Hayward Williams w/ John Statz

Friday, March 28, 2008

"Hayward Williams' earnestly jaunty folk-rock might seem anachronistic in the prevailing musical atmosphere of self-conscious irony, but his combination of melody, restraint, and unabashed enthusiasm saves the day. Williams also boasts a voice that sounds several decades older than he actually is, lending his songs of love and loss a gravity they might not otherwise possess." - The Onion

Ahhh, where to start? The exquisite gruffness of a manly voice that belies the strip of a lad who appears on the photographs? The moving, intelligent storytelling, from which "Doctors" and "Problems with Hemingway" stand out --- but only just --- from the crowd? Or the new-alt-country-blues (and will you forgive me that phrase) of the sound, put to beautiful use on 'Devil's Lament'? In truth, its hard to put it into words; this is a fantastic record, one that's a treat from start to finish. On first listen, the cover of Thunder Road strikes a jarring note; when your songs are as good as Hayward's there seems no need to walk in another's shoes, but several goes later and it melds in seamlessly. You'll like this." - Americana UK

Given a guitar by his grandmother when he was 15 years old, John Statz quickly put his background in music from playing the piano and trombone to good use. After playing in a few different bands, John began to delve into songwriting at the age of 19. Now 23, he has already played all over Wisconsin, as well as in 12 other states and the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

Since 2007 began, John has already embarked on his first Spring Tour, visiting Dallas, Kansas City, and many more cities along the way, and recently won a MAMA award for "Folk/Americana Album of the Year" for his first album, "Dusk Came Slow".