Hazlett does a lot of thinking about life, about if and how you can influence it, and about how much is down to fate (just about all of it in my opinion, mate).
That was evident from the single ‘Shiver’, which we featured in July, and which also turned up on this newly released EP, recorded in the Scandinavian wilderness, along with the focus track, for which we have a video too, called ‘I’m not ready to go’.
He’s gone a stage further with this track. It isn’t the case that there’s someone at the pub door shouting “Taxi for Hazlett” and his reticence to leave is driven by the fact he hasn’t finished his pint yet. No sir, this is deep philosophical stuff in which he might easily be interpreted as trying to put off the ultimately unavoidable meeting with the Grim Reaper.
“I’m not ready to go/Hold on hold on please hold on
I’m not ready to be/Done with my time
I’ve got too much to see…”
Why should someone so young be so concerned about that? I don’t know but I can observe as readily with my own eyes that the world is an increasingly dangerous place, getting more so by the day; and that there is no easy escape wherever you may be.
It would make for a good mickey-taking funeral song I suppose.
That’s just one interpretation of course. Another might be the less morbid and more optimistic one that there comes a time when everyone feels the need to put down roots and that he wants to give this particular location a chance. Unlike Jack Kerouac you can’t be on the road forever.
However you look at it I like Hazlett’s style. It’s laid back as far as it can be but you aren’t going to nod off. The sound lies somewhere between Nashville and Asheville and the harmonies blend with acoustic and slide guitar like strawberries and cream. A Weyes Blood song without the dramatics.
Hazlett has just completed a US tour and begins a European headline one on 8th November. It will bring him to the UK and Ireland between 21st and 27th (see below) and includes a Manchester date on 23rd which I might just check out.
Tour dates UK & Ireland:
21.11.2024 Lafayette, London – SOLD OUT
22.11.2024 The Dareshack, Bristol – SOLD OUT
23.11.2024 Deaf Institute, Manchester – UK
24.11.2024 Academy Green Room, Dublin – IE SOLD OUT
26.11.2024 Stereo, Glasgow – UK
27.11.2024 Hare and Hounds Birmingham – UK
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