04 August 2023 - 0 Comments

Following the chart success of his #1 Hot NZ single Home, Ōtautahi singer-songwriter Sam Heselwood drops another high-flying track with How’s Heaven, a hauntingly beautiful tribute to his beloved late grandfather.

Says Sam: “I wrote How’s Heaven as a letter to my grandad, who sadly passed away when I was young. It’s an emotional journey, expressing my regret for not having had the chance to know him better. As I’ve grown up, I’ve come to appreciate the significance of his presence in my life, and wish I had the chance to meet him as the person I am today.”

Made with the support of NZ On Air, and recorded at The Piano, Christchurch, How’s Heaven and the upcoming EP was produced by Terence Charles O’Connor with Struan Finlay on mixing and mastering duties.

How’s Heaven is a deeply personal and touching song that cuts straight to the heart, showcasing both Sam’s strong, expressive voice and his unfeigned vulnerability as he sings of this poignant unrealised relationship.

“I understand that while we may be physically separated, his spirit lives on in my thoughts, and I believe that one day, we will reunite. I find solace in the knowledge that he watches over us from heaven. How’s Heaven is my way of honouring his memory and expressing the love and admiration I have for my grandad,” explains Sam.

Sam’s unique story-telling ability is imbued with an indie pop flair reminiscent of and influenced by the likes Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi, serving up music that is warm, intimate, vulnerable and authentic in its deep exploration of universal themes like family, love and mental health.

The rugby player turned songwriter’s songs have accumulated millions of streams to date - including over 1.5 million on single Book Full of Answers; and his music continues to be added to a growing list of featured playlists such as: Spotify’s Coffee + Chill (500k); Spotify’s Fresh Finds (1m); Spotify’s Fresh Finds Pop; Spotify’s Fresh Finds AU & NZ; Spotify’s Get Popped; Spotify’s Pop n’ Fresh; Apple Music’s New Music Daily; Apple Music’s A-List Pop; Apple Music’s New in Pop and numerous others!

And the growing successes continue to stack up with: latest single Home placing #1 on the Hot NZ Singles chart and reaching #24 on the RadioScope Most Added chart; having already featured on the NZ Top 40 and Hot Singles charts with 2022 single 18 placed No.4 on the NZ Hot Singles and No. 29 on the NZ Top 40 Singles charts; starting to receive strong support from mainstream radio (ZM Locals Only, The Edge Nights); and continued back-to-back single funding and support from NZ On Air - further proving that Sam Heselwood is a young talent who is definitely one to watch!

Set to head to the UK early September to tour around for a bit, Sam will perform his last New Zealand show in Auckland, where he will play fan favourites and showcase the new tracks off the upcoming EP Home Is Where The Heart Is.

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