by martina rexrode
photo by kyle dobie
Australian-born indie-folk artist Hazlett released his first single of the year “Bones Shake” a month ago. Since then, he’s completed a European tour opening for Calum Scott and is preparing to open for Ocie Elliott in Europe at the end of this month. His upcoming EP is a second part to his EP Goodbye to the Valley Low released at the end of last year. Unclear was lucky enough to catch him amid all of his tour stops to talk about his new single, his plans for the year, and what it’s like supporting different artists on tour.
Congratulations on “Bones Shake!” In the couple weeks since its release, how has the reception to this single been?
Hazlett: “Thank you very much. It’s been great so far, I think. A bunch of folks seeing a moment of themselves in it, which is always the most heartwarming thing for me. People listening, interpreting and claiming it as their own.”
Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration or the meaning behind this song?
Hazlett: “It’s based around the thought of running away and how I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing. Sometimes you need a little space when you mess up or things go badly, so you can see it all a little more clearly before moving forward.”
What made you choose “Bones Shake” as your first single of 2024?
Hazlett: “For me, when writing you’re always waiting for one of those subtle moments that feels like a nudge saying ‘you’re in the right time and place.’ ‘Bones Shake’ was the first time I’ve had that in a while. I’ve never really thought of music as being attached to a calendar year though, it’s more just as the collection of songs or point in time it belongs to. So ‘Bones Shake’ just felt like a key moment in the Goodbye to the Valley Low world and was the natural next step in the story.”
After releasing your debut album and an EP last year, how are you feeling about putting more music out this year? Will future releases feel similar to styles and themes you’ve tapped into before, or will there be noticeable differences?
Hazlett: “Looking back it was a lot of music, but in my head creatively it never felt like I was forcing any of it, I’m just trying to stay in tune with that elusive writer’s feeling. Write if I’m inspired or have something to say and if I reach that point where I don’t, I’ve got to try and make sure I go and find ways to fill up my cup a little more. Yeah, the EP at the end of the year was actually just part one of an album. So part two is coming along later this year. It all revolves around that cabin and the feeling that I found out there.”
How has touring treated you? What are your favorite parts of providing support for other artists on the road?
Hazlett: “Touring is great, but it’s tough being far from home and spending a lot of time by myself. It can get pretty isolating and lonesome surprisingly. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Because my favorite thing about it all is just being able to meet one or two people after a show that liked a few songs. That’s the thing that keeps me going on the low days, as cheesy as that may sound. I could write a hundred songs in my bedroom and it almost means nothing if I haven’t got people to share them with, so I owe everything to the artists who have given me a shot opening for them.”
How does touring in North America differ from touring in Europe?
Hazlett: “I love exploring new places, so being from Australia both feel exciting to me. In Europe it’s all quite close together and you’re changing countries and cultures quite a lot so I imagined that touring North America was going to feel more cohesive than that. But I was wrong, it was so exciting seeing just how different it all was state to state, city to city. Driving from the midwest, down to Florida then making my way all across the country and ending up in Seattle. It strangely felt very similar to Europe where each place felt so different from the next. But there’s also this romantic rite of passage about touring America that feels strangely nostalgic in a way.”
Have you played “Bones Shake” live yet? Are you going to play any unreleased songs on this next stretch of tour dates?
Hazlett: “I’ve played it a few times in the US and Europe recently before it came out. But it’s been a gut feeling kind of decision night to night. If I had a good soundcheck and I’m feeling confident, I’d throw it in the set. It’s tough though because it’s such a sentimental song to me, so I want to do it justice. Now that it’s actually out though it’s time to make it a permanent fixture in the set list moving forward.”
Is there anything else you’d like to share about this single or anything we might expect from you this year?
Hazlett: “I just hope it keeps finding the right people. I hope that for all my music. I know how much certain songs have found me at the right time, saved me and I’m forever grateful for that. So I always thought the best thing I can do is to just pay it forward and keep writing and touring while I can, telling my stories in the hopes that it does that for someone else too.”