Killing Heidi is heading to the Toronto Hotel later this month as part of the Wild Turkey Music 101 pub tour, and spending some time with support act Piper Butcher as part of the tour’s mentorship program.
The tour celebrates the 101 Greatest Pub Songs of All Time, with Ella and Jesse Hooper mixing Killing Heidi favourites like Weir and Mascara with a hand-picked selection of pub classics.
For the brother and sister duo who front Killing Heidi, revisiting the pub circuit is all about stripping it back to where Aussie rock has always thrived.
“Some of Australia’s greatest musical legends cut their teeth in pubs,” Ella told Newcastle Live.
“There’s something magical about the connection between artist and audience in a pub setting. It’s raw, honest, and utterly authentic. That’s what we want to tap into with this tour.”
“We kind of do our core Killing Heidi set – all the singles and a few favourites – and then we’ve been having a lot of fun learning the covers. It’s been great to revisit songs we grew up with, songs everybody can sing along to,” Jesse added.
The Wild Turkey Music 101 program isn’t just about sing-alongs, though – it’s also about passing the torch to the next generation.
Five emerging artists have been chosen to support Killing Heidi across the tour, with Newcastle’s own Piper Butcher not only opening the show, but also performing a cover live on stage with the band.
Mentorship has become an important part of the Hoopers’ journey. Jesse, who teaches at a music college in Melbourne, said it’s a chance to provide the kind of support they didn’t have coming through the ranks.
“We learned a lot of things through the school of hard knocks,” he said.
“Back in the late ’90s, there wasn’t much industry mentoring, so to be able to give constructive advice now – to help someone like Piper maybe avoid some of those delays or frustrations – is enjoyable.”
Ella agreed, saying the shift in culture has made it easier for young artists to thrive.
“We didn’t have that support back then, but these days, knowledge is more easily shared and the industry feels more emotionally literate. Kids are more empowered; they’re not as attracted to the old rock clichés. Clean living and getting things done is in – and that’s only a good thing for the future of Aussie music.”
For Killing Heidi, the balance of nostalgia and growth has kept the fire alive.
“The songs are the same, they’re the ones people know and love, and that’s why they keep coming,” Jesse said.
“But the way we play them has changed. The arrangements have more dynamic, more flair, and with backing vocals and keys added in, it’s like the future version of these songs. Still the same dish, just with deeper flavours.”
Killing Heidi will hit the Toronto Hotel on Saturday, 30 August as part of the Wild Turkey Music 101 pub tour with Piper Butcher. Tickets are on sale now at wildturkeymusic.com.au.
