Check out the latest single from singer and virtuoso harmonica-player Shawn Hall, also known as The Harpoonist. Upbeat, irreverent and great fun, “Heartbreak Autobahn” is lyrically and musically engrossing with wonderfully rhythmic harp and Hall’s distinctive, characterful vocal-style. The accompanying video, starring Hall’s father and children, is a brilliantly put together piece of comic cinema.
The single is taken from The Harpoonist’s debut solo album, which was produced by Canadian blues star, and founding member Big Sugar, Gordie Johnson. The new album, “Did We Come Here to Dance”, is out now. After 17 years as one half of the duo The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, this new venture blends genres and showcases his song-craft. He says of the new solo work: “I think it captures my sense of humour a lot more, often with really absurd imagery, so it breathes truer to my personality than my previous incarnation. There is also a heavy attention to groove, and off the wall hooks while never losing touch with the pulse. Making sense of these musical influences is my harp playing threading a sort of narrative.” Hall also describes the 10-day recording process as hugely enjoyable and inspiring. Of working with Gordie Johnson, he notes: “He has these three shacks he calls the Sugar Shacks down the hill from his house that overlook Dripping Springs, Texas…One for drumming, the other for his guitars, the other for singing and mixing. We would bounce back and forth between shacks and write lyrics on the deck.” The result is a sound as joyful as the creative process. Enjoy.
