Band leader Greg Williamson describes the single: “Kaiju is equal parts history, adventure scouting, and doggo worship. I asked my adult daughter Alexandria for an inspiration word for a song, and she said “Kaiju.” That led me down a rabbit-hole of Japanese monster movies and soundtracks, including some of the ones I loved most as a child (which always seemed to feature young people in student or scouting attire, showing up to befriend the Kaiju or Daikaiju figure, maybe doing some hijinks, and, ultimately, saving the day). Throw in some actual US atomic testing history, and a pair of colorful exercise pants with monsters printed down the side, and you get this song. Oh, and DO NOT forget Alexandria’s dog Tiberius “Tibuscus” Arthur Skywalker, because, as we all know, he reigns.”
Greg Williamson is a performing songwriter from Rosedale, Washington, USA. Williamson has played and recorded in Pacific Northwest bands and as a solo artist since 1980. His first full-length album as Hadees Market, Missives at the Turn will be released October 7th.
Williamson describes his work as “songs for the journey,” and “groceries for your ears.” The songs blend sophisticated lyrics, memorable melodies, and post-punk crunch. While Hadees Market’s music covers a range of styles, Missives at the Turn creates a cohesive and familiar experience for listeners who love album-oriented rock. The album features a core group of accomplished musicians who have worked with Williamson on other projects, along with performances by musicians with connections through the studio. The songs on Missives at the Turn are characterized by bespoke production – Williamson working in tandem with Don Farwell, the renowned engineer and proprietor of Seattle’s Earwig Studio – and the organic feel and no-nonsense vibe of seasoned musicians playing real instruments in a big room with a great sound.
At the heart of the Hadees Market story is a grocery store Williamson’s grandparents built and ran in rural Mud Bay, Olympia, Washington in the 1940s and 50s. The store provided gas and groceries for local families and travelers passing through on their way to the Olympic Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean. Ira Dee and Hazel Williamson named their store “Hadees Market,” and when people would ask Ira if he was “Mister Hadees,” he would always answer “yes, I am.” The grocery store helped families get where they were going with what they needed to get there, and Greg Williamson (who inherited the middle name Dee from his grandfather), sees the music of Hadees Market as doing something similar. “The past decade has been a tremendous time of change for me — and for lots of people. Writing and sharing songs is a way I process changes in my own life. And, I’ve also had listeners tell me that certain songs (Another Way, for example) have really helped them as they were going through big changes in their lives. As a songwriter, that’s pretty much the best reaction to your music that there can be.”
Williamson’s work as a drummer has been featured on a handful of full-length releases and EPs (on cassettes, vinyl, and CDs) since the 1980’s, as has his songwriting. As Hadees Market, Williamson released an EP called Cherries on CD in 2003. He released another EP, To the Island, From the Lake, on streaming platforms in 2021. The full-length release Missives at the Turn, features six songs from the 2021 EP updated with additional vocals and instrumentation, and six previously unreleased songs.
All of the Hadees Market releases feature two of Williamson’s dear friends and longtime musical collaborators, Chris Livesay from The Civilians, and Tommy Simpson from Fale. Both musicians also joined Williamson, playing bass and drums respectively, to become the Hadees Market live band that played at Seattle’s storied Central Saloon and West Seattle’s Skylark in 2021. Missives at the Turn also features Tony Peterson on Hesitate, Sharon Chang on piano on Mouth and Collar, Ed Otto from Suitcase on guitar on What You Want, and Suitcase and Earwig’s multi-instrumentalist Don Farwell on several songs and instruments. On drums throughout the album, you will hear the amazing work of studio drummer and percussion designer Jen Gilleran, whose work propels each song and embeds it firmly in your nervous system. “I’m so fortunate and thankful to get to work with these astounding musicians,” says Williamson of the crew who came together to make the album.
“This record shows how I like to work, and it threw us some curveballs,” Williamson shares. “Melodies, chords, words, parts, and harmonies come to me, and I do my best to get those ideas across. Then, I start asking my pals to join me in making a record.”
“I was first introduced to Don Farwel by Livz, and I went to Earwig in 2019 and recorded 24 songs in one day on acoustic guitar as demos. Twelve of these songs ended up on this record. Thanks to Don, who introduced me to Jen, most of the basic tracks were created by Jen and myself, or by us joined by Livz or Tony playing together in the big room or booths and working through the changes. Don, Livz, and Tommy all joined me to add parts later in the control room.”
“This record was affected by the pandemic — in the time it took, the masks we wore, and the opportunities that opened. When the studio was operating under a modified protocol for a time, Don used Earwig as another instrument, and provided a way to bring Sharon and Ed’s masterful contributions into two songs to complete the recordings. I put out the first six songs in 2021, and then went back in with Don and Livz and added vocals and additional instruments to the first six after finishing the second six.”
The approach to making Missives at the Turn may have been unconventional, but the results are undeniable: catchy, energetic, and well-crafted songs that are perfect to listen to on a road trip to the ocean, turned up loud.
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