Sister Hazel
From Gainesville, Florida, the band Sister Hazel continues to bring some southern rock flavor to the airwaves and CD players of America. But that category would be too limiting for Ken Block, Drew Copeland, Ryan Newell, Mark Trojanowski and Jett Beres, who also seem to have some Pure Prairie League/Eagles influence in their background. This is not your “non-shaving” young band and their wide range of styles shows it.
And yet…and yet, listening to “Mandolin Moon” from Absolutely on Croakin Poets Records, while still giving some indication of the geographical influence, is delightful in its percussion and clean, single-string guitar work. This tune sort of takes things to the wide-open-spaces class. It’s a freshness that’s OK. (This is especially true in “Where Do You Go” from the same CD.)
Judging from the philosophy of spreading good cheer and helping with charity that defines Sister Hazel, the group has found its way “back to the basics,” which apparently was the intention all along. “This Kind Of Love” contains some great keyboard work (piano and organ) that is proof of the band’s status as working, journeymen in a music business that sometimes swallows less grounded musicians.
Sister Hazel takes to the road with shows in South Carolina; the hometown of Gainesville, Florida; North Carolina; New York; Massachusetts; and then on to the Midwest. The tour winds its way back to Florida, ending in January with The Rock Boat festival (sold out in one day, with Better Than Ezra and Collective Soul joining Sister Hazel on the performers list).
Tags: indie music, independent music, indie, music, sister hazel
I think this bands style and influence. The song Grand Canyon has a funky eagles sound to it. They are more of a easy listening type band and I can see why people really enjoy their music. The piano keyboard sound is always good for anyone who enjoys music.
Sister Hazel is a very nice band, I always loved that song “All for you”, it is a great song and reminds me of very nice things. Anyway, nice to see they are still an active band, can’t wait to hear some new songs for Christmas (lol), hope they are still a great band
After hearing them on Myspace, I must say I am a bit impressed. I honestly thought they were just gonna be another run of the mill southern rock band, but they are much more than that. I think the acoustics are beautiful and the the lyrics well written on almost every song. They remind me a bit of Three Doors Down. I would love to see them keep rockin’ on and take their career even further.
Yes, “All of You” is, indeed, a very nice song, killian. I haven’t been what you might call a true-blue “Sister Hazel” fan since there are just so many acts out there to follow, but you can’t help but to like a band that takes its name from a real, kind nun who works at a homeless shelter in Florida.
Love the album cover art, too!