After exploding onto the scene three years ago as “the poet who has never read poetry”, critically acclaimed poet, thinker, singer, and soul, Bradley Hathaway is releasing his sophomore album and book, The Thing that Poets Write About, The Thing that Singers Sing About this October. This new record further bridges the gap between poetry and music by showcasing 14 new songs and poems inside an impressive 80-page book with an accompanying DVD.
Bradley Hathaway is no stranger to doing things his own way. In 2004 Bradley wrote his first poem inside of a 1988 Ford pickup truck in Arkansas; within 18 months he would tour the United States; release a record of performance poetry; tour countries across Europe; write a book; discover the guitar, folk music, and Johnny Cash; tour Hawaii, and Australia; destroy his 1988 Ford Pickup truck after hundreds of shows in America; fall in love a couple times; write a few songs about falling in love and getting dumped a couple times; and live on a pig farm- all without the help of a record label or management.
Now Bradley is releasing an entirely new album of songs and poems about love and life. Recorded in an abandoned house in the hills of Kentucky, The Thing That Poets Write About, the Thing That Singers Sing About evokes the spirit of America and the ghosts of the haunted south. The album is a story of a young man’s journey through a relationship. From its ecstatic beginning, through times of doubt and desperation, to its painful separation, the singer discovers the emotions and the lessons that only a broken heart can teach.
The Thing That Poets Write About is deeply rooted in American music. Featuring a half dozen musicians, a choir of twenty senior citizens, and one poet trying to sing, this collection pays homage to America, its music, and its people. The rural Kentucky setting where the album was recorded comes out in the music: pure and earthy. The record is a live performance, leaving no room for pretension or second guesses, giving the album a rustic character like the house in which it was recorded.
The Thing That Poet’s Write About is a snapshot of a young artist at the turning point of his life. It is his discovery of America and its music, of women and the joy (and pain) they bring. Bradley is not a singer, he is a soul; and this new collection is all heart. With songs of lost love, pain, desire, and loneliness, this album is not for the faint-hearted. The Thing That Poets Write About chronicles a boy’s long journey into manhood, tackling every big question head on with wit and wisdom. And with each question, the music jumps from a soft whisper to a raucous roar, taking the listener on an emotional ride that will leave you begging for more.
Change is the characteristic of a great artist. The best artists are always one step ahead of their audience. Bradley is an artist of change - always surprising his audience and taking us to places never imagined. The Thing that Poets Write About, The Thing That Singers Sing About is the next step in Bradley’s already impressive career.
Bradley is not an accomplished musician or a singer; in fact, he can barely play the guitar. But music is much more than talent and craft: it is emotion and experience. Bradley isn’t like other artists. He doesn’t give us craft and finesse. He gives us himself with all his flaws and imperfections. He lays his heart out for the rest of us to listen and judge- and that is the hardest thing an artist can do.
Songs of joy. Songs of pain. Songs of innocence. Songs of experience. It’s all here, given to us by one of our generation’s most important artists.
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luckily youre playing the one night that im going to be at cornerstone. we're playing at 11:15 on the encore1 stage... so like 50 yds from you. if you have a chance before your set - come by and say heyyyyy. ill try to find you once im there.
Hey dood! I don't know if you respond to comments or not, but I was wondering if you plan on doing anything with spoken word anytime soon. I'll keep on checking on your updates, maybe that will give me some clues.
You inspired me to find my true voice again, just started dealing with my depression at 31 it's cool to learn about myself somewhat from a 23 year old, new school BEAT poeT you are a blessing to this earth. Like the music allot too. Can't wait for more. It would be cool if you could perform at Farm Fest In Michigan some year I think you would love it as well as they, we would love it I was inspired to write this after I saw you at C'stone
------------------------- thank you Bradley Hathaway!!!!!!!!
Painting words on my minds canvas wise man calls himself a child that makes him wise with open eyes definitive answers to undefinable thoughts been to places I've been at different times are they still the same spaces as time changes all things I find I am no different mostly a moving body of water in motion I put the cool water of a stream in it leaves me heated to my bodies temperature washing away my impurities what I am is constantly cycling never holding the same molecules for more than a moment don't even own myself what my senses absorb I filter and recreate becoming a newer better being I am never the same thank God I can still grow ----------------------------------- some may find some of this analogy kind gross but art is true, not always pretty
The first time I saw you, you were at cornerstone festival on tour with The Chariot. I believe that was 4 or 5 years ago. Congrats on the success I thought you were amazing.
hey i saw you at cornerstone! i was standing at the side of the stage with a few friends and we were waving but u never looked lol it was sort of pathetic. love ur poems btw!
joel, bradley, and matthew: i miss you with the fire of a thousand suns sustaining the power to end corrupt dictatorships throughout the globe. peace, love, and syphilis, jeremy and nihilio
i never heard of you till i saw you last night at lifest and i was moved...i really like your music and direction..i liked it so much i bought your record...thanks for doing what your doing..its pretty intense and special
I'm so glad your coming to washington. I use to live in Ft. smith, so I've seen you a couple times. I used some of your stuff in my english class once.. thanks! all credit went to u of course!!
Hi Bradley, you don't know me, but I think you know my mom. She told me you weren't feeling very confident about how your fans might feel about your music and your new sound. I just wanted to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed and was greatly moved by your performance at cornerstone this year. It was refreshing. The instrumentation was so wonderful, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks so much for doing what your heart tells you. You carry so much beauty within you. God bless you on your travels.
