Everybody needs a friend. From the modern phenomenon of social networking websites like MySpace and Facebook to the classic comfort found alongside special schoolmates and work buddies, we’re always looking for someone with whom we can laugh and cry.
Since 2004, music lovers have enjoyed a real camaraderie with rising pop-rock band Hawk Nelson, helping the quartet sell nearly half a million albums, land personal appearances on major television and motion picture projects, and gain high-profile song placement (“Bring ‘Em Out”) with NBC’s NFL Sunday Night Football campaign.
Now the true bond of friendship between the group and others continues to strengthen, mature, and be more overtly celebrated than even before with the Canadian-originated act’s third Tooth & Nail release, Hawk Nelson Is My Friend.
“Going into this record, we sat down and thought about how we’ve always had this mentality of not so much winning fans as making friends,” says born frontman Jason Dunn. “We want to be clear that we’re all about being on the same level as the audience.”
“The album title is also what’s printed across the front of our most popular tee shirt,” adds quintessentially friendly Hawk Nelson bass player Daniel Biro. “And there’s a little joke in there, because so many people still think ‘Hawk Nelson’ is some guy’s name.”
To be fair, that mix-up happens a lot less these days. In fact, the band’s good name helped recruit some cool new compadres for the recording of Hawk Nelson Is My Friend. For the first time, the guys worked with top producer David Bendeth (Elvis, Paramore, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus), tracking at his New Jersey studio. And in addition to writing with longtime friend Trevor McNevan from Thousand Foot Krutch, Dunn and Biro also met and wrote with Matthew Gerrard (High School Musical, Hannah Montana), Our Lady Peace lead singer Raine Maida (Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson), and ‘80s pop star-turned-hit songsmith Richard Marx (“Right Here Waiting,” Keith Urban).
Refreshingly, Hawk Nelson doesn’t rest on its youthful success and had no problem reaching past the pop-punk core to create something uniquely enjoyable for its audience.
“We don’t want to be that band whose record sounds just like the last one,” Biro explains. “It’s great to work with people who have so much experience and can help us grow.”
In a raucously poetic sort of way, Hawk Nelson Is My Friend opens with first single “Friend Like That,” a pounding rocker with fuzzy, spiraling guitars and fist-pumping Hey! Hey! Hey! Ramones-like shouts. Seeking heavenly guidance and earthly alliance at the same time, the song declares, I need somebody on the inside, somebody who can set me free . . . Make some noise if you feel this way. Anybody got a friend like that?
Dunn explains, “So many people are struggling today. Most of all they need a friend, and we believe everyone has a friend in God.”
Deeper into the record, electrified new anthem and sure favorite “Arms Around Me” finds Hawk Nelson touching on social and spiritual issues of regret and forgiveness, thankful for the friends who are, Always near me, even when it’s ugly.
Like its loyal audience, Hawk Nelson shows clear signs of growth on new songs like “One Little Miracle.” Co-written with Marx, the track captures a perfect pop moment that blends innovative playing, great melodies, and a strong belief: One little revolution could turn it all around, back to the kingdom we once knew; just a little bit of me and a little bit of you . . . one little miracle to get us through.
“Not the Same” marks a clear step ahead in the band’s artistry as well. Although Hawk Nelson’s early punk influences (Green Day, Blink 182) are still evident, this richly textured song about the past represents a progression into mellower yet no less passionate musical territory that is matched by the lyrical declaration of we’re onto something new.
Essential to the all-around appeal of Hawk Nelson Is My Friend are the contributions of guitarist Jonathan Steingard and drummer Aaron Tosti. In talking about cuts like “One Little Miracle” and “Not the Same,” Biro describes the remarkably dynamic and highly melodic and muscular guitar parts as being “so good I could cry.” And it was Tosti who set the energetic tone for the entire record, laying his confident, seasoned rhythms down first alone in the studio when a time crunch required the rest of Hawk Nelson to stay out on tour with a fill-in stickman.
For all of their adventures and successes thus far, the members of Hawk Nelson still see themselves as “four guys just trying to make it,” says Dunn. “We’ll always be working toward that, trying to write the best songs possible.”
Hawk Nelson Is My Friend most definitely lives up to that goal. Their friends will love it.
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As a special deal for members of our myspace ministry we have put together 2 amazing sale packages in conjunction with Ebay.
Package 1: Buy a copy of our latest album "Get Somewhere" and we'll throw in a copy of our "No One" EP + a copy of our "Self Titled" EP + a "T-Shirt" all for the low price of $25 (plus postage).
Package 2: For those who already have a copy of our latest album "Get Somewhere" but want to hear more of our music just follow the link below to get a copy of our "No One" EP + a copy of our "Self Titled" EP + a "T-Shirt" all for the low price of $15 (plus postage).
Just click on the link below (or copy and paste it to your browser) to be taken to our Ebay store to purchase either of these great packages.
Can't wait to see you guys at Pulse Fest!!! I go every year..but this year will be the greatest cuz you guys will be there!!! Rock on till then!! ;-p <3 Steph
I live like 30 minutes north of where spiritsong is gonna be today. I'm so sad I can't go. I wish you could like pick me up. hahahah. iloveyouguys<3 hopefully I'll see you sometime.
hi hawk nelson i just wanted to say i'll be praying for you and i love you guys!!! if you wrote back that would be pretty awsome but it's cool if ya dont.=] God bless!
We, The Well Experience, are very excited about our upcoming project. In light, we wanted to share some of our last album's hits with you.
Check out:
Pray for the Rain
In This House
Sometime Sunday
Real
You can purchase our full length album at www.cdbaby.com or download it on itunes!!! or go to www.thewellexperienc.com and name your price!!!!! more info about our Album and our new Project Go TO www.myspace.com/thewellexperince to get all the info!!!!!!!! TWX SAYZ THANK YOU SOMUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Just wanted to say hey to my fave band of all time!! I hope I get to see u at creation...I really want to meet u guys!!! ahhh hopefully someday soon! :) I <3 u guys and your music makes me happy. :)
hey guys luv ur music, love it since i was a little kid, hope ur living the good life and doin it wit a religious style that makes everyone jealous ^ ^ and that God will continue bless u guys i hope that maybe one day if u ever get the chance, come to buffalo ny or for kingdom bound, my brother said he say one of ur concerts and i want to too, bet ya he still loves ur music even wen he leaves and i bet he will when gets back. thnx for everything, you guys have been a great blessing in my life, you helped me create me(lol)with God's help and guidance.
i really like your new song "Live Life Loud"...it made me smile. your new background is really fun, too. i miss you guys, it has been forever. sadly enough, i just don't get to concerts like i used to. i wish you guys were coming to Ignite Chicago. but if you want to be REALLY COOL, then you should be like your friend jeremy camp and you should play in CHAMPAIGN. :-) God bless you guys, julie
Hey guys :) Just wanted to say that I LOVE your music and everything that you say at your concerts. I saw you for the first time at Carowinds, in NC on 6/14/09! It was so amazing! The way you guys got the crowd pumped was so fun! & I loved everything you said about being a Christian! Also, Jason...you have a facebook & a Twitter...I had messaged you on Facebook & told you about it on Twitter then you messaged me back on Facebook & thanks for that! But umm what happened to it? Like your picture is gone and it won't let me click on your name :( But thanks again for awesome Christian music and sharing your faith through your music and giving youth a sense that it IS COOL to be a Christian and not to be shy about it! you guys are so cool! Write back if you have the time! Love, Kathryn