Hazlett is an independent, multi-instrumentalist, singing and songwriting rocker from western Canada. Currently working out of the Edmonton, Alberta area, Hazlett grew up on a diverse musical diet consisting of Lenny Kravitz, U2, Queen, The Tragically Hip, the Smashing Pumpkins, Jamiroquai, and Jeff Buckley to name a few. He has played in a band of some kind or other for the better part of 25 years, developing his songcraft and refining his guitar, bass, drums, and vocal styles along the way. A completely self-taught musician, Hazlett is also self-taught in the studio. Out of necessity, he personally hones his art all the way from the songwriting stage to the final mastered product. With the exception of drums (“Brodie is just better than me” he says), everything you hear in his songs are played, sung, recorded, mixed, and mastered by him, which delivers a uniquely personal perspective. Very rarely do you hear music that is so completely the product of the person who wrote it. His songs come directly from his “Sweet Piggy Studios” (currently located next to the laundry room in a storage space) to your ears. Currently engaged in a full-time professional career and part-time career as a Reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces, Hazlett’s music career is carried out on the evenings and weekends he is not busy with family or working as a soldier. Upon returning from a deployment in Kuwait, he completed a new album entitled “Fake Freedom” (27 March 2020). The lead-off single, “Entitled”, is available now on Bandcamp, with a music video on YouTube.
Music, to me, is a higher level of communication. It adds a fourth dimension to a message. I make music because I have an inherent drive to create. I love finding new ways to make sounds that connect with people.
To have my songs resonate on a personal level with the listener. That's it. I'm not in it for the money (although, it would be nice to get paid), and certainly not into fame.
The family. Strong, loving families are the foundation of a strong, stable society.
Sunday Bloody Sunday.
U2, Tragically Hip, Smashing Pumpkins, Big Wreck, Jeff Buckley, Regina Spektor, The Beatles, Yes, Ingrid Michaelson, Jason Mraz...
Listening to other artists. I love hearing something fresh. It makes me want to get in the studio and start creating.
I think my overarching message is that whatever you're going through, you can overcome. You can make it, you can become something more than you are now.
If the audience is into it and giving me some positive energy back, I feel elated. If they're indifferent, I'm bored too. There has to be some kind of connection in order to drive an emotional response.
The reality is that it's hard to make any money. The biggest reason for that is streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. They have taken the profits away from the record labels. The artist (still) gets screwed. I think it takes only a simple shift in order to improve things for the artist. Give them a proportional percentage of the listeners' subscriptions based on volume of plays. The streaming service can be profitable by keeping 10% of the subscription fee and paying the rest out, proportionately, to the artist.
I don't know yet. Just checking it out.
Not having enough time to dedicate to making music. And marketing myself.
As much as I can. Mostly by seeking them out online and listening to their music.
Good songs, and money doesn't hurt.
Fields of Green, Redfish, She Hangs Brightly.