Interview: The Hedgerow Folk
Following the release of The Hedgerow Folk's new single 'Never A Day', Louder Than The Music spoke with band member Amanda Hammett to find out more about the group, their music, and what influences them to make it.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourselves and how you got involved in making music?
Jon and I met leading worship in our local church in 2012. Jon had been writing some songs and invited me in to collaborate with him on those. Bryant and Jon had been in a band together in previous years, so the three of us joined together in creating music and we became The Hedgerow Folk.
Tell us about your new single 'Never A Day' and what the inspiration behind it was?
Most of the songs we write are birthed from processing life and our own struggles, honestly. And this song began to form from the idea that when we put our trust in Jesus, we immediately have a bullseye on our back that the enemy is targeting. The line “there was a never a day I remember, when I didn’t hear a voice telling me lies” speaks into the battle we face in our minds each day between God’s truth and the lies of the enemy. But when we remember the truth and love that God has already spoken over our lives through the blood of Jesus, those lies can be silenced.
And you have a new EP coming soon, what can you tell us about that?
Sure! We’ll be releasing a 5 song EP in late August to early September. It will include our single “God Who Sees Me” (released in 2018) along with “Never a Day” and three new songs.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
First of all, that they are deeply loved and known by the God of the universe and that He is actively speaking to them. And second, to live from a firm belief that Jesus is worth it, and when our lives and hearts are completely surrendered to Him, we experience true freedom and peace.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
We always have trouble answering that question! Our sound isn’t just like anything we’ve heard, honestly. Our musical tastes and styles combine to create a unique sound. Someone once referred to us as “ambient bluegrass” and we resonate with that. Folk is a big part of who we are, but Bryant also brings in an ambience and ethereal sound in production that reflects the contemplative nature of our lyrics. Our influences come from an eclectic mix of artists like The Beatles, Radiohead, Johnny Cash, Arcade Fire, All Sons & Daughters and John Mark McMillan just to name a few.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
In the Christian music world, we have a lot of respect for John Mark McMillan so writing with him would be pretty awesome.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
Personally we define success as being obedient to whatever God asks us to do in this ministry. And we pray that the fruit of that obedience will be music that leads our listeners into deeper intimacy with God.
What is your favorite album of all time?
Jon - I’m Wide Awake it’s Morning by Bright Eyes
Bryant - Abbey Road by The Beatles
Amanda - Of Dirt and Grace (Live From The Land) by Hillsong United
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
Jon - Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin
Bryant - Penny Lane by The Beatles
Amanda - Goodness of God by Jason Ingram
What does the next year hold for you?
We’ll continue to be open to writing any new music God is putting in our hearts. And we hope to get out and play more live shows. It just feels like the Lord meets us in this music when we have the opportunity to share songs live, especially in intimate settings. So we’d love more of that when we can all be together again!
