Bruce Hecksel’s primary instrument is acoustic guitar. In addition to intense study in many styles from fingerstlye, flamenco, classical, jazz, flat picking, and folk, he studied concert piano, choral compositions and plays bass guitar and percussion on stage. But Bruce started his guitar adventure in a punk rock band named Be Safe Be Seen. At a Canadian music festival in 1991 his electric guitar and amp were stolen and he was left with only his acoustic guitar, which he took as a sign and never played an electric guitar again.

As lyricist and lead vocalist of Patchouli, Julie’s background is in words. She began reciting poetry when she was seven. She walked around with her steno notepad and recorded all her observations of her young life. Dabbling in violin, drums, and trombone throughout school she worked many of her poems into acapella pieces that she and friends would perform.

When she and Bruce met they put the poetry to music and Patchouli began. Julie now plays multiple instruments on and off stage 6& 12 string guitars, upright bass marimbas, flutes and hand drums.

Bruce Hecksel and Julie Patchouli are a songwriting powerhouse duo with 12 CD’s, over 1800 performances, over half a million miles touring under their belts. Their contagious onstage chemistry coupled with formidable instrumental prowess has made them a favorite nationwide. Patchouli has had had music in films, performed on TV and their music can be heard on radio around the world.