Hazey Janes are performing on a Levellers playing field

May 6 2008 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

DUNDEE-based foursome The Hazey Janes have mixed with some pretty heady company since their rich fusion of folk, country rock and power-pop burst on to the Scottish music scene in 2003.

Their Perth big-venue debut was supporting Hothouse Flowers at Perth Concert Hall in October 2006, and other credits include supports with Snow Patrol and Idlewild.

They’re on the road now promoting their new single – New York – out on May 19. It’s the first single from their eagerly-anticipated second album which is out later this year.

Five days after the release of the single, The Hazey Janes come to Perth Concert Hall to support the Levellers.

“We’re pretty big fans of the Levellers,” said Hazey Janes’ lead vocallist Andrew Mitchell. “If we can keep going for half as long as they have we’ll be doing really well.”

Six-piece punk folk-rockers, the Levellers are celebrating 20 years playing high-energy music with lyrics often bearing the social conscience of a nation.

The Hazey Janes music is not a mile away from the Levellers’ sound, combining punchy power-pop with a folkie/country rock tinge and heartfelt lyrics with melodious harmonies.

All four members are from Dundee. Andrew and Matthew Marra, son of the inimitable Michael Marra, started playing music together when they were at school, then Matthew’s sister Alice joined the band. The other Hazey Jane is Liam Brennan.

Their first album, Hotel Radio, was recorded in Spain in 2005 and was mixed by US producer John Agnello.

“We recorded the follow-up at his residential studio in New Jersey,” added Andrew, “We went over for nine days in March then off to Amsterdam for a festival then back to the States for two weeks to finish it off.

“We played some concerts while we were over there which were really good. People there seemed very open minded to our music.”

The new album, Hands Around the City, builds upon Hotel Radio.

Andrew added: “We think this latest material tells of a band which still cleaves to its basic sound but which has matured.”