33 year old American singer/songwriter Mayer Hawthorne proves that when it comes to music, you shouldn’t judge a CD by it’s album cover. On the outside, Hawthorne looks like a geek/hipster hybrid of some kind but OOOH CHILD…that voice is sweet as candy. Picture a more soulful, R&B, less jazzy version of Harry Connick Jr. or something like that. Perhaps a more laid back Eli “Paperboy” Reed? This guy’s good, whoever you think he sounds like. This is admittedly my first time listening to Hawthorne, and I’m kicking myself once again for being late for the train. Check out the Toby Lockerbie-directed video for “The Walk,” featuring British hip hop duo Rizzle Kicks, due out in the UK May 21st on iTunes.
Taken from Mayer Hawthorne‘s sophomore album, How Do You Do, “The Walk” was originally released sans Rizzle Kicks as Hawthorne’s first single. Check out Mayer Hawthorne performing the song on The Late Show with David Letterman back on October 25th of last year. “The Walk” in it’s original format, peaked at #45 on Billboard‘s Rock Songs chart, while How Do You Do stalled out at #52 on the Billboard 200.
Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Mayer Hawthorne is now based in Los Angeles and signed to Stones Throw Records. Among his influences, Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, Barry White, and Smokey Robinson, to name just a few. His soulful sounds have attracted the attention of major artists over the years including Bruno Mars, the late great Amy Winehouse and Chromeo, all of whom asked him to join them on tour. Hawthorne released his debut album, A Strange Arrangement on September 9th 2009, preceded by the album’s lead single “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out“/”When I Said Goodbye.”
Download How Do You Do on U.S. iTunes HERE and in the UK HERE. Look out for the new Rizzle Kicks version of “The Walk” on UK iTunes May 21st.