RICHARD HAWLEY RETURNS TO THE U.S. FOR A LIMITED TOUR

DATE:  FEBRUARY 13, 2006
FROM:  MITCH SCHNEIDER/LATHUM NELSON/SHAZILA MOHAMMED
 

 
Acclaimed British balladeer RICHARD HAWLEY has announced a limited number of U.S. concert dates beginning March 16 in Austin, Texas at SXSW in support of his latest album COLE’S CORNER (Mute), which NME hailed for its “songs of overwhelming beauty,” adding that “this is his best yet.” The singer, songwriter and musician, who’ll be making his second-ever trip to the States, is currently enjoying a career surge thanks to the year-end accolades for his third full-length album, which came in at #10 on Mojo magazine’s top 50 albums of  2005 critic’s poll. Backed by a four-piece band, the four-date tour will also stop at Tractor Tavern in Seattle (March 20), Knitting Factory in Los Angeles (March 21) and Sin-é in New York City (March 23).

On Thursday, March 16 at SXSW, HAWLEY will be featured at the BBC Radio 2 artist showcase at Austin Music Hall. In addition to HAWLEY, the event will feature such U.K. acts as Morrissey, Goldfrapp, The Zutons and Corinne Bailey Rae.

During his trip to the U.S. HAWLEY will also be performing live on three of the country's most influential radio stations: KEXP/Seattle (Monday March 20, on 'The Morning Show with John Richards'), WNYC/New York (Thursday March 23, on 'Soundcheck'), and WFUV New York (Thursday March 23, program TBC).

Of his recent show at the Apollo Victoria theatre in London, The Observer raved: “Live, Hawley and his band reproduce their magnificent songs from Cole's Corner with even greater thrum and sway. Most thrilling of all is Hawley's voice, a tremendous Roy Orbison croon. It pours out of Hawley's unassuming frame like it doesn't belong in it, never faltering even as his band's dignified rumble grows in intensity. They swap between countryish lopes and moody cinematics, all delivered with effortless classicism” (2/5/06).

Hailed by Filter Magazine for “smoking balladry and smoldering torch songs,” COLE’S CORNER defies today’s pop landscape to reward listeners with music the Los Angeles Times praised as “engrossing, very romantic.” Album standouts include the “The Ocean,” a simple, loving tribute that swells with beautiful grandeur; the title track, which gracefully depicts the anticipation of a romantic encounter; and “Just Like The Rain,” a song that laments the memory of a lost relationship. “I think there’s a flow to the record,” says HAWLEY. “I’m expressing how I feel, truthfully. And when people tell the truth, no matter how ugly it is, it can’t help but be a beautiful thing.”

Distinguished by reverb-sweetened guitars, pianos and the occasional string section, COLE’S CORNER is highlighted by HAWLEY’s smooth baritone voice, which Harp magazine described as “rich and thick as poured cream and it spills down smoothly over his warm, wistful compositions.” As The Sun (U.K.) noted, the album “sounds like a long-lost masterpiece.”

HAWLEY, primarily a guitarist for 90s in bands such as Pulp and Longpigs who never took the mike at center stage, started the new millennium by discovering his own voice and launching a new career as a solo artist, releasing the critically acclaimed albums Last Night Final (2001) and Lowedges (2003). Music fans drawn in by the sincere tones in his voice were treated to charming compositions of love, sorrow and hope.

Here’s a sample of the critical reaction to RICHARD HAWLEY and COLE’S CORNER:
 
U.S. PRESS

"A resonant meditation on the place in Sheffield where all the city's lovers used to meet, including his parents. Quiet, engrossing, very romantic."

"This years most wistfully romantic album"

"A sumptuous assortment of broken-hearted love songs that echo the most subtly dramatic of Roy Orbison and the Everly Brothers, the sorrow of Charlie Rich, the lushness of British cult favorite Scott Walker and the sophistication of Brian Ferry. It's all of a piece ideal for late night listening."

"Prepare to fall in love with the British crooner's romantic balladry."

"The title cut is an ode to…a pub where many people have met for pints, fell in love, and had their hearts broken; Cole’s Corner is the soundtrack for all these experiences and then some.”

"More romantic than anything Hollywood’s ever come up with."

"If melodramatic, lush string arrangements are your thing (and they're definitely ours once autumn rolls around), Coles Corner will add a new volume to the soundtrack of your life."

"Sublime, sorrowful songwriting that's achingly sung and impeccably arranged."

"Coles Corner is unapologetically retro to the max but it works…Hawley resides deep inside this material, writing songs with the melodic muscle to stand up to standards."

"Perfect listening for the broken hearted and bewildered."

"Culling his songcrafting style from Roy Orbison and Frank Sinatra, Hawley amazes by taking the time to explore classic balladry within a modern context. Smokey and thick vocals swirl with the ghosts of grand orchestras as Hawley rightfully takes his place among the Old masters.”
–TOKION MAGAZINE

"A lush, vivid, and yes, romantic record."

"Free of irony and stripped of artifice, file this one under classic in both style and sophistication."

 
U.K. PRESS

“Genius.”
            —MOJO

 

“How on earth did Richard Hawley Keep such a voice under wraps for so long?”

“Lachrymose romance, lush strings and a sense of humor.”

“Sincere and peculiarly English.”
            —WORD

“One of this year’s finest albums.”
            —THE TIMES

“One of the great records of recent years.”
            —THE GUARDIAN

Tour dates for RICHARD HAWLEY:

Date                          CITY/STATE                        VENUE

Thu      3/16                 Austin, Texas                        Austin Music Hall (SXSW)

Mon     3/20                 Seattle, WA                          Tractor Tavern (KEXP Presents)

Tue      3/21                 LA, CA                                Knitting Factory (KCRW Presents)

Thu      3/23                 New York City, NY                  Sin-é