Mayer Hawthorne grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, just outside of Detroit, and vividly remembers, as a child, driving with his father and tuning the car radio in to the rich soul and jazz history the region provided. “Most of the best music ever made came out of Detroit,” claims the singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, who counts Isaac Hayes, Leroy Hutson, Mike Terry, and Barry White among his influences, but draws the most inspiration from the music of Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, and the legendary songwriting and production trio of Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, and Eddie Holland Jr. The “retro” tag is added to almost any contemporary work that sounds like it was originally recorded between 1966 and 1974, and Hawthorne, among the newest contributors to the genre, is aware of how trends come and go. After being introduced to Stones Throw label head Peanut Butter Wolf by mutual friend Noelle Scaggs of the Rebirth, even his current boss was skeptical. “He showed me two songs and I didn’t understand what I was listening to,” Wolf recalls. “I asked him if they were old songs that he did re-edits of – I couldn’t believe they were new songs and that he played all the instruments.” And after meeting in person, it was even harder for Wolf to believe that Hawthorne.
Website
Records:
Mayer Hawthorne – I wish it would rain, Stones Throw
Mayer Hawthorne – One track mind, Stones Throw
Mayer Hawthorne – Green Eyed Love, Stones Throw
Mayer Hawthorne – When I Said Goodbye, Stones Throw
Mayer Hawthorne – I Need You, Stones Throw
In celebration of Stones Throw Records 15-year anniversary, the label is hosting a series of shows with Stones Throw artists recording live, directly to vinyl, in front of an intimate audience at Capsule Labs studio/pressing plant. Each series is invite only to 100-150 lucky fans. The sets are recorded straight to vinyl LP in real time. No computers, tape, or digital gear are used in the recording. Side D is blank. Limited to only 500 units on vinyl!
