SoundClick artist: Brian Hazelbower - Singer/Songwriter, recording artist

Brian Hazelbower has refined his contemporary country sound with his second album 'Back to the muse'. Teaming up with accomplished musician, producer and award-winning composer Andrew Oye, the new album has been described as catchy, well crafted, and enjoyable original songs wrapped up in a well produced musical package.
Brian received a nomination for Male Vocal of The Year at the 2012 Vancouver Island Music Awards for Back to the muse. 7 of the 12 tracks were co-writes with some close friends as well as lyricists across Canada, the US and Australia. The first 10 tracks are what you expect to hear on top 40 country radio station. Sweet guitar hooks and the tasty tones intertwine with heartfelt, clever lyrics. There’s a slow driving alt rock tune ‘Long Long Way’ (which was originally titled ‘Back to the muse’) and the final cut is a ‘can’t get it out of your head’ kind of catchy rockin’ blues number that’s a tribute to the Harbour City and the music scene in Nanaimo where Brian lives on Vancouver Island.

Why this name?

Mom & Dad gave it to me

Do you play live?

I play mostly with friends, at special events and at writers nights.

How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?

Seems the music industry is in a constant state of change.

Would you sign a record contract with a major label?

Ya, I'll cross that bridge if I stumble upon it ;o)

Band History:

The first album "One In A Million" was written and recorded while I had a band "The Workin' Stiffs" together. Shortly after the album came out the band disbanded due to reg job commitments, bass player moving back to Sask, that sort of thing. This second album "Back to the muse..." is more of a studio album. A collection of some of my favorite tunes from my songbook. The songs on this album were produced more in a top 40 country production.
I hired Andrew Oye to play guitar and help me produce this new album.
Check him out www.andrewoye.com or search Andrew Oye on YouTube if you have a few minutes.

Your influences?

poopalina spirit in the sky build me up buttercup chances are johnny be good whole lotta love iron man spiders and snakes scene from an italian restaurant goodbye norma gene rocky mountain way rocky mountain high my own way to rock blue collar razzmatazz these eyes house of the risin sun two lane highway good hearted woman in the air tonight wreck of the edmund fitzgerald margaritaville sweet home alabama stairway to heaven long haired country boy blues two lane highway the dance for you boot scootin boogie rasta poppa walkin slow the wind gone mad bottom land ....and a whole whack more!! ;o)

Favorite spot?

behind my guitar

Anything else...?

Part of the Vancouver Island music scene since moving to Nanaimo in 1991. Brian was a radio personality on the weekly “Songwriters Circle” program on CHLY 101.7 fm from Nanaimo, BC for 10 yrs. The community radio program featured local original music, news and interviews with artists from Vancouver Island, the BC Islands & the Sunshine Coast. The occasional minstrel from far and abroad touring through Nanaimo has also been known to stop by the “chili radio” studio and share their music. The show continues with new hosts and can be heard every Sunday from 9:00am until noon on 101.7 fm or off the net at www.chly.ca.

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