Band Name: Hawk Nelson
The Band: Jason Dunn (vocals), Daniel Biro (bass), Jonathan Steingard (guitar) & Justin Benner (drums)
Best Known For: Fun-filled songs like “Bring ’em Out”
Home Town: For some of us, Peterborough, Ontario
*All questions answered by singer Jason Dunn on behalf of the band
AC: Tell us a little about Hawk Nelson. Jason Dunn: We started right out of high school in our small town of Peterborough, Ontario. Music was, and still is, our passion, so we figured we should do it for a living and not have a plan B!
AC: How did you come up with the name, Hawk Nelson? Jason: I made it up when I was about 14 years old for a video game snowboarding character.
AC: Your fourth studio album, Live Life Loud, has a fun, party feel to it. Is this the vibe you were you going for with this record? Jason: We wanted a record that we were all proud of. I think we did just that. We all contributed and gave it 110 percent, and I think it shows!
AC: Your first single starts off with a sort of cheery opening. What was the inspiration behind putting that in? Jason: You know, cheerleaders get people going! We wanted to use that idea to get people excited for the next 12 songs on our album.
AC: How have you dealt with the rejection that comes with breaking into the music biz? Jason: Being in this band is the greatest job in the world. I have the best bandmates and the best team backing us up. Sure, there are frustrations, but unfortunately that’s life. No matter what profession you’re in, times will get tough. It’s how you deal with those situations that will determine the outcome.
AC: How has being a part of Hawk Nelson changed your life? Jason: When we first started playing music together, I was 19 years old. All we wanted to do was play shows for people. Now we’ve accomplished that. In the process, we’ve had opportunities to help people, which at the end of the day, is the greatest accomplishment in the world. That in itself is life-changing!
Meet the Band (left to right): Jonathan Steingard, Jason Dunn, Daniel Biro & Justin Benner
AC: How did you guys meet? Jason: We all played in different bands in high school. When our bandmates left us to pursue other dreams, we stuck with ours, joined together and formed Hawk Nelson.
AC: What will our readers like about your music? Jason: Our album is full of “feel good” music. You can listen to it while you’re driving or cleaning. It doesn’t matter the occasion. It’s a style of music you won’t get tired of.
AC: What do you do in your spare time? Jason: When I’m not on the road, I like to be at home with my family. I take my pug, Murphy, with me everywhere (he’s on our record cover). I’m also obsessed with hockey.
AC: Who are your musical inspirations? Jason: When I was a kid, I looked up to Michael W. Smith. My dream was to one day play in his band. I’ve still got hope.
AC: Whose music are you obsessed with right now? Jason: I listen to random stuff. Lately, I’ve been listening to Billy Talent’s new record.
What is Hawk Nelson smiling about?
AC: Hawk Nelson’s appeared on projects like the Nickelodeon film “Yours, Mine & Ours,” NBC’s “American Dreams,” HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” The CW’s “Smallville” and “Summerland” and MTV’s “Laguna Beach.” What’s been your favorite project to be a part of so far? Jason: “Yours, Mine and Ours” was awesome! It was cool to see how everything in the movie world worked. It was super cool working with all the actors, too, which included Rene Russo, Dennis Quaid and Drake Bell.
AC: Do you remember your first “I have arrived” moment? Jason: I have those moments every day. The fact that I get to wake up and sing for a living is unbelievable. I’m very blessed.
AC: You all are really involved in charity work…Why did you guys team up with The Ronald McDonald House and TOMS shoes charities? Jason: Seeing kids in need is painful. I wanted to get involved in [The Ronald McDonald House] program to put a smile on kids’ faces. The first house we went to was in Minneapolis, and I couldn’t believe how sad it was—not only for the kids, but for the families. My heart really goes out to them.
[With TOMS shoes] again, it was one of those things we were drawn to as a band. TOMS wasn’t about making a buck off Hawk Nelson. They’re just good people, who want to do good things for humanity. We were on the same page and wanted to help make adifference.
AC: What’s one thing that aspiring bands should know about the music industry? Jason: Remember that you’re the band! You should be the ones calling the shots. Record labels are a business. They want to make money. Just try not to let them make more than you.
AC: If you weren’t a singer, what would you be doing career-wise? Jason: I’d probably be painting houses like my dad.
AC: What’s the best advice you ever got? Jason: Don’t settle for second best!
AC: Any parting words? Jason: No one else has the guts to say this, but we want to be the biggest band on the planet. So please help us by spreading the word!
*The first five readers to comment on this story will win a copy of Hawk Nelson’s latest CD, Live Life Loud.
Do these guys know how to chill, or what?
**All photos courtesy of BEC Records.
About Brittany Geragotelis
33 responses so far ↓
American Cheerleader Magazine Takes a Time Out with Hawk Nelson | Overture Media Nov 10, 2009 at 8:13 pm
[...] http://www.americancheerleader.com/2009/11/time-out-with-recording-artists-hawk-nelson/ [...]
Tyler H Nov 10, 2009 at 8:52 pm
That dog is super cool and so is the band
Caleb Nov 11, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Awesome!!
Christina Nov 11, 2009 at 9:31 pm
OMG! Where is the count?
Ginny Nov 11, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I have always loved their music
Jade Crenshaw Nov 11, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Am I the third!?
Christina Thompson Nov 11, 2009 at 9:34 pm
I have been following them for years! I first heard them when I lived in CA :]
They are my favorite!
Amber Nov 11, 2009 at 9:34 pm
This guys are amazing performers and have the biggest hearts!
Samantha Levy Nov 11, 2009 at 9:36 pm
This is a band that you can take with you everywhere. they have music for all different kinds of situations and I love It!
Katelynn Z Nov 11, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I love you guys. If God stays your center then you will deff make it real far!
Keep Rocking!
-Katey <3
Ruth Nov 11, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Favorite band ever!!
Leesha McCarty Nov 11, 2009 at 9:37 pm
i love HN!! they are the best band out there
Elissa Nov 11, 2009 at 9:38 pm
awww i wanted to be one of the first 5! :[[
i LOVE hawk nelson!
Spencer DeLong Nov 11, 2009 at 9:38 pm
“Don’t settle for second best!” I have to totally agree. We are all gifted in different ways so let’s use our gifts to the fullest.
I have followed them since their first album. I have seen Hawk Nelson live 6 times and I support them and enjoy their music. I do hope they become the biggest band in the universe.
alexis Nov 11, 2009 at 9:38 pm
this was awesome, i love hawk nelson. this is my fav album ever
Dan L Nov 11, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I love Hawk Nelson so much and I hope that they do become the biggest band in the world because I already know that they’re the best!!!!
Addison Nov 11, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Hawk Nelson is my favorite band ever! Everyone should go out and get the album because it is awsome!
Jessie S Nov 11, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Ya’ll beast it!
Amanda who Nov 11, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Oh snap..one late. oh well. this was a good article! Learned a little bit more about my favorite band!
Christy Nov 11, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Noo!! I’m not one of the first 5. I think I should be picked as a winner b/c I love pugs too!! I’d LOVE a CD with Murphy on the cover.
WHYDavid Nov 11, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Logged on as soon as I got the tweet… Missed the free CD
BUT, I’ll be seeing you guys live at the House of Blues in Chicago this Sunday!!!! Bringing some BIG-time Hawk Nelson fans from my youth group.
@WHYDavid
WHYDavid Nov 11, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Ah! I was the 3rd commenter who left an email address…maybe I did win the CD??
Samuel Nov 11, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Love the interview! Keep doing what you’re doing, Hawk Nelson!!
Kelsey Nov 11, 2009 at 10:21 pm
great band, great music, and great guys in general! what more could you want!
p.s. “every little thing” from their first album is the best song EVER!
I LOVE THESE BOYS AND WOULD FOLLOW THEM TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH!
Heather Nov 11, 2009 at 11:01 pm
i love hn they are amazing i jam to them full blast at school live life loud is one of my favs and hello
Becky Nov 11, 2009 at 11:57 pm
I love Hawk Nelson.They are fun live.
Ginny Nov 12, 2009 at 12:17 am
Not sure if i entered right the first time. Trying again!
<3 u hawk nelson!
Emily(: Nov 12, 2009 at 2:18 am
Gahh I love you boys!
Listening to hawk nelson daily!
Jesus loves you!
-Emily
kara Nov 13, 2009 at 12:44 am
Yay! Those are 2 of my favorite things
all-star cheerleading and hawk nelson!
Haaha love this magazine and im so glad
you did an interview with thee best(and my
favorite) band in thee world! You are doing
amazing things♥ God Bless and remember:
Jesus loves you
XxCieraxX Nov 26, 2009 at 3:27 pm
OMG i love them!!!!!! I have their CD-Live*Life*Loud
It’s aMaZiNg!!!
Nessa Nov 29, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Hawk Nelson is the best band of ever! I realy love them, their songs are awesome.
I hope that some day they can be im everywhere.
I’m from Brasil and would love have the chance of some day go a a show of HN and maybe met these guys.
They are very caring and are realy worry about the problems of the world.
God Bless them.
kelsey Dec 15, 2009 at 8:45 pm
hawk nelson i miss you guys so so much please come back to peterborough and selwyn
(L)
shelby Jan 19, 2010 at 3:12 pm
hawk nelson is awesome… they have helped me through so much in my life just by listening to them… i go to pretty much every concert when they are in ohio… so rock on guys ur awesome and never stop doing what u r doing
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