It’s pretty rare that you find a white kid from Detroit that is able to produce Motown style arrangements and back it up with one hell of a singing voice. Enter Mayer Hawthorne, a Detroit artist who is reinventing the way that people view R&B through a revival of tracks resembling artists such as Otis Redding, the Temptations, etc. His album Strange Arrangements, released in September of 2009 is a great nostalgic record; an undertaking that Hawthorne is quoted as ‘having to learn to sing’ in order to create. Mayer Hawthorne will also appear at SXSW 2010.
Describing his music as ‘fun’ Hawthorne says that being from Detroit is where he draws most of his influence. The Motown label and the city as a whole heavily contributes to his crooning vocal style and soulful arrangements. Originally, Hawthorne wanted to pursue rap, but switched to soul/R&B when president of Stones Throw Records Peanut Butter Wolf showed interest in his soul demos.
Drawing from musical influences including Steely Dan, Smashing Pumpkins, Frank Sinatra, Janet Jackson, and many others have given Mayer Hawthorne his unique and diverse sound. Don’t miss Mayer Hawthorne at SXSW 2010 and catch some classic Motown mixed with current day R&B and soul, all done by a white kid. Mayer Hawthorne is a truly unique act and a perfect example of the diversity and creativity that the Detroit underground has to offer.
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