Zack Hexum
This young L.A. musician is putting out some unusual sounds, in that there is country-rock in "Beyond My Means" (Open To Close 2007 What Have You), along with some straightforward country and just a nice piece of folk. What is surprising with this one tune is that Hexum lists The Beatles, Wilco, The Police, Wayne Shorter, The Beach Boys, Jason Falkner, Stevie Wonder, Elliott Smith, Steely Dan, David Bowie, Beck and Radiohead as major influences. The list doesn’t include any truly folk/country artists.
Then comes "Little City Driver" from the same collection. The listener gets a completely different feel. Perhaps it would be best to stop trying to categorize new music. (Yeah right!) In the decades of popular music and popular music reviews, very few have been able to resist the temptation to put artists and musicians in convenient cubbyholes.
Try out "Work of Art" (Realistic Fantasy 2005 What Have You) to get another taste of acoustic work that pre-dates some of the current balladeers by a couple of years. Or check in with "How Many Times" The Story So Far 2006 What Have You). Hexum is a veteran on the indie music scene, with songwriting efforts reaching back several years. Look for him around the Golden State.
Tags: indie, Zack Hexum, independent music, music, indie music
I normally like acoustic folk, but I have just heard so many greats that it really has to be an attention grabber to get a rave review from me. Zach Hexum is just “ok” to me, but when I heard “Little City Driver” I changed my mind. He definitely has something there, and his lyrics are definitely something to take notice of.
I was grabbed from the first song in his MySpace profile (Beyond My Means) and I’m glad I was, because I tend to like acoustic guitar/vocalists who don’t go for the “scream-o” so prevalent in indie music, particularly the male-only “rock bands.” Very good playing, guitar-wise, and his singing is awesome.
I think he is not doing justice to music and has just released his album because some one sponsored and did not keep a condition of good music. He is so casual about his music. I think he should practice more as when he sings it seems as if a noob is performing for the first time.
Great music! Right up my alley. I think he sounds a bit inexperienced but hopefully it is because he really is and he will get better with time.