hefner - Austin Town Hall

New Starts Share Asbestos Roof

June 13, 2024 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

I’ve always been a big fan of Darren Hayman’s work since my early days discovering Hefner; he’s done a bunch of great projects and solo work along the way (like the Hayman Kupa Band), but at the moment, he’s focused on New Starts. They’ve offered a fresh glimpse at their forthcoming debut LP, with this charming reflection on getting older and the freedom that gives us. There’s great guitar interplay here between Darren and Joely Smith (also of adults), who Hayman has mentioned challenges his natural inclination to make everything pretty. Really looking forward to August 16th, when Fika Recordings will release the debut, More Break-Up Songs.

<a href="https://shop.fikarecordings.com/album/more-break-up-songs">More Break-Up Songs by New Starts</a>

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Darren Hayman Shares The Joint Account

April 3, 2020 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

There’s something about Darren Hayman‘s lyricism that just feels right at home; it’s literary, similar to a John Darnielle; but, it also sort of feels a bit mundane, like he’s using the perfect words simply because they’re the exact piece needed for his songwriting puzzles. If you’re not familiar, might I suggest checking out Hefner…and follow the breadcrumbs from there through the Hayman Kupa Band and various releases on WIAIWYA. I love how this song’s presented so carefully, merely some light percussion and woodwinds to accompany careful guitar picking and Hayman’s voice. The accented backing vocals from Hannah Winter and Laura K really do help to elevate the song into something quite exquisite. This song will appear on Home Time, Hayman’s new album, out May 22nd via Fika Recordings.

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Celebrate Hefner’s Debut 20 Years Later

April 5, 2018 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

If you have spent any time at all on this site, you surely are aware of my affinity for

, and all his projects. Most recently, it’s been with the Hayman Kupa Band, but it all began with a band called Hefner. It’s possible that they were too far ahead of their time, featuring twanging jangling guitars, clever wordplay and hooks you can’t avoid. WIAIWYA, one of my fave labels in the UK just announced they’ll be re-releasing Breaking God’s Heart, the band’s debut LP. Give this song a listen, and perhaps you’ll see why 20 years on there’s still a huge interest in the band and their work. The reissue drops this July!

<a href="http://wiaiwya.bandcamp.com/album/breaking-gods-heart">Breaking God’s Heart by Hefner</a>

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