 Arena, and is one half of the songwriting duo Nelson Brothers. Steve Nelson plays guitar and is the other half of the Nelson Brothers; his debut album Hometown is released in 1993 and re-released in remastered form in 2007, and his song “Stranger To My Heart” appears in the British thriller The Innocent Sleep. Ron Knights plays bass and produces; his background includes cruise ships, West End work, rock festivals and jazz clubs. Rowan Oliver plays drums and percussion and has worked with Goldfrapp and Paul Oakenfold.

Related work and background

Elizabeth McGovern makes her professional debut in Robert Redford’s Ordinary People, then receives an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress for Miloš Forman’s Ragtime. Her later screen credits include Once Upon a Time in America, The Bedroom Window, She’s Having a Baby and Buffalo Soldiers. Simon Nelson has also performed with artists including Joss Stone, Ms. Dynamite, Heather Small, Beverley Knight and Paul Jones. Steve Nelson was previously signed to publishers Windswept Pacific in Los Angeles. Rowan Oliver jokes that he is raised by wolves.