Julie and Bruce Hecksel are multitalented musicians with an appreciation for whimsy. This playfulness entertains them on long roads between venues. They made up a “fake village” as their hometown–Thanksenhausen–and hand out mini bumper stickers to anyone who wishes one. Travel companions include several puppets: Leonardo da Vinci; Albert Einstein with a lightbulb; a giraffe, tree, mouse, and bear; “some that look like us,” according to Bruce. In defense of their collection Julie said, “You have to do something when you spend twelve hours in the car!”
A grueling travel circuit ranges from Minnesota to Florida, with Iowa and Wisconsin sprinkled in, and includes several Illinois stops. The pair has been to Morrison, IL, a handful of times, at the urging of their devoted fans, Jim and Janet Fisher. But an additional reason was suggested by Bruce. “It feels like home.” He said Morrison reminds him of the small towns in which his parents lived.
He added, “We write songs, and they come from the place” where they are; hence, too, his artwork. Prints, original paintings, postcards, album covers, and the guitar-maze t-shirt all reflect his vision. One whimsical theme uses squiggly guitars to design hills, rivers, trees, Julie’s body, Chicago, a swan, and the dragonfly that graces their new CD of the same title.
“Dragonfly” is one of five nominees as Best Instrumental Acoustic Album of 2013 by Zone Music Reporter. The same year saw their vocal album “Anything is Possible” win an award. The Hecksels will attend the ZMR award ceremony on Saturday, May 17, in New Orleans, LA. The selection puts “Dragonfly” among the top five acoustic instrumentals. Should they win the category, they will return next year to perform. Additionally, “Dragonfly” now is ranked number 5 on World Radio charts!
Although their guitars are amplified, they deliver “all live music for you right here,” stated Julie. The audience applauded in appreciation. Lucky listeners were treated to a stirring concert in the City of Morrison Community Room of the Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison Street. Local Don Miller said, “Patchouli is fragrance set to music.”
The Hecksels have created two overlapping bands to focus their dual talents. Vocals dominate in “Patchouli,” while “Terra Guitarra” is the domain of instrumentals that Bruce dubbed “nuevo-menco.” His guitar style translates aptly as “new flamenco.” Pulsing rhythms and jazzy riffs carry you along, as his fingers fly up and down the strings–lingering at the bottom to pick bright tones that resemble a steel-mandolin. Julie’s vocals are nuanced and warmly expressive.
Vocally, he said they “love Folk Revival music.” She said, “We weren’t there [decades ago when Folk music reigned], but we were born into it.”
The evening ended on a lively participatory note, with audience members using a stockpile of percussion instruments Julie supplied. Gerald Grimm had a solo on the conga. Others played tambourines, bells, frogs, and various shakers to accompany Julie and Bruce.