Lawrence band releases new album
On June 5, Brendan Hangauer's indie rock band, Fourth of July, will release “Fourth of July on the Plains,” their long-awaited national debut album after playing music around the Kansas City and Lawrence area for the past five or so years.
“Fourth of July on the Plains” was recorded over a period of five days from noon until midnight at Mixtape Soundlab in Lawrence, and it will be released on Range Life Records, an independent label which was started last year by Brendan's older brother, Zachary.
Over the years, Fourth of July has grown to become a sextet of talented musicians which includes Brendan's brothers, Patrick and Kelly, Steve Swyers, Adrianne Verhoeven, and Brian Costello.
It was during the past year, however, when things really started to come together within the band when Swyers and Costello were added to the lineup.
“The best thing about the Fourth of July is the chemistry among the members. We are all great friends, as well as professional musicians,” Costello said.
Originally mainly a folk band, it has evolved over the years and “Fourth of July on the Plains” became much more of a rock album. However, the folk influences of Townes Van Zandt and Bob Dylan can still be clearly heard.
Of the twelve songs on the album, each one is a hit within itself. With every song creating as many hooks and choruses as the one before, there is not much down time on the record. Thus, the album leaves the listener ready to start it over as the final track ends.
“I am absolutely happy with the turnout of the album. The guys at Mixtape did a great job. Jim Vollentine, at Jack Rock Studios in Austin, did a phenomenal job with the mixing and mastering as well, especially with the vocals. The sound and energy is perfect,” Costello said.
After the record is released, Fourth of July plans to be keeping it on the “plains” for the summer by doing a small Midwestern tour to promote it and jumpstart themselves as a band outside of Lawrence and Kansas City.
“The idea is to do a 10-14 day tour in late June where we are going to go through the Midwest and parts of the South, you know some real sweaty southern rock shows,” Costello said. “After we get a small tour under our belt, hopefully we can grab a booking agent which would allow us to have a big tour sometime in the fall.”
But before they hit the road this summer, Fourth of July will be having their CD release party on Saturday, June 2, at the Bottleneck in Lawrence with fellow locals the Roseline opening.
