Patchouli

Famous for that smiling voice that instantly turns a bad day into a good one, Julie Patchouli’s down-to-earth, hopeful, vibrant songwriting is inspirational, positive and makes you feel good. Blending elements of Pop, rock, folk, flamenco, jazz and world beat rhythms Patchouli’s sound has been described as “Joni Mitchell meets the Gypsy Kings”.

If you’ve listened to Public Radio you’ve probably heard “the Woods” Patchouli’s award winning trademark song, which has earned them a permanent place in the hearts of their fans. Patchouli embodies the positive music movement, leaving the listener uplifted, inspiring and smiling.

Bruce Hecksel and Julie Patchouli, lifelong students of music, are both accomplished multi-instrumentalists. Bruce’s post graduate study of theology and symbology, classical study in piano, guitar and composition coupled with Julie’s studies in ethnobotany, environmental studies and her instrumental range from trombone, upright bass, guitar, marimba and percussion allow them to explore, synthesize and contrast world musical styles with deft fluidity and a broad based spiritual undertone. Patchouli has just released their 17th album of all original compositions in the 15 years of performing together.

This duo is renowned as a dynamic group with high- energy acoustic music. Performing inspiring power folk mantras to blazing nuevomenco style pieces on steel
string guitars, their energy and chemistry leaves the audience uniquely uplifted and transformed.

Tireless touring troubadours, Bruce and Julie have performed over 2500 times covering enough ground on the road to equal over 40 times around the earth. An independent success story, Patchouli has truly championed their own rise to prominence in the acoustic world aided by the undying support of thousands of fans, and their boundless joy and energy to play their own music, in their own way.