On 12th July, folk musician Hazlett released his new single ‘Shiver’ taken from his upcoming new 6-Track EP out 4th October, which completes his Goodbye to the Valley Low project.
Following recent track ‘Bones Shake’, Sweden-based songwriter Hazlett releases his spirited new single ‘Shiver.’ With sparse arrangement, intricate acoustic guitar fingerpicking, gently philosophical lyrics and a plaintive vocal, ‘Shiver’ slowly builds pace as Hazlett ponders over the difficulty of making the right choices in life – a feeling most of us can relate to.
Speaking about the single, Hazlett says, ‘I’ve always had this tug-o-war in my head of how much control do I really have of my life? Do I have to be petrified of every decision I make? Or do I just say whatever will be will be and sit back? I think to some extent whatever path we take life has a funny way of taking us to our destination anyway. But that only happens when we’re led by our gut, we have good intentions and we’re not scared to make the wrong choice. Sometimes it is just about choosing a door to open and being irrationally confident that the universe will guide you to where you need to go either way. ’
Recorded in an off-grid cabin in the middle of Scandinavian nowhere, the first part of Goodbye to the Valley Low was released late last year. It’s a stripped-back collection of delicate indie-folk songs brimming with personal anecdotes told through Hazlett’s polished introspective songwriting, and produced by longtime collaborator Freddy Alexander. It resonated with listeners everywhere and Hazlett was soon inspired to revisit the cabin, knowing there was more to explore. This new EP completes this project, six brand new songs, which together with the first EP, makes one cohesive album. The songs are once again exquisitely layered, the musicality is rich, the tracks are timeless and Hazlett’s hushed vocals enthral across the 6 tracks. Out October 4th, vinyl fans will also be able to purchase Goodbye to the Valley Low on vinyl in its final form as a 12-track album.
‘Truth be told there was never meant to be a Side B to Goodbye to the Valley Low, but the more that I tried moving on from it the more I kept getting pulled back,’ Hazlett explains. ‘I think being out there in the cabin brought out a lot of initial feelings that I worked through and then after that I was left with all these half thoughts and feelings that needed a little more work to figure out. Which might be why it sounds a little bit darker at times. If Side A was the curiosity of the cabin then Side B is working through all the questions that it left behind.’
2023 was a busy year for Hazlett, as he released his debut album Bloom Mountain to positive support from the likes of The Line of Best Fit and Atwood Magazine, having previously received acclaim from CLASH, NME and When The Horn Blows. Going on to support Wild Rivers and Josiah & The Bonnevilles across the UK and Europe, he ended the year by releasing EP Goodbye to the Valley Low. This year is also shaping up to be a monumental one for the artist – with the release of the single, ‘Bones Shake,’ and having opened shows for LANY, Calum Scott, Passenger and Ocie Elliott, Hazlett has now announced a slew of headlines shows across Europe, including UK dates. More details below.
Hazlett was born and raised in Australia but if the past few years are anything to go by, he’s very much bloomed in Sweden. An old friend, one big break-up and playing Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’ three times a night was the unplanned cocktail of moments that saw him throw adulthood to the wayside and venture to the other side of the world. Everything crystallised in Stockholm after finding the fabled collaborator chemistry in now close friend Freddy Alexander. A lot has changed since then and what started as a way for him to “figure out some things in his head…” has now become a whole world of music and beautiful details to move through.
Even though the nerves never quite go away, there’s this newfound quiet confidence to the troubadour from down under. You may not have met, but sometimes when you’re listening to Hazlett, he feels like the only friend you’ve ever had.
The second part of ‘Goodbye to the Valley Low’ EP is out October 4th.
‘Goodbye to the Valley Low’ Vinyl album also out October 4th.
HAZLETT HEADLINE EUROPEAN TOUR:
08.11.2024 – Barcelona, ES @ Razzmatazz 3
09.11.2024 – Madrid, ES @ Clamores
11.11.2024 – Stockholm, SE @ Debaser Strand
14.11.2024 – Oslo, NO @ Belleville
16.11.2024 – Copenhagen, DK @ Stengade
17.11.2024 – Hamburg, DE @ Nochtwach
18.11.2024 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso (Upstairs Room) SOLD OUT
19.11.2024 – Antwerp, NL @ Kavka
21.11.2024 – London, UK @ Lafayette *upgraded from Omeara
22.11.2024 – Bristol, UK @ Dareshack *upgraded from The Louisiana
23.11.2024 – Manchester, UK @ Deaf Institute
24.11.2024 – Dublin, IE @ Grand Social
26.11.2024 – Glasgow, UK @ Glad Cafe
27.11.2024 – Birmingham, UK @ Hare and Hounds
29.11.2024 – Paris, FR @ Backstage by the Mill
01.12.2024 – Cologne, DE @ Jaki
02.12.2024 – Frankfurt, DE @ Sankt Peter Cafe
03.12.2024 – Munich, DE @ Milla
04.12.2024 – Rubigen, CH @ Mühle Hunziken
05.12.2024 – Zurich, CH @ Exil
07.12.2024 – Vienna, AT @ Chelsea
08.12.2024 – Prague, CZ @ Cafe V Lese
09.12.2024 – Berlin, DE @ Privat Club
-Official bio
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