Next up for the Austin, TX-based quartet are three of this summer's most high profile tours supporting Jenny Lewis, The Decemberists and The Avett Brothers, as well as being invited by Andrew Bird himself to open for him at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and festival performances at Lollapalooza, All Points West, Outside Lands and Austin City Limits. Main Bastard Erika Wennnerstrom and her fantastic new backing band (Dave Colvin on drums, Jesse Ebaugh on bass and Mark Nathan on guitar) are touring in support of the critically acclaimed The Mountain, and garnering new fans and rave reviews at a feverish pace. After the band's set at SXSW this year, the New York Times exclaimed, "Wennerstrom took the stage and knocked everybody down," while Details called her an "unstoppable frontwoman." Rolling Stone hailed, "Wennerstrom finds a softer side on her band's third album -- but still finds time to howl like a 'nads- free Robert Plant."

The Decemberists' guitarist Chris Funk said, "It's been a few years since I've had a voice on repeat in my mind. This voice seems to arrive in my ears while sound checking, often before the shows on a pre-show play list and after shows too -- the songs are just perfect and the band has found their spots behind this incredible woman. A unique and enduring artist arrived into our world once again."

Heartless Bastards recently had the opportunity to record their incendiary live set for the Austin City Limits TV show, which will air nationwide later this fall. The episode pairs them with one of their favorite bands and musical influences, Sonic Youth, and includes a special guest appearance by good friend Alex Maas of The Black Angels recreating with Wennerstrom the classic June Carter and Johnny Cash duet on Tim Hardin's "If I Were A Carpenter."