Sister Hazel – Elements

By starrymag | May 15, 2020

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

Q) What was the reasoning behind naming this compilation album Elements and how did you come to the decision on which songs were delegated to each EP for “Earth, Air, Fire, & Water?”

 

A) When we went into the studio to record all that we really knew at the time was that we wanted to put out music a little quicker and decided to go the EP route.  The idea developed pretty organically as we were discussing how many of these EP’s we wanted to put out.  We ambitiously set out to put one out every six months and we decided on four over two years.  We backed in the idea of thematically tying them all together.  The four elements seemed like as good an idea as any.  As the process went along, we discovered that the elemental theme was actually driving the song choices and even musical production choices in the studio which was cool and different for us.

 

Q) The last track on the compilation is titled “Elements,” which on the separate EPs was broken up into four different songs. Was the song initially written as a whole or in the four separate parts?

 

A) This idea came from a one-minute song challenge that we decided to do as a song writing exercise.  As we were in the studio, we came up with the idea to do the one-minute song at the end of each EP and at the end of it all the four mini-songs would come together to make a “super-song” kind of like the Power Rangers of songs.  Each one was actually written, produced and recorded at the end of each session in the studio.

 

Q) You had the opportunity to have other songwriters collaborate on the EPs, including Darius Rucker (Hootie & The Blowfish), Monty Powell (Keith Urban), and Barry Dean (Little Big Town; Ingrid Michaelson). How do you feel their style and expertise helped to shape the sound of Elements as a whole?

 

A) We’ve been very fortunate in having the opportunity to write with some amazing talents throughout our career.  It really adds a perspective or new direction that we as writers maybe hadn’t explored before.  At the end of the day, the songs still go through the “Sister Hazel” machine and, despite how much we stretch our creative wings, always seems to land in a place of relative familiarity.

 

Q) A few of my favorites on Elements are “Memphis Rain,” “Life and Love” and “Elements.” Which songs were your favorites to record for Elements?

 

A) Thank you.  Your picks were pretty diverse stylistically, which is cool because we like our records to do that.  Really this was one of the most fun recording processes of my career.  Because we knew we were going back in the studio every six months, we stayed in “creative mode” for those two years of making Elements.  It was a very low pressure, highly creative atmosphere and led to some really cool tracks.  My favorites to record were “You Won’t See Me Again,” “Fire” and “Elements” because they really grew in the room with everyone’s input and parts.

 

Q) During this time of uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, what message do you hope this compilation album brings to your listeners?

 

A) Music can be a beautiful escape, but it can also be a powerful connective force.  In a time like this connectivity is essential to us as humans.  To be a small part of that is why we do what we do.

 

Q) Back in 2015 you made the move into country music with the album Lighter in The Dark. What influenced your decision to go from a mainly folk rock sound into country?

 

A) There wasn’t a decision to “move into country” as much as the music we were producing was being accepted into new formats.  That is exciting after making music for over twenty-five years.  Sister Hazel hasn’t changed all that much, but the world around us certainly has.  Formats and labels and categories are constantly evolving just as we are as artists. Where our music lands is less of a concern to us as the quality of the songs we are writing and producing.  If our next album is considered alt acid jazz punk then so be it.

 

Q) In addition to you creating the charity Lyrics for Life, you are also involved with recently launching a fundraising campaign to help out your crew members who have now been left without steady income to provide for their families due to COVID-19. How did you come to the decision to create the fundraiser and why was it so important to find a way to support your crew financially during this time?

 

A) Our crew is our family.  Our first response to realizing all our shows had been cancelled indefinitely was to try to take care of them.  It is the first time we’ve done a GoFundMe campaign and the Hazelnuts came through with flying colors!  BEST FANS EVER!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) 2112 by Rush – that album was the bravest and daring record of their career and inspires me as an artist in every way possible. The Greatest Showman Soundtrack – Because I love musicals and theatre and every song on there is amazing.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for giving us the ability to create and perform our original music for a living.  Without the Hazelnuts it would just be us and that’s just not as fun!

 

All Questions Answered By Bassist Jett Beres