We Speak Music

Heather Ward Reimagines RUSH Classic with Jazz Single “Closer to the Heart” from Debut Album ”Honeysweet”

Published

1 year ago

May 28, 2025

Canadian-born jazz vocalist Heather Ward has released her newest single, a stunning reinterpretation of RUSH’s iconic anthem “Closer to the Heart,” from her recently released debut solo album Honeysweet. This track is not only a creative milestone but also a deeply personal tribute that bridges her musical roots with her artistic present.

The choice to include the RUSH classic was more than a musical decision — it was a nostalgic nod to Heather’s past and the enduring love story that helped inspire Honeysweet. “Dave, my partner, took me to my very first rock concert when I was 15 — it was RUSH, live in a hockey arena in London, Ontario. It doesn’t get more Canadian than that!” she recalls. The concert left a lasting impact, and when Heather began crafting Honeysweet, she knew she wanted to include Canadian content that reflected her formative years. “RUSH was an obvious choice.”

Blending her jazz sensibility with the progressive rock legacy of RUSH, Heather collaborated with her youngest child — a recent graduate of Berklee College of Music — to reharmonize the track. The result is a richly layered, emotionally resonant version of “Closer to the Heart” that stands as one of the album’s standout moments.

Heather Ward has been a beloved figure in Seattle’s jazz, cabaret, and theater scenes since 1997. Though Canadian by birth, she began performing while attending art school and eventually pursued formal music studies at Vancouver Community College and Capilano University, where she earned a degree in Jazz Performance. Her career has included training with jazz greats like Sheila Jordan, Hugh Fraser, and Jay Clayton, and performances at festivals such as Vancouver’s DuMaurier International Jazz Festival.

Heather also teaches private voice lessons as a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and continues to perform throughout Seattle.

“Closer to the Heart” is more than a reinterpretation — it’s a celebration of musical legacy, family collaboration, and heartfelt artistry. With Honeysweet, Heather Ward delivers a debut that is as personal as it is powerful.

Listen to “Closer to the Heart” now on all streaming platforms.
Honeysweet is available everywhere music is streamed or sold.

We Speak Music

Naomi Aguilera casts her spell with her new single BB ILY

Published

2 hours ago

October 16, 2026

Morgan

Two years ago, Naomi Aguilera walked onto my radar with EGO, an infectious soulful pop debut that made it impossible not to move. Fast forward to her debut EP Mosaïques, and it was clear she wasn’t just passing through. Personal, colorful, rooted in her Spanish heritage & Brussels upbringing, it even earned her a spot as Apple Music Benelux’s Up Next artist!

Now she’s back with BB ILY, marking the start of a new era. The bilingual single — French and English — is built around one of the most universal human experiences: that special connection that doesn’t need translation. Where EGO invited you to forget your ex on the dancefloor, BB ILY pulls you somewhere more intimate: with sultry beats courtesy of Turana, it’s a dance where gestures, whispers, sighs and the sound of a voice matters more than the words that come out of it… It’s sensual, a little mystical, and entirely her own.

First taste of Naomi Aguilera’s upcoming project Ojalá, due in 2027, it feels effortlessly catchy. This is the kind of track that casts its spell quietly, with interesting and unexpected rhythmic shifts in the verses, and a delicious chorus that lodges itself in your head before you even notice. By the time you do, it’s too late. But you won’t find me complaining about it!