Nashville-based project Hawken Horse presents a variety of historical narratives on Hammered & Hewn: Volume 1, comprising the first part of a 28-track double-album. A compelling folk sound, ranging from steady acoustics to frolicking strings, complement stirring vocals that artfully convey the tales of historical figures in North America from 1765 to 1887.
Singer/songwriter Andrew Scott Wills formed Hawken Horse, and his songwriting resonates throughout. “This project is my attempt to paint the stories of the west, amazing and sad, with the medium of music,” Wills says. “I’ve always been a big story guy but my favorite stories are the true ones. I want to take listeners on a musical journey through the wild frontier.”
Visions of the wild frontier are certainly captured, particularly on “Blue Ridge” — where harmonious vocal layers and tender acoustics complement scene-setting narratives of the titular location. “Coonskin Cap” is another highlight, telling of a man with “freedom on his mind, and a heavy axe to grind,” — none other than Davy Crockett. “He put the Alamo on the map,” Wills sings into lovely strings, exuding a timeless feeling.
“Frontier Lady” also stirs, referring to planting seeds and staining one’s hands with “honest work,” — recalling a simpler time, an aching for nostalgia in the “frontier lady, if you’ll have me,” yearning. A multitude of quality songwriting persists throughout Hammered & Hewn: Volume 1.
Look for Volume 2 of Hammered & Hewn to release this autumn.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
