New York rock outfit Hazel Gaze bring together musicians whose backgrounds stretch from Broadway pits and classical training to recording sessions, touring and the city's bars and clubs. That collective experience takes centre stage on their latest project 'Strung Out: Live & Unplugged at the Brooklyn Conservatory', a performance inspired by the classic unplugged sessions of the 90s and 2000s.
Recorded live at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music by Grammy-nominated engineer Daniel Alba, the project strips back the band's rock sound while introducing a full string section, creating something that retains the grit of their music while revealing a more expansive, orchestral dimension.
Lead single ‘Do As You Please’ provides a fitting introduction. Described by Hazel Gaze as “Sophisticated Spite”, the song turns the end of a relationship into a playful statement of independence, with raspy lead vocals, tightly integrated harmonies and strings given room to breathe within the live arrangement.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
[Russ] When I was very young, I remember seeing The Bay City Rollers on TV (I realize I’m dating myself!) and I just thought the guitar was so cool. It spoke to me in a way nothing else did. As I grew, this fascination continued, although my musical tastes changed! But the guitar was a consistent theme throughout my youth, eventually becoming an obsession. I’m proud to say my wife is even a guitar expert now!
[Hanz] Also, Guitar
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
[Russ] Well, aside from my previous Bay City Rollers comment, I was always a rock ‘n roll kid, with tastes ranging from Led Zeppelin to Pink Floyd to Queen to The Allman Brothers. I was a bit all over the place, but that’s one of the great things about rock music, there are so many sub-genres.
[Hanz] From an early age I always liked blues-based rock music.
What was the first album you remember owning?
[Russ] – As far as ‘owning’, it would probably be Spider Man when I was 4 or 5 years old. Then maybe The Bay City Rollers a year or so later. But as far as purchasing with my own money, I think Led Zeppelin II and Iron Maiden’s Number of the Beast were amongst the first two I purchased once I was old enough to purchase my own things a couple years later.
[Hanz] The album “Naturally” by the band Three Dog Night
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
[Russ] We’re clearly not in this for the money, but if I were thinking financially, maybe “Happy Birthday” – imagine the residuals on that! Joking aside, there are so many. To be honest, whenever I’m listening to an artist, I hear attributes of songs that make me wish I’d done – it’s all part of the process, appreciating and absorbing things around you. If I had to narrow it down to one, perhaps it would be “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd. But there are so many…
[Hanz] Got nothing for this one.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
[Russ] For me, the key is capturing ideas when they pop into my head, because I rarely remember them the next day. I tend to play guitar most nights, noodling for hours while decompressing in front of the TV. When I come across something I think is catchy, I immediately record it on my phone, whether it’s a guitar riff, a chord progression, a vocal melody or a piano part. I always have music in my head, I’m always tapping my foot or humming a melody (which drives my daughter nuts!). So if you see me singing / humming into my phone while in public, I’m not insane, I’m just trying to capture a musical idea for use later! Once I’m ready to sit down to write, I have tons of idea snippets to work from.
[Hanz] I usually start with a guitar riff or chord progression, and then will write a melody or lyrics over that.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
[Russ] There are so many! It’s a mix of new and old for me: the classics which never get old: The Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin, The Allman Brothers, along with newer artists Rival Sons, Larkin Poe and Parker Barrow, who I just discovered recently. When I’m in the gym or running, my playlist has tons of 80s and 90s rock bands. I also love singer-songwriter stuff and some pop – my daughter got me into Olivia Rodrigo. I can hear so much of the 90s in her.
[Hanz] I really enjoy Larkin Poe at the moment, and have started listening to Philip Sayce. And I recently rediscovered my love for “your favorite band’s favorite band” King’s X. They had fallen off my radar despite my love for them in the late 80s and early 90s. They are still making great albums and putting on great shows.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
[Russ] I hear Ed Sheeran needs some opening acts given all the drama he’s having currently on his stadium tour. Hey Ed.. give us a call!
Personally, I’d play with anyone who would have us that gives us a chance to expand our audience. We’ve played shows with artists that are completely different from us – a great example is we recently played with a wonderful Japanese pop / soul artist. Our music wasn’t similar at all, but we had a great time and we both exposed our audiences to different styles – it was a wonderful night.
[Hanz] I would open for anyone who would have us and plays music in a similar enough vein to ours to where their fans might enjoy us.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
[Russ] For me it’s twofold: the writing and recording portion feeds the creative side of me, while playing live shows is a positive energy that you just can’t describe or duplicate. There’s simply nothing like it.
[Hanz] putting on a live show featuring music composed and arranged by members of my band. Close behind that is watching songs written by members of my band go from a bare bones demo to a final mastered recording that is a wonderful snapshot or representation of where the band was musically at that time.
And what is the most frustrating part?
[Russ] Firstly, I’d say it’s songwriting, because it’s just so hard and something that no matter what you do, you feel you can always do better, so it’s frustrating and satisfying all at the same time. And secondly, it’s all the tangential things you need to do outside of the actual music; from managing a website, doing constant social media updates, creating videos, doing PR campaigns and marketing, trying to establish relationships with promoters, booking agents, venue owners, etc.. the business parts of it. Without doing those things, nobody will ever hear your music, so they’re essential, but they’re also a significant commitment in time and money.
[Hanz] the lack of places for original music bands to play. Most clubs prefer cover, genera or tribute bands because they tend to draw bigger crowds. Understandable from their perspective, but frustrating from ours.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
[Russ] I’d have to say it came from my guitar teacher back in my teenage years. He said “talent doesn’t mean much – everybody’s got it. It really comes down to putting in the hard work consistently.” He was so right – the difference between anything worthwhile and never achieving anything primarily comes down to tenacity, resilience and work ethic. And that’s not just about music – it applies to most things in life.
[Hanz] Many years ago, I had a brief encounter with Steven Tyler from Aerosmith, and asked him what he did to keep from losing his raspy signature voice. His response was something to the effect of “sing till it hurts and then give it a rest. If someone tries to make you keep going, tell them to f**k off.”
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Hazel Gaze's new single 'Do As You Please (Live & Unplugged)' is out now. Watch the new video for it in the player below.