Introducing Drew Hackney: Music that Moves Me & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #140
I have written a few posts in the past about the Power of Music and My Life in Songs and as I have been doing a lot of self-exploration lately, I am discovering that with life and all of its experiences, the music that moves me has been evolving and changing along the way. If you are a regular reader here, you are probably aware of my newfound love for bluegrass music as I had spent most of my summer weekends chasing the sweet relaxing elixir that the entire bluegrass community provides to my searching soul.
In my adventures, I have made some great new friends who are broadening my musical horizons even further. Through one musician friend (you all remember Carson from Fireside Collective), I have been introduced to the musical compositions of the very talented Drew Hackney. Based out of Chicago, Drew has been creating music for as long as he has been able to speak. His passion was discovered in a Fisher Price recorder that was gifted to him by his parents as a very young child in North Carolina. He has been recording music ever since.
Drew’s music is a contemporary hybrid of power pop, bedroom pop, and album-oriented rock. By mixing musical genres and incorporating non-traditional instruments, Drew has managed to create a unique and vibrant sound unlike anything that I have ever heard before. As far as I am concerned, he is also a lyrical genius, weaving together words and phrases that ease into your soul and reach you on a level that you thought was lost decades ago.
As a wordsmith myself, I appreciate the talent that allows for lyrics of this caliber to flow in such a way that they seemingly don’t even come from the individual writing them. But rather they are poured forth through the individual who has been granted the gift by some higher power and designated a vessel through which the brilliance can traverse space and time in order to be shared with the mortal world. And we, the mortal world, appreciate it so much when the music can move us in this way.
Drew’s musical influences have evolved and changed throughout his life beginning with the North Carolina based alternative rock trio Ben Folds Five and San Francisco based punk rock label Fat Wreck Chords. Both of these bands saw their beginnings in the 1990’s and the first thing I recognized about Drew’s music was this 90’s inspired sound. It is a sound that I love as it fills me with a sentimentality for the innocent yet tortured days of my teenage years.
Being an avid punk rock fan, Drew formed a band in high school called Buckit that danced the line between Fat Wreck Chords and modern pop music. Even at that young age, he was finding a way to blend seemingly opposed genres into a sound that was uniquely his own. Tapping into some old school roots, Drew formed The Old Regime during his college years. His music at this time was heavily influenced by the sounds of 70’s rock band Steely Dan in combination with the more progressive English bands from that era, Genesis, Yes, and King Crimson.
He saw a shift in his musical tastes and what sounds influenced him post college graduation. Indie and electronic acts such as Pavement, Deerhunter, and Boards of Canada found their way onto Drew’s playlists and you can catch little hints of this influence in his current work. But mostly his solo music is heavily informed by the psychedelic works of the Australian project Tame Impala and the modern American indie folk sounds of Bon Iver. An unlikely aggregate to create an unexpected genre of music, but yet it is music that moves me. I suspect it will move you, too, and it is never a bad thing to introduce new music into your life.
One of the first Drew Hackney songs that I heard was Nowhere and it gave me this sort of nostalgic feeling from my 90’s coming of age combined with the adult recognition that our lives are nothing but a complete amalgam of who we once we were, who we currently are, and who we have yet to become. I am not certain if that was Drew’s intent behind this lyrical composition but it is the emotion that the song made me feel. And it was a pretty powerful emotion that moved me. That is, after all, the purpose of music, isn’t it? To move people to feel something.
So if you are a music lover (I mean, who isn’t?) and if you are ready to explore something a bit different, creatively way outside the box of what you are hearing on the radio, and you simply want to be moved to feel something, check out Drew Hackney Music. While he can sometimes be found performing live at various venues in his local Chicago area, there is no need to wait. You can stream Drew Hackney Music on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Spotify, and iTunes. If you enjoy what you hear, be sure to click the like button or drop a comment letting Drew know. We all welcome feedback that validates our work and it is a perfect way to #SpreadTheKindness.
Also, Drew will be releasing his new album The Missive this Friday. You can preorder now by clicking the link and you will automatically get the download of Nowhere with your preorder. And be sure to listen closely because you will hear my dear friend Carson White of Fireside Collective playing bass on 7 of the 8 tracks. And another member of Fireside Collective, Jesse Iaquinto, has contributed his talents on mandolin to tracks 1 and 8. A wonderful collaboration of amazing musicians.
This is another favorite song. I love when artists can use peaceful methods to creatively express political opinions on current issues. Beware, however, this song will get stuck in your head!
Also, if you need a cute music inspired dress for any reason or for no reason at all, check out the Rosegal Deals sale and be sure to enter code RGN20 at checkout for an additional 20% off your order.
And now your featured favorites from last week.
Pam of A New Lens shared a wonderfully thought provoking post, Wise, Foolish, or Evil, where she reviews the book Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud. Pam has presented some great questions for investigation that I think will bring some clarity for many people. Definitely worth reading!
Anne of Spy Girl is currently hosting a fun link party featuring secondhand items plus this perfectly colorful tunic she discovered at the flea market in her post, #SecondhandSeptember My Local Flea Market. Go check it out and join the party!
Moved by music on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
46 Comments
Kathrine Eldridge
Love this fun dress Shelbee! My hubby and I love Bluegrass music so we need to check Drew Hackney out. Thanks for sharing his music!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! Drew’s sound is not bluegrass at all but a very contemporary mix of pop that flashes me back to the 90’s in the best way. For the bluegrass sound though, definitely check out Fireside Collective (their link is in the post, too). Some of the Fireside Collective band members have contributed to Drew’s songs though so you will hear some mandolin tracks in there!
xoxo
Shelbee
Julie | This Main Line Life
This is such a fun dress. This is a really interesting article and I like Drew’s sound.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Julie! I am so glad that you are digging his sound, too!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kellyann Rohr
That dress is absolutely perfect for you! That’s something about Drew recording music even when he was a kid – talk about knowing your passion from an early age! Thanks for sharing his music!
xo,
Kellyann
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Kellyann, thanks so much! It was the perfect post for sharing my new dress! And I think that is super cool about Drew recording as a very young child as well. Some people just know what they are called to do from childhood. I always wanted to be a writer since the 1st grade. I took a very roundabout way getting there, but at least I got there!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jill
Just listened to the sound bytes you shared and enjoyed Drew Hackney’s music! Your dress is so fun! Thank you for the linkup!
Jill – Doused in Pink
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jill! It’s fun to discover new music, isn’t it?! I stream Drew’s music often while I am working. It brings me calm and it inspires me.
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
What a fun dress! Fantastic boots too!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy!
xoxo
Shelbee
Grace Liang
You always wear the best dresses! I just love this print – so much fun!
https://colorandgrace.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Grace! This is a super fun dress, for sure. With my new found love of music, I couldn’t resist it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
Oh lookee, you featured me! Thanks, girl! Looking forward to a turn in the weather so that I can wear that shirt again.
Will give a listen to the tunes later when not LATE FOR WORK.
I saw Peter Case (of the Plimsouls) do an acoustic set on Sunday — isn’t live music the best? He told the complete tale of the inception and recording of “A Million Miles Away”, what a story!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, you’re welcome, friend! I hope you get to wear that fun shirt lots! I am listening to Peter Case performing A Million Miles Away on YouTube right now because I am not familiar. And I must become familiar. He is one cool cat, that’s for sure! How fun that you got to see him perform. Live music is so freaking great! Now get to work and listen to some Drew Hackney on the way! If you can stream Soundcloud from your car. Have a fantastic day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ashley
This dress is perfect for such a musical post! 🙂 I love a good black and white combo!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Ashley! I thought it was perfectly appropriate for sharing some new music, too. And you can never go wrong with black and white even if the print is a bit wild and whimsical!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking very nice. I do have one fashion related questions, I thought that you were never to wear dark tights with white shoes. I always thought that was a no-no. Please learn me on that one.
I will have to check out Drew Hackney. He sounds interesting. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful Tuesday.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Patrick, I will definitely learn you on that one! There are no rules in fashion these days! At least in my world. I don’t like rules. Especially ones that make no sense! You can wear whatever what you want as long as it makes you smile! That was probably a rule in some old stodgy 1950’s book of style somewhere though, I’m sure.
As for Drew, I think you might really enjoy his unique sound. It really flashes me back to the 90’s but with a super cool modern vibe. He has so many influences and they all come through. I’d love to hear what you think once you have the chance to listen!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lizzie
This dress is so much fun! I love the print, especially as a musician haha 😉
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Lizzie! I figured you would get a kick out this fun little number! Did you check out Drew’s music? I am curious to hear what you think of it!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
My hubby is a huge music fan. If he wore dresses, he might need this, LOL!! But he’ll have to check out Drew for sure.
XOXO
Jodie
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks for reading, Jodie! Definitely share with the hubs! It is such a cool sound. Way different than most of what you hear out there.
xoxo
Shelbee
jess jannenga
Hi Shelbee
You know I love music! I need to write about it more on the blog! Your friend, Drew’s song, has a cool 70s vibe with the horns. Nice! We enjoy listening to live music – as there is a place we frequent called The Jazz Room, whcih is more intimate and smaller- but great acts. I need to hear more bluegrass. LOve the very fitting music dress on you! The lace up detail is so cute and I love the you belted it. Great combo with the white booties and your leather jacket. Very stylish!
Have a great day!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jess, thanks so much! Oh, I am hankering for some live music right now. It has been a while! The Jazz Room sounds like a super cool place to hang out. I need to make my way South again soon. Actually, I may be heading to Virginia this weekend if the scheduling works out, but I don’t think I have going out on the agenda. More staying in and helping an old friend for the weekend. But we will listen to music, for sure, just not live!
You definitely should start sharing musical posts on your blog. It is one of your passions, why not add it in?!
xoxo
Shelbee
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
I don’t know a whole lot about blue grass, but I’m sure I’d love it if I got into it! This dress is beautiful and I love those white boots! I need to get my white boots out again soon.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Carrie! It is that time of year now for all the boots! Definitely listen to some of Fireside Collective’s stuff if you are interested in bluegrass. I think you will really get into it. But Drew’s music is not bluegrass at all. He is a totally different sound of pop meets alternative meets lots of other things! I can’t even really describe it because it is that unique.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jean | Delightful Repast
Shelbee, you could not have found a more perfect dress for your bluegrass and other musical events! Too cute! Thanks for hosting.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jean! I could not resist this cute musical dress!
xoxo
Shelbee
Darlene
Shelbee, thanks for introducing us to Drew’s music. I just listened to Nowhere and love the melody and lyrics–just puts a little piece in your soul, doesn’t it? That dress is perfect for the place you are right now in your musical journey–love it on you!!
xx Darlene
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Darlene, thanks so much! I am certainly having a great time exploring all these new musical genres. The dress was the perfect addition to keep going forward in my musical journey! I am so glad that you enjoyed Nowhere. It really does put a little piece in your soul!
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
Fabulous dress! I love the fun musical print and the contrast of the black tights and white boots!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Emma! I was super excited about this fun dress!
xoxo
Shelbee
Laura Bambrick
That dress is so fun and perfect for this post! I love how you wore it too!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Laura! I couldn’t resist this cute print for a post about music.
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
Oh my goodness, that dress!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Hehe, thanks, Tamar!
xoxo
Shelbee
Claire Justine
I love your dress, it is so me too 🙂 Thanks for stopping by today.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Claire! Every time I wear a dress like this, I think of you! It is totally your style.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqui Berry
Super dress – love it Shelbee. xx Jacqui Mummabstylish
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jacqui!
xoxo
Shelbee
Maureen
Music is a beautiful thing. I love it as it really soothes the soul. Drew’s talents are remarkable and way to go for him that he got into it at an early age. I love your dress Shelbee! Quirky, cool and fun are the words that come to mind. No kidding when I say you are rocking this look!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Maureen, thank you so much! Musical talents fascinate me, I think because I have none! I couldn’t resist this dress though as a music lover!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
What a fun dress! i like that jacket with it, and thanks for sharing Drew’s music 🙂
Thank you so much for joining the #weekdayWearLinkUp 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank so much, Mica! I couldn’t resist the whimsy of this musical dress.
xoxo
Shelbee
Liberty
Hi Shelbee,
I have a different book by H. Cloud, so it was interesting to see this feature you picked. I clicked over and read it– what a great post! I see you are doing some deep thinking, as always. : )
Liberty @ B4andAfters.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Liberty! I am not familiar with H. Cloud but that 2 respected bloggers have referenced him, I definitely need to to look into his work. And I am always thinking! It is quite exhausting.
xoxo
Shelbee