"There is a certain embarrassment about being a storyteller in these times when stories are considered not quite as satisfying as statements and statements not quite as satisfying as statistics; but in the long run, a people is known, not by statements or statistics, but by the stories it tells."
- Flannery O'Connor
Hanwell were formed in the fall of 2007 by guitarist Austin Dunn, drummer Nathaniel Hill, and singer/songwriter James Petersen. The lineup was later revised to include bassist Ryan Hays and cellist/keyboardist Abigail Smith. Their live line-up also includes guitarist/keyboardist Conrad Bascom and violinist Erin Teter, and has previously included violinist Rebecca Marion, trombonist Emma Fisher, trumpeter John Lewis, and vocalist Alex Garland.
Influenced by folk, roots music, and pop, as well as authors such as Walker Percy and GK Chesterton - from whose writings the band took their name - Hanwell self-released a 5-track EP, All My Ups Are Downs, in January 2008, followed by an 11-track LP, entitled Verse And Refrain, in November 2008. They are currently working on a new record entitled Love In Ones And Zeroes and playing venues around the midwest.
Hanwell have been blessed to play with The Envy Corps, Augustana, Lymbyc Systym, and Radio Moscow, among many others. Hanwell have also played at the 80/35 Music Festival in Des Moines and the Nebraska Pop Festival in Omaha.
"Berlew" Music Video
Courtesy Of Du Nord Productions
Concert footage filmed February 22, 2008 by Nickolas Miller
at House Of Bricks in Des Moines, Iowa
