Americana rocker Will Hawkins performs at the Cinema Bar this week, so he told the News about what he has in store for Culver City…
When did you start playing and performing? When did the band form?
I started singing in cover bands in high school and then while going to college in NYC I started doing originals and performing around NYC at Brownies, Wetlands, The Living room and Mercury Lounge. I came up in the lower east side scene with Norah Jones, Ray LaMontagne and Ryan Adams and released some solo albums that allowed me to tour around the US, Canada and Europe.
Describe your sound…
I take my influences from Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, The Replacements and Neil Young and have settled into what is now known as Americana Rock.
What are your career highlights so far?
Performing at The Troubadour a few years ago was a real blast and getting to work with some of my heroes like legendary engineer Al Schmitt (Dylan, McCartney, Miles Davis) , bassist Leland Sklat (Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Jackson Brown), drummer Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty) and guitarist Marty Rifkin (Bruce Springsteen, Glen Camnpbell) has been a real thrill.
What recorded music is available — particularly the most recent?
I have a few solo albums out and my band Nine Mile Station released a critically acclaimed album called BAZAR in 2023. More recently I released a few singles for my solo project and have an album called “From the City To The Sea” releasing everywhere on August 22nd.
Have you performed at Cinema Bar before?
I have performed many times at the CInema Bar, the most memorable was the first time guitarist Fernando Perdomo sat in with Nine Mile Station. Our regular guy bailed last minute and Fernando jumped in without a rehearsal and we blew the rook off the place. I had met him after he was featured in the documentary Echo In The Canyon and was blown away by his playing…after the Cinema Bar show he joined the band and we went on to making a record, getting play on the radio and touring all over the place together.
What can we expect from the set this time?
I’ll be performing with an amazing band and will dip into some Nine Mile Station favorites, but will mostly be focusing on new solo material off my upcoming album From The City To The Sea.
What else do you have coming up?
My new solo album From the City To The Sea will be releasing on all streaming platforms on August 22nd.
Will Hawkins performs at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 at the Cinema Bar. Go to thecinemabar.com for more information about the venue.
Elsewhere this week
The Culver Hotel will be hosting the likes of Sylvia & the Rhythm Boys and and Scotty Bramer. Go to culverhotel.com for more info.
The next concert at Boulevard Music is on July 26, with Whole Hog and Mike Mullins. Go to boulevardmusic.com for more info.