Haze & The Transients

"Kick the sand up with your heels, think to yourself how good it feels, throw away those walking shoes…” With upbeat folk-pop tunes like Van Morrison’s “Come Running”, Ben Fold’s quirky ode to “Kate”, and originals like “Bookstore Crush” and “Margarita Song (for a Republican)”, Haze & The Transients evoke memories of good times on the beach, salty kisses, and barefoot summer romances. Combining the rich depth of the upright bass with dual acoustic guitars and tight vocal harmonies, their sound is earthy and organic yet fun. But this rootsy Richmond-based band refuses to be pigeon-holed into a single genre or mood. Their music encompasses the driving alt-country of Kathleen Edwards’ “Back to Me”, the laid-back blues of Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason”, the nostalgic swing of “Oh Atlanta” (a standard made famous by Allison Krauss), the heart-wrenching pathos of Patty Griffin’s “Making Pies”, the percussive mayhem of K.T. Tunstall’s “Black Horse and a Cherry Tree”, and a surprisingly sultry rendition of The Police’s “Roxanne”. They play a mix of covers and originals, but they are not overly concerned with covering songs that everybody knows. They focus instead on playing truly great songs, some well-known, many obscure, but with a consistent strong emphasis on melody, harmony, and intelligent lyrics. This is a band that is in it for the pure love of music, and they are equally at home playing intimate venues, outdoor festivals, or on their own back porch.