These days it’s standard fare for people to listen to music as a playlist or soundtrack to accompany daily life.  This week’s artist, A Hawk and a Hacksaw, fits right into that role with their exciting, Eastern European and Spanish influenced sound. The New Mexico based duo are a welcome edition to anyone looking for unique music to change their typical soundtrack.
A Hawk and a Hacksaw began in 2002 with former Neutral Milk Hotel drummer Jeremy Barnes picking up a bunch of instruments, playing them all, and recording it to make the self-titled first album.  He experimented with early 20th century American music, like what you might hear played at a movie during the silent film era.  By 2004 he’d formed a quartet with Mark Weaver, Dan Clucas, and Heather Trost to put out their sophomore album, Darkness at Noon.  Trost, the group’s violinist, was the only one to stay on as a permanent member of the band, while Barnes (at least in concert) kept mainly with the accordion.
By their second album, A Hawk and a Hacksaw had taken more of an Eastern European influence and even aided Beirut (the band, not the city) with their first album, Gulag Orkestar.  Barnes and Trost’s music often gives listeners the feeling of being pursued by mustachioed police in 1800’s Hungary, where, oddly enough, the two resided for a few years, recording two more albums, before moving back to New Mexico.  Since their stateside return, A Hawk and a Hacksaw have started their own label and, earlier this year, released their fifth album, Cervantine, where they incorporated Spanish and Mexican themed music to their repertoire.
The Turkish, Balkan, Eastern European, Spanish themed music they play is substantially instrumental with sparse lyrics and provides a hell of a lot of fun for your ear-holes. Â Aside from appearing with Beirut, the band have also caught the attention of artists such as Andrew Bird and Wilco. Â They collaborate with others to play on their albums and in concert to promote the creation of music and expand their creative range. Â When taking their name from early 17th century English literature, they should be expected to be creative. Â Barnes and Trost have the knack for traveling different countries and using their traditional music to find similarities between different cultures and mixing them together to make an awesome force of internationally inspired folk music.
A Hawk and a Hacksaw may not be as big in the gypsy music market as bands like Beirut or Gogol Bordello, but they were certainly one of the forerunners for the rise.  Their lively music and genuine desire to create and learn make them a band that shouldn’t go unnoticed.  If you have the opportunity to see this band, you’ll likely want to grab a partner and dance uncontrollably.  Given Barnes’s seemingly uncontrollable need to travel, you can bet that down the line more folk influences will be incorporated into their albums, making A Hawk and a Hacksaw a musical force to be reckoned with.  If you don’t believe me, check out the links below for a taste of what you’ve been missing.
Useful Links