DAY 11
Ken Block & Drew Copeland (sister Hazel)
Andrew Copeland and Ken Block are founding members of Sister Hazel, comprised of five gifted, seasoned musicians whose well-spring of natural talent has been called “one of the Top 100 Most Influential Independent Performers of the last 15 years” by Performing Songwriter Magazine. Their song All for You topped the adult alternative charts during the summer of 1997 and the success propelled their album to platinum status.
Living up to their fan-centered reputation, the band was a pioneer in the themed cruise industry by co-founding “The Rock Boat” and annually hosts events like the “Hazelnut Hang” that focuses on creating unique experiences and interacting with the fans. In addition to the events and touring, the band also gives back with “Lyrics For Life.”
Quotables
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“It doesn’t really matter how good you sound in your living room. You’ve got to take it out. You’ve got to see what works in front of people and you’ve got to see what doesn’t work in front of people.” @sisterhazelband #theartofplayingwell
“By the time we put out our second record, we had probably played those songs a thousand+ times each. There’s nothing that beats time in the water; preparation means a lot.” @sisterhazelband #theartofplayingwell
“Our early career as @sisterhazelband we put a plan in place even though we were young and dumb, but everything had a purpose.” Drew Copeland @sisterhazelband #theartofplayingwell
“Our community of fans was built by the people that gravitated towards our band that then started to embrace other people, and it’s the way they treat each other.” @sisterhazelband #theartofplayingwell
“The people that surround this band have a love of music, a love of life, a support of each other. And it’s about experiences as much as anything else. It’s about making memories.” Ken Block @sisterhazelband #theartofplayingwell
“We sometimes see things very differently, but if we can find a way to make this work in a reasonably healthy and sane way for this long, then don’t tell us it can’t be done.” @sisterhazelband #theartofplayingwell
“If it’s not going to matter to me in eight weeks or eight days or eight minutes, it’s worth thinking through if I really want to stay in this argument. Better to defer to the other person.” Drew Copeland @sisterhazelband #theartofplayingwell
“I started to realize that none of those guys got in a band to be told what to do. They’re all creative. They’re all talented. And I realized that they usually had ideas that might be better than mine.” Ken Block @sisterhazelband #theartofplayingwell
“One time early on, I was dead set against a bit Ryan Newell suggested, but I finally gave in. I listened to it about six months later, and I was like, oh my gosh, he was absolutely right, and it is so much better.” Ken Block @sisterhazelband #theartofplayingwell
“Once everybody was allowed to put their fingerprints on a song & take some ownership over it, we had a greater pride in the songs, and everyone was pushing in the same direction. Plus, I think the songs are better.” Ken Block @sisterhazelband #theartofplayingwell
“On our recent ‘Coconut Trees’ there were a few things that Jett Beres suggested that I said ‘You’re crazy, but I’ll try it.’ Now, I can’t hear the song without those things.” Drew Copeland @sisterhazelband #theartofplayingwell
“The best rule I think that ever was put in place for us: unless it’s unavoidable, no more than five days gone at a time on tour.” @sisterhazelband #theartofplayingwell
“Everybody can opt out of a show if there’s a conflict and we’ll decide if we still do the show with a sub or just not book it. But nobody has to worry that their job is at stake.” @sisterhazelband #theartofplayingwell