The band name is likely a concession to our current world of digital media where a search may turn up a hotel chain rather than a musical group. Dig just a bit deeper and we learn that we already know these two musical veterans. The principals are KP Hawthorn (formerly Kirsten Proffit) on lead vocals and acoustic guitar and husband Johnny Hawthorn on lead vocals, electric guitars and lap steel. Rounding out the band are Matt Lucich on drums, Eliot Lorango on bass, Kaitlin Wolfberg on strings and Sasha Smith on keys. Morning Sun is an electrified, high energy Americana effort featuring rousing and jangling guitar from Johnny and lush vocal harmonies from the couple.
Before forming the band in Los Angeles, the HawtThorns enjoyed successful careers of their own, in the intersecting worlds of rock, country, and pop music. California native KP, embarked on a solo career in 2006. In 2012, KP toured nationally with her band CALICO (Jaime Wyatt and Manda Mosher were bandmates.) This trio of songwriters’ nostalgic sound nodded to Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, and other icons of California’s country-rock golden days. KP also found success as a producer, most notably for Alice Wallace in the coastal country mode. on behalf of the female-owned Rebelle Road label.
Johnny Hawthorn is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, lead guitarist, and record producer too. He has also been a touring member of Toad the Wet Sprocket and Everclear. To date, he’s released three albums as a solo artist. Like many of their respective projects as producers, this album has multiple producers, engineers and mixers yet the band configuration is consistent throughout. The HawtThorns. Producers are Eric Corne (Jaime Wyatt, Sam Morrow) and KP Hawthorn and Steve Berns, with whom KP often works. KP takes full or partial credit for nine of the eleven tunes while Johnny does the same for four. The one cover is John Moreland’s “Nobody Gives a Damn About Songs Anymore.”
The disc begins with the single “Shaking,” innocent and bright sounding, with lyrics that speak of a turbulent relationship, infused deceptively with “ooh ooh ooh” harmonies. KP comments “…is a tune about two people who can never quite get it together, despite all their efforts. We find ourselves in different phases of life at different times; some days everything lines up and the timing is right for a real connection. Other times we find ourselves doing just the opposite of what someone else needs from us.”
”Rebel Road,” as its abridged label name, is an anthem about empowerment for independent women. The title track is every bit as bright as the title implies, the prototypical coastal California sound. Then we get the contrast of Johnny’s songwriting – flat our rock n’ roll with a splash of punk in “Give Me a Sign.” He lets loose with his guitar solos and power chords in his songs, while playing in support of the song on KP’s. Those familiar with L.A. will enjoy “The 405,” the fabled freeway known mostly for horrific traffic jams but rendered here as a dreamy symbol of distance between elusive lovers as Johnny plays evocative lap steel. “All I Know” is a KP-Johnny co-write and has more of the latter’s heartland rock n’ roll vibe.
”Come Back from the Stars” features KP’s best vocal, glorious harmonies, and dream-like country-rock. While Moreland delivered his tune in rather angry fashion, it comes off as matter-of-fact folk-rock here. The last two are KP/Johnny co-writes. “Steady Fire” is their signature style of amped-up Americana, the kind we used to call country rock. They close in duet fashion with the acoustic ditty “Lucky Charm,” trading verses and singing together on the choruses.
This is highly melodic, bouncy music perfect for that car ride or blaring outdoor speakers while you bask in great outdoor weather. The HawtThorns will leave you smiling.
