aWI was fortunate to catch the live debut performance of Waxheart at Wicked Good Sandwiches during Tour De Ville and was blown away by their music and stage presence. I was excited to sit down with the band at Layne Robertson’s studio and was blown away by what this band is doing musically as well as artistically.
As I got to know the band and learn of what their creative process looks like, Hannah Wolfe, the lead singer, shared her awe inspiring journal with me and I felt like I got a peek into the inner sanctum of her brain, full of words, drawings, ideas, scribbles and concepts. A prolific artist of all mediums, this journal has turned into the storyline for their debut conceptual EP coming out on December 6, 2024 titled “Lumiere”. Lumiere is the French word for light and Hannah has a beautiful glow brimming with imaginative and original ideas ready to be freed.
A drawing from a full year before the birth of this band of a man with a lightbulb head growing from a cardboard box became the muse for their title track “My Reverie”.
Layne Robertson, on guitar, has been busy masterfully producing this EP in his studio. His attention to detail does not go unnoticed on “My Reverie” The vocals are crystal clear and his arrangement is top rate. Born into the music business, Layne is the son of a music manager, now out of Los Angeles. His first foray into the music world consisted of him doing the screamo parts for his friends metal band. He professes to have been horrible at it but he has been sucked into the energy of the music scene ever since.
The band is rounded out by Tyler Baxter, that you may know from TB & the Fuzz, on bass, Kyle Gisbert on guitar and Cameron Clifton on the drums. Each member plays an important role in writing the lyrics and creating the music that is Waxheart. Their energy for the future of their band is dynamic, each bringing their unique passions, creativity and personalities to the table. I was wildly impressed by their ideas and blown away by their skill set as a whole.
Shared from their bio, “Waxheart breaks all the conventions of the modern rock genre by evoking sounds from Alternative Emo bands such as Sweet Pill, and Free Throw, while retaining the heavy rhythm section that put bands like Royal Blood on the map. Above the rhythm section sits layered, multi-faceted guitar parts, and rich harmonizing vocals that read like the poetry of a group of optimists untangling the net of angst and disillusionment…"
The band has big plans for the debut of their album, not to be overshadowed by the incredible music, to include a gallery of various pieces of art created by Hannah that coincides lyrically with the songs, a short story written by Tyler, which was over 8,000+ words at the time of this interview. Zachary Hall, of the band Freethrow and Alt Wave Audio has been mixing their second single and shared this with me, “Mixing Waxheart has been a blast as the music is inspiring and reminds me of bands like Circa Survive and the Mars Volta, bands that influenced me heavily growing up. Excited to see where they go from here!”
In September you can catch Waxheart in their first appearance at the always fun Possumstock Festival on opening day of the weekend long fest Friday, 9/6. Keep an eye on this band — they are each so incredibly talented and collectively on a whole new level. I can’t wait to watch and see where their talent, drive and dedication takes them.
Jason Yates
ByBettySammons
“As a musician, I’ve always adhered to the principle of "less is more." To me, tone and melody are far more significant than cramming in a lot of notes. I aim to keep things straightforward, serving the song the best I can and hopefully finding a few moments to be melodic.”
PhotoJonDuncan
Jason Yates: A Lifelong Journey in Music
In the heart of Clarksville, Tennessee, the name Jason Yates resonates deeply within the local music scene. For over 30 years, Yates has been a steadfast figure, pouring his heart and soul into the art that has been his lifelong passion. His journey is a testament to the enduring power of music and the spirit of perseverance.
Formative Years
During his formative years, Jason's musical influences were diverse. At an early age, he fell in love with Michael Jackson's "Thriller," which not only became his first favorite album but also introduced him to Paul McCartney. This connection eventually guided him to explore his mother's collection of Beatles records. As he matured, the punk music scene captured his imagination. And then in the mid 90s, Jason further developed his skills by playing top 40 country music.
Yates’ personal musical story began as a teenager when he and a few high school friends formed a band. Although they were still learning their instruments (Yates on bass guitar), they landed a weekly gig at a local club in Waverly, Tennessee. Those early experiences not only honed their skills but also forged a bond that would set the foundation for Yates’ future in music.
From College to Concerts
After high school, Yates attended Austin Peay State University (APSU). However, the pull of music was too strong to resist. Rather than focusing on his studies, he spent his time playing in bars and clubs around town. The decision paid off in 1999 when his band, Guardrail, caught the attention of a booking agent. Seizing the opportunity, Yates left school to hit the road, chasing his dream of touring the country.
On the Road
Guardrail’s hard work eventually attracted the interest of several major record labels, and they signed with an indie label in Nashville. But Yates’ journey didn’t stop there. In 2001, he joined P Jones (Project Jones), a band that would take him on a six-year adventure across the United States. During this time, P Jones released an independent album in 2004, followed by another in 2006 after signing with a label in southern Alabama. They even secured management in Cleveland, Ohio. Yates recalls this period as a “wild time,” sharing the stage with some of their favorite acts. However, the relentless grind of touring took its toll, and by 2007, the band dissolved.
Balancing Success: Music, Family, and Launching a New Business
Despite the end of P Jones, Yates’ passion for music never waned. He soon married and started a family, but continued to play locally and regionally, remaining an integral part of the Clarksville music scene. In 2019, Yates emerged from a brief retirement to form The Electric Mahan, which eventually led to the creation of dadbop.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Yates and his wife also own a restaurant and music venue called Wicked Good Sandwiches. The venue offers a space where local musicians can perform and music lovers can gather. It’s a testament to Yates’ commitment to nurturing the local music scene and his desire to create a place where both food and music can be enjoyed in equal measure.
These days, his energy is primarily focused on his 90’s tribute band, Saved By the Music, though he also performs with other local groups like Brit Dewey & the Struggle Bus, Soundtrack 404, and Oceans Between Us. Despite trying to convince himself to slow down, Yates finds it hard to resist the allure of new and interesting musical projects.
Jason Yates’ story is one of dedication, resilience, and a deep love for music. His journey continues to inspire both seasoned musicians and those just starting out, proving that with passion and persistence, the music never truly stops.
Reach out to Jason on Facebook at facebook.com/jasonyatesonbass, or stop by Wicked Good Sandwiches and say hello!
‘Ville will have the stage at Artsville for year number 3!!!
We’ll be on Main Street, across from Sanctuary On Main. Last year we were on Strawberry Alley and things have switched up bringing us close to where we began this journey on Main street for Artsville 2022. Our brilliantly talented acts include:
Beebs Got Soul
Jay Ammo
Sarah Faith
Brit Dewey and the Struggle Bus
Still Moves
Cryin Mary
And
Saved By the Music
We are so honored to have these musicians gracing our stage and we are so grateful to be working with Artsville for the third year! Come out and experience the Art, food, community and amazing music !
possumstock
September6&7
The fast approaching POSSUMSTOCK is our own Woodstock, complete with all the local live music you can handle, vendors and the great outdoors! The magic of this event, celebrating ten years this year, was created by Cody Parson at a time when the premier club supporting young artists and giving them a stage, The Coup, had closed its doors for good. See our ad for the list of artists and bring yourself to the greatest musical event of the year. Even if you’ve never been, you can still come and celebrate 10 years of great times that just keep getting better!
RedRiverCanoe Adams,TN
Photos by Cheyanne Parkans
PossumStock Particles: This Is Only A Tribute
There’s a band on a stage in the woods, music in the space between the trees.
I’m laying half out my tent staring at the stars swear I can see the notes swirl in the summer heat swear I can see the trees dance swear I can feel my bones turning back into stone melting into the earth
This is why they call it psychedelic rock strings bent to psych you out and the rocks too snare and cymbal stitching a lifeline to sanity somebody has to mind the beat
notes and words blend meaning weave stories strike universal notes Connect us connect to the movement in our bones the ancient thing that stops us with a drum beat roots my buzzing human form to the spot
Holding It Down
In the middle of the second day of playing music in the woods a thunderstorm isolated/scattered itself across the field where the stage was set up in about the span of an hour.
It’s not like we couldn’t tell, It’s summer in Tennessee and the weather is predictable as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. The shit is gonna go down, it’s just no saying exactly when nor how.
My dad said the best thing about a festival is you can do what you want and people won’t bother you, They’ll just think you’re high and that covers a range of things from bad dancing to star gazing philosophizing
A flock of blue and brown tarps fly in ahead of the twisting tree tops to protect the electronic equipment and the mosh pit, if possible
A flurry of bungee cords and one creatively rigged trifold-wall-turned jewelry display
The band keeps playing, thunder pushing the bass line into the wind raindrops turn the aluminum roof into another cymbal ride
Then, with nothing else to hold the tarps in place, Metal heads, bikers, and dedicated scene kids turn themselves into anchors
The storm kicks up Rain starts collecting puddling spilling down the sides People take shifts draining the roof The wind pulls at the tarps, spins along the riffs
Somebody short and stout in a rainbow tie dye jumpsuit sits on the leg of an A frame of two pallets weighting the tent leg down while holding a rainbow umbrella up rain pelting down while the music wraps us all in a moment
Baby I Know You Gotta Be COLD
Funk tunes are drifting on the dew point air ‘Superstitious’ bursting out of a surprisingly pale boy like he’s the one they wrote the song about Voice big enough to reach across the half-sleeping fest to the remote port-a-lets
This honky is cold like the left over ravers in their candy outfits our mutual friends with Molly and Vanna and other white girls sniffily clad and sweating waiting for the EDM set coming at midnight
