With every show he plays, Dave Hawthorn reaches for the next rung on the ladder.
The central New York acoustic rocker has been performing since he was 12, all the while pushing himself to perfect his craft and take it to new places. He has crisscrossed the country in pursuit of that goal, first playing all around the western United States while living in Arizona and now traversing the eastern half as a resident of Oswego.
Though he takes the stage with only an acoustic guitar and harmonica, Hawthorn steers the atmosphere clear of what he calls the “James Taylor” thing.
“It's upbeat and a lot of fun,” Hawthorn said. “It gets rocking.”
Much of Hawthorn's sets consist of original songs, including those recorded on his two albums, “West” and “Too Parts Cool.” The latter captures the energy of his live sets by combining original and cover selections, which range from Dave Matthews to Neil Young. In addition to writing and recording a third album, Hawthorn is collaborating with the band Frostbit Blue on yet another.
With a personal tilt to his music, Hawthorn rarely tells stories in his songs. Instead, he writes “typical love songs” and seizes his feelings about playing music for a living.
“I'm just trying to get on the next step of the ladder,” he said. “I feel like I've been on this rung too long.”
Five questions with Dave Hawthorn:
Q: What is your favorite song to play?
A: Right now, it's a song called “Choctaw Bingo,” it's just a fun song by Ray Wylie Hubbard.
Q: What was your first concert?
A: It was the California Jam in 1974.
Q: If you were trapped on a desert island, what is the one album you would bring before any other?
A: “Dark Side of the Moon” (by Pink
Floyd) is always a good one.
Q: Who are your biggest musical influences?
A: When I started, I liked the Eagles, the Beatles and Neil Young. As far as my style goes, it's southwestern.
Q: What is the one venue you've always wanted to play but never gotten a chance to?
A: CBGB's.
If you go
Who: Dave Hawthorn
When: 7 tonight
Where: Tinker's Guild, 78 Franklin St., Auburn
Cost: Free
Info: Call 255-1128 or visit www.davehawthorn.com
Though he takes the stage with only an acoustic guitar and harmonica, Hawthorn steers the atmosphere clear of what he calls the “James Taylor” thing.
“It's upbeat and a lot of fun,” Hawthorn said. “It gets rocking.”
Much of Hawthorn's sets consist of original songs, including those recorded on his two albums, “West” and “Too Parts Cool.” The latter captures the energy of his live sets by combining original and cover selections, which range from Dave Matthews to Neil Young. In addition to writing and recording a third album, Hawthorn is collaborating with the band Frostbit Blue on yet another.
With a personal tilt to his music, Hawthorn rarely tells stories in his songs. Instead, he writes “typical love songs” and seizes his feelings about playing music for a living.
“I'm just trying to get on the next step of the ladder,” he said. “I feel like I've been on this rung too long.”
Five questions with Dave Hawthorn:
Q: What is your favorite song to play?
A: Right now, it's a song called “Choctaw Bingo,” it's just a fun song by Ray Wylie Hubbard.
Q: What was your first concert?
A: It was the California Jam in 1974.
Q: If you were trapped on a desert island, what is the one album you would bring before any other?
A: “Dark Side of the Moon” (by Pink
Floyd) is always a good one.
Q: Who are your biggest musical influences?
A: When I started, I liked the Eagles, the Beatles and Neil Young. As far as my style goes, it's southwestern.
Q: What is the one venue you've always wanted to play but never gotten a chance to?
A: CBGB's.
If you go
Who: Dave Hawthorn
When: 7 tonight
Where: Tinker's Guild, 78 Franklin St., Auburn
Cost: Free
Info: Call 255-1128 or visit www.davehawthorn.com
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.