The Heists

The Heists bring bluegrass drive, country emotion, and old time groove to their original Alaskan folk music. Known for their toe-curling country and bluegrass harmonies, Erin and Andrew Heist share songs and stories from decades of experience playing the bars and backrooms of Alaska’s tight-knit communities, from Juneau to Bethel to Salmonfest to Fairbanks, and all along the Milk Run.

The Heists’ debut EP “Break and Mend” will be released July 30, 2026. With songs that range from a meditation on the long reach of war in “Break and Mend” (1st single out June 5, 2026) to a folk re-telling of the 1917 collapse of the Treadwell Gold Mine in “Farewell Old Treadwell” to the peppy self-pep-talk of “Buck-up Buttercup” (second single out July 1) these six songs demonstrate the range and depth of this super-powered duo.

Recorded in March at Anchorage’s Frostline Studios by Derek Huakaas, The Heists’ original songs shine through the full live-band takes of Erin Heist on vocals and guitar; Andrew Heist on vocals, mandolin and guitar; Patrick M’Gonigle (Lonely Heartstring Band) playing fiddle; Jay Marvin (Big Chimney Barn Dance) playing bluegrass banjo; and Danny Booth (Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen) on bass.

Erin and Andrew are musicians who build community wherever they go. Each has served as a past board president for their hometown festival The Alaska Folk Festival (Erin from 2013-2018 and Andrew from 2019-2025). And both are founding members of the Muskeg Collective, a songwriter collective and co-op label based in Juneau Alaska which also includes Annie Bartholomew, Josh Fortenbery, and Taylor Vidic.

Erin Heist is the 2025 recipient of the Kathy Kolkhorst Rudy Innovation in the Arts Award from the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council for her work on producing unique music events and community gatherings in Juneau, Alaska. Erin was also selected as a 2025 Connie Boochever Fellow. The Heists are 2025 recipients of a Rasmuson Foundation individual artist award and a Juneau Community Foundation individual artist award. The song “Farewell Old Treadwell” was funded in part by a 2025 Juneau History Grant administered by the Juneau-Douglas City Museum with funding from the Friends of the Juneau-Douglas City Museum and the Juneau Community Foundation.

A live field recording of “Seasons Turn”. Track 6 of The Heists’ debut EP “Break & Mend”.

A live stream-capture of The Heists performing “Farewell Old Treadwell” at the 51st Alaska Folk Festival in April 2026. Track 3 of The Heists’ debut EP “Break & Mend”.

The Heists - Break & Mend - Tracks & Credits

First single “Break & Mend” - June 5, 2026

Second single “Buck-up Buttercup” - July 1, 2026

Full EP Released - July 30, 2026

Erin Heist - guitar, vocals

Andrew Heist - mandolin, guitar, vocals

Danny Booth - bass

Jay Marvin - banjo

Patrick M’Gonigle - fiddle

Produced by Patrick M’Gonigle

  1. BREAK & MEND:Thoughtful & sweeping narrative folk song, guitar (Andrew), fiddle, banjo, bass and harmony vocals. This is the first song co-written by Erin & Andrew Heist to be recorded and released as The Heists. Inspired by the stories of three men in Erin’s life who she has loved deeply and who have all been marked by war. In Alaska, the natural world can serve as a healing refuge, while also a place that can quickly turn life-threatening. It’s a place that doesn’t judge you, or weigh your deeds, it can make you feel both expansive and minute, it can break you as well as mend you.

    Break & Mend - Single release date June 5, 2026

  2. BUCK-UP BUTTERCUP:Upbeat stringband swinging blues, guitar (Erin), mandolin, fiddle, banjo, bass, and harmony vocals. Written by Erin Heist during the news of the protests and killings during the ICE occupation in Minneapolis. With family roots in Minnesota, and a long family tradition of service, Erin wrote this song as a pep-talk to herself to try to not let the news overwhelm and instead turn that sense of dread into a sense of purpose. “We gotta get to work.”

  3. FAREWELL OLD TREADWELL:Narrative folk song in the tradition of mining disaster songs, guitar (Erin), mandolin, fiddle, banjo, bass, and harmony vocals. Written by Erin Heist, this song takes the tradition of mining disaster songs and delivers the first song of this style set in Alaska, commemorating the collapse of the Treadwell Gold Mine in 1917. At the time of collapse Treadwell was the largest gold mine in the world. The ruins of this mine are now overgrown by the rainforest of Southeast Alaska, but the iconic Treadwell dock pumphouse can still be seen by every cruise ship passenger who visits Juneau. Written for the Juneau-Douglas City Museum.

  4. IN THE MEANTIME:Fast-paced upbeat traditional bluegrass, guitar (Erin), mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and harmony vocals. Erin’s love for traditional bluegrass comes out in this original song that sounds like it has existed in the cannon for decades. The full band shines with sparkling banjo, driving mandolin, and greasy fiddle..

  5. ROVING ON A WINTER’S NIGHT: Stripped back folk, cross-picked acoustic guitar and full length vocal duet. A beloved favorite of Andrew and Erin Heist and a regular part of their duo shows, this traditional song shows off the unique texture and blend of their voices. Andrew Heist’s cross-picking brings out the warmth and beauty of the 1936 Martin D28 loaned by Mike Mickelson (Bearfoot) for this session.

    Roving on a Winter’s

  6. SEASONS TURN:Folk song with old-time groove, guitar (Erin), mandolin, fiddle, banjo, bass and harmony vocals. Shortly after writing this song Erin quit her career in public service to start a new “season” of her life. Inspired by the way every Alaskan always seems to be looking toward the next season and the habit we all have of thinking that the grass is greener.

Recorded March 18-20, 2026 at Frostline Studios in Anchorage, Alaska

Engineered by Derek Haukaas

Mixed by Joe DeJarnette (Studio 808A)