Christmas will be coming early this year for Sister Hazel fans (aka Hazelnuts)! First, the Gainesville, FL natives are set to join Phil Vassar on their joint Jingle Jam Live tour kicking off December 2nd. Eight days later, fans will be treated to the release of Before The Amplifiers 2 (Live & Acoustic with Strings) – a 16-track album that includes never before recorded songs as well as reimagined versions of some of the band’s massive hits such as “All For You” and ”Champagne High” as well as “Your Winter (Live & Acoustic With Strings),” premiering exclusively today with The Country Note.
Loved by Hazelnuts and fans of the movie 10 Things I Hate About You, “Your Winter” was originally released in 2000 on SH’s Fortress album and has been a fan-favorite ever since, which was a big reason why it’s the first single off the new album. “Your Winter” has been a staple in our set since we started playing it after our album Fortress was released,” says Ryan Newell. “It’s been a fan favorite for a long time. This particular version pretty much sums up the direction of the whole album. Right out of the gate it shows the interplay of the string quartet with the band and is a good representation of what we achieved sonically and emotionally.”
Check out the exclusive premiere of “Your Winter (Live & Acoustic With Strings)” below:
Ryan shared some more exclusive behind-the-scenes information about the new release of “Your Winter” and Before The Amplifiers 2 (Live & Acoustic with Strings), and the Jingle Jam Live tour:
Was Before The Amplifiers 2 (Live & Acoustic with Strings) planned or did you get to make it because you weren’t able to tour?
We always knew that we wanted to do another live acoustic record. The last one was Unplugged from Daryl’s House Club. That was a straight up Sister Hazel acoustic performance much like our previous acoustic record. We always wanted to do an acoustic record with strings, dobro, mandolin classical guitar, all the stuff we don’t carry on the road. The timing never seemed to work out until the COVID shut down. We were streaming shows because we were not touring and we thought it was a great opportunity to put this show together and put it out as an album.
What are you excited for most about this project?
We have played many orchestra shows with big string arrangements and it always blows me away how strings can take songs to a higher emotional level. This record has a quartet of strings, so it is more refined, but I’m excited about the new arrangements and the new peaks and valleys in the songs. These songs have never been presented this way and I love how they landed.
How does the “Your Winter” differ acoustically – physically in performance, but also maybe how the song comes across?
“Your Winter” was written acoustically and was originally demoed acoustically. That demo was passed along to the music director of the movie 10 Things I Hate About You. They flew us out to Los Angeles and we made it a full band production. This was before we put it on a record. As a full band it has a lot of raw power but I feel like we kept the emotional vibe intact. This version retains the intensity, but feels more intimate. I think it comes across more contemplative than urgent.
What’s it like to reflect on the fact that the band has now been recording for almost half of their life?
Gratitude is really the only word that sums it up. We have been blessed with a creative outlet. Somehow, we have been able to keep this together. Everyone has creative input and creative satisfaction. All of our voices are heard and all of our strengths are accentuated. If any of us felt that we were not being represented, the band would have broken up or we would have lost members along the way. It’s not easy. Many people say that democracy in a band doesn’t work. It takes a dictator. Those bands broke up a long time ago. We have developed a way to let the person who is the most passionate at the time, steer the ship. That person changes, not only from show to show, album to album, but also song to song as well. And we share those opportunities. We have learned to know when to step back and be a team player or step up and run the show. Fortunately, we are all up for the task. We are all qualified and respected.
What does the music career mean to you at this point?
We have seen so many of our talented peers come and go. For one reason or another, they are not doing this anymore. No shame, no judgment, family, wives, sick of the road…For me , the fact that we have always put family first and allowed our career to coexist with the most important things in life, which are wives, sons, daughters and family. We have carved out a living that is true to our spirit and passion. This could never happen unless there were people out there supporting you and enjoying your craft and if you didn’t create an environment that was healthy for family. It is a blessing and that doesn’t get past me. Truly humbled and thankful.
You’re touring with Phil Vasser this holiday season. What are some gigs you’re particularly excited about and why?
Well, all of them!!! I’m a huge Phil Vasser fan and to see him play every night is a massive treat. Not only do we get to see him work his magic on stage every night, we actually get to sit in with him and play some tunes together.
How’s 2022 looking? You’re booked in Germany and Mexico. That must be exciting!
We have played our annual The Rock Boat cruise since 2001. Due to COVID we have to take off 2022. What a better opportunity for a European cruise! All the way up the Rhine River! As far as Mexico goes…. we are playing with our dear friends, Hootie and the Blowfish. We have known those guys since the “van and trailer” days and can’t wait to play with our pals. The blessed times continue.
Pre-save/add “Your Winter (Live & Acoustic with Strings)” here: https://lnk.to/yourwinter
Before The Amplifiers 2 (Live & Acoustic with Strings) will be released via Croakin’ Poets Records on physical and digital CD on December 10th and is available now for pre-save/pre-order: https://lnk.to/beforetheamp2