sharon hazel township

Sharon Hazel, of Sharon Hazel Township, an indie folk-funk-rock group explains the origins of Crumb Records, the name she gave her record label: “My mother’s nickname growing up in Texas was Sugar Crumb.” And over time, she says, that got shortened to Crumb.

Hazel may have the blood of a Southerner but she was born and raised near San Francisco. “I grew up in the Bay area, in and out of Modesto. Then I went to school in Chicago,” where she stayed for 10 years. She moved to North Park, to a neighborhood she says is on the cusp of University Heights in September ’06.

“It’s in my veins. I’m a California girl,” she says. “Also, the long winters.”

A two time San Diego Acoustic Music Award nominee and past member of Chicago's Second City Songwriters, Hazel has been a singer/songwriter for much of her musical career. But her musician’s path took a solid left turn recently.

“The last two years, I’ve been a student of the jazz guitar. I like the improve free-form stuff,” she says. “Not big band, just a drummer, a bassist, and a guitarist.” She says she wants to become a solid jazzer. “I want to be able to walk into a club in any city and sit down and play.”

On Feb 9, Hazel will test that theory when she performs her jazz debut at the Ella Lounge with Dustin Starks in the East Village in New York. “This jazz thing has bit me," she says, "and I love it.”

In the meanwhile, Hazel is attending jazz classes at Mesa College. She stopped in to check out the jam at the Spaghetteria in Little Italy a while back but she left her guitar (she plays one of those acoustic-electric Yamaha APX series guitars and sometimes a Washburn acoustic) in its case. “I don’t think I’m up to that yet.” Jazz, she says, is freedom, “But you’ve got to know music really well.”

When I ask her how she reconciles two forms of music that don’t normally travel in the same circles, meaning jazz and folk, she says this: “It’s different, but my [folk] guitar playing is a little more jazz influenced.” Otherwise, “it’s me writing songs about my life,” she says. “In jazz, you’ve gotta be fulfilled with playing notes. But if you know jazz, you can play anything.” She describes what she likes about jazz guitar. “There’s no shiny-ness, no glamour to it. You got to step up to the plate and deliver. It’s not for wussies.”

Hazel, 37, released a collection of originals called Socrates and Urgency last year. She supports her music by waiting tables at Snooz in Hillcrest and she bartends in the VIP lounge at Qualcomm at Charger games. She calls her band Township.

“I wanted a name that conveyed a community-type feel. In most bands, you don’t always have the same members.” She explains that she often picks up different side men in different cities on a tour. “But Townships were originally intended to exclude people. In South Africa, they shipped the black folks out to suburbs they called Townships.” Township, in this iteration represents the opposite of community. It is in this intentional misuse of the word that Hazel finds her meaning.
For now, all Hazel can think about is getting over in the Big Apple in February. “New York is the beast,” she says. “It’s the mecca. Ya gotta go there. It’s the big time.”

Sharon Hazel Township performs 1/24 at House of Blues Hazel performs solo 1/29 at the Wine Lover in Hillcrest. - San Diego Reader

Hailing from from the somewhat sunnier-than-the-UK California, the track ‘Balls’ taken from their début record entitled ‘Socrates In Urgency’, is a song that instantly transports you to a sultry and relaxing Californian evening where you can envisage yourself swaying and dancing gently to the music on the soft sand. But don’t be fooled by the seemingly easy to get lost in music, the lyrics tell a story of something different, of someone scorned and upset. The music is clearly inspired by folk and jazz and is gently acoustic throughout which gives such a tranquil and soothing atmosphere. So, perhaps the next time you are longing for a warmer climate where the sun shines and the beach is golden, you should put on this song; sure you won’t actually be there but the warmth that radiates from the song can surely be of some comfort.

The whole ‘Socrates In Urgency’ album was produced, written, recorded and mixed by Sharon Hazel who also played all of the instruments on the album herself and on that alone it can be considered a great accomplishment but as this track shows there is clearly some wonderful musical ability here as well.

For more about Sharon Hazel and her music you can visit the website or the myspace.

- New Reviews - UK

Hailing from from the somewhat sunnier-than-the-UK California, the track ‘Balls’ taken from their début record entitled ‘Socrates In Urgency’, is a song that instantly transports you to a sultry and relaxing Californian evening where you can envisage yourself swaying and dancing gently to the music on the soft sand. But don’t be fooled by the seemingly easy to get lost in music, the lyrics tell a story of something different, of someone scorned and upset. The music is clearly inspired by folk and jazz and is gently acoustic throughout which gives such a tranquil and soothing atmosphere. So, perhaps the next time you are longing for a warmer climate where the sun shines and the beach is golden, you should put on this song; sure you won’t actually be there but the warmth that radiates from the song can surely be of some comfort.

The whole ‘Socrates In Urgency’ album was produced, written, recorded and mixed by Sharon Hazel who also played all of the instruments on the album herself and on that alone it can be considered a great accomplishment but as this track shows there is clearly some wonderful musical ability here as well.

For more about Sharon Hazel and her music you can visit the website or the myspace.

- New Reviews - UK

Born in LA County and raised in NorCal, Sharon Hazel has established some deep roots here in California. After a few years in Chicago, where she attended DePaul University, Sharon made her way down to San Diego, where she’s been since 2006. While attending music school at Mesa College, the laid-back (and might I add, ridiculously warm and funny) musician currently fronts Sharon Hazel Township (SHT, for short), playing gigs all over the country. And, because apparently that doesn’t keep her busy enough, Sharon also owns and runs Crumb Records, which has produced numerous shows around SD (at venues like Kava Lounge and Beauty Bar) and at San Francisco’s El Rio. This month, Crumb Records is also posed to release its first ever record!


1) How would you describe your music style.

Jazz and funk-influenced Folk Rock.

2) Name 3 musicians you’ve been inspired by and why.

There are so many…. Inspired by Dave Matthews Band because of their musicianship. Beatles for songwriting. Black Crowes for soul and grit.

3) Favorite local music venues?

Locally, I like playing Lestat’s and Humphrey’s because they always make you sound great. As a fan, I like catchin jazz at Anthology, and you can’t beat the Belly Up to watch a big named act in an intimate space.

4) What advice do you have for new/up-and-coming musicians?

Develop and keep a very firm hold on a sense of humor. Trust your gut. Part of the journey is falling so don’t be afraid to do so.



5) What 3 items would you put in a time capsule to send to Future Sharon?

Family photos, seeds, recordings of past Sharon speaking to future Sharon


6) What else are you passionate about?

Huge sports fan.

7) Favorite SD spots ?

Love to visit the good folks at Caffe Calabria in North Park. I like to buy music at Lou’s Records up in Encinitas. I’m a regular at Hillcrest Organics as well…got a free turkey!


8) Favorite local bands or artists you think we should check out?

I’m heading on a West Coast tour in January with Jaylen Green. As you know, I’m a big fan of the acid jazz band Pocket as well.

9) What’s next for you?

2011 is about hittin the road and promoting the album while attending music school. Also, playing guitar with some other local bands.

Sharon Hazel Township’s debut album, Socrates in Urgency, will be released nationally on Monday, December 13th! The album release party will be at the legendary Viper Room in LA.

- Resonate.Local

Born in LA County and raised in NorCal, Sharon Hazel has established some deep roots here in California. After a few years in Chicago, where she attended DePaul University, Sharon made her way down to San Diego, where she’s been since 2006. While attending music school at Mesa College, the laid-back (and might I add, ridiculously warm and funny) musician currently fronts Sharon Hazel Township (SHT, for short), playing gigs all over the country. And, because apparently that doesn’t keep her busy enough, Sharon also owns and runs Crumb Records, which has produced numerous shows around SD (at venues like Kava Lounge and Beauty Bar) and at San Francisco’s El Rio. This month, Crumb Records is also posed to release its first ever record!


1) How would you describe your music style.

Jazz and funk-influenced Folk Rock.

2) Name 3 musicians you’ve been inspired by and why.

There are so many…. Inspired by Dave Matthews Band because of their musicianship. Beatles for songwriting. Black Crowes for soul and grit.

3) Favorite local music venues?

Locally, I like playing Lestat’s and Humphrey’s because they always make you sound great. As a fan, I like catchin jazz at Anthology, and you can’t beat the Belly Up to watch a big named act in an intimate space.

4) What advice do you have for new/up-and-coming musicians?

Develop and keep a very firm hold on a sense of humor. Trust your gut. Part of the journey is falling so don’t be afraid to do so.



5) What 3 items would you put in a time capsule to send to Future Sharon?

Family photos, seeds, recordings of past Sharon speaking to future Sharon


6) What else are you passionate about?

Huge sports fan.

7) Favorite SD spots ?

Love to visit the good folks at Caffe Calabria in North Park. I like to buy music at Lou’s Records up in Encinitas. I’m a regular at Hillcrest Organics as well…got a free turkey!


8) Favorite local bands or artists you think we should check out?

I’m heading on a West Coast tour in January with Jaylen Green. As you know, I’m a big fan of the acid jazz band Pocket as well.

9) What’s next for you?

2011 is about hittin the road and promoting the album while attending music school. Also, playing guitar with some other local bands.

Sharon Hazel Township’s debut album, Socrates in Urgency, will be released nationally on Monday, December 13th! The album release party will be at the legendary Viper Room in LA.

- Resonate.Local

Started in June, San Diego’s Crumb Records is an independent label with a grassroots focus and dedication to the local music community. “The main reasoning behind the start of it was to give more of the old-school grassroots type of support to artists,” founder Shosh McCabe told Performer.

Crumb’s first signee is Sharon Hazel Township, a San Diego-by-way-of-Chicago songwriter. “I heard a whiff of [Township] when she first started out,” said McCabe, “then I heard more about her when she moved out to San Diego and saw that she developed really well as an artist and was playing everywhere and was really passionate about things. Also, most of her proceeds she donated to charity and we really liked that. So we’re looking for someone kind of like us, who is starting out new, and we want to grow and develop together.”

Taking it slow this first year and focusing all their efforts on developing Township and establishing themselves, Crumb Records will eventually start looking to expand its roster. Instead of genre, McCabe said what matters to them is the artist’s passion. “They could play at The Whiskey or play in a subway and just be happy they’re playing,” said McCabe of an ideal future signee. “The goal is to really make it about the person and the whole art itself. I understand we’re a record label and we obviously want to sell records, but really, we want to introduce the entire person and what they’re about to people, in addition to their songs and their craft.”

McCabe and Crumb Records also have their sights on putting together a music festival next year. “Something to give back to San Diego in some way, shape or form,” said McCabe. “I love San Diego.”

- Performer Magazine

Sharon Hazel Township

Known for her multifaceted songwriting and honest lyrics about a California kid embracing adulthood in Chicago, Sharon Hazel enjoyed a successful solo career prior to forming Sharon Hazel Township. Born in LA and raised in Northern California, the songwriter was a performing musician at an early age. After attending DePaul University in Chicago, Sharon remained in the windy city and began playing around town as a guitarist while writing songs at home. Sharon started playing locally as a singer-songwriter which soon turned into touring the country. Sharon was nominated for two San Diego HAT (Honoring Acoustic Talent) awards, appeared on the Indie Music Television show, and was featured as an artist and owner of Crumb Records in Performer Magazine. Shortly after moving to San Diego she formed her band Sharon Hazel Township (SHT). The acoustic based band plays mostly original music influenced by folk, rock, jazz, and funk. Known to stray from verse and jam during a set, Sharon Hazel Township has quickly become one of southern California’s premiere bands. 2010 brings a return to the studio to create the debut full length album.

Band Members:
Laura Payne – Bass, vocals
Alyssa Desind – percussion
Sharon Hazel – guitar, vocals
Sasha Johnson – drums, percussion

www.myspace.com/sharonhazel
www.reverbnation.com/sharonhazeltownship

Sharon Hazel Township’s upcoming shows:

5/7 @ Coffeehouse Radio Live in San Diego
5/11 @ O’Connell’s in San Diego
5/28 @ Dolores Park Cafe in San Francisco
7/23 @ El Rio in San Francisco

Quick Mother’s Day facts: #1. Laura Payne, the bassist, is a mother of two boys. #2. Sharon Hazel also owns Crumb Records which she named after her mother.
- Nug Magazine

Sharon Hazel Township

Known for her multifaceted songwriting and honest lyrics about a California kid embracing adulthood in Chicago, Sharon Hazel enjoyed a successful solo career prior to forming Sharon Hazel Township. Born in LA and raised in Northern California, the songwriter was a performing musician at an early age. After attending DePaul University in Chicago, Sharon remained in the windy city and began playing around town as a guitarist while writing songs at home. Sharon started playing locally as a singer-songwriter which soon turned into touring the country. Sharon was nominated for two San Diego HAT (Honoring Acoustic Talent) awards, appeared on the Indie Music Television show, and was featured as an artist and owner of Crumb Records in Performer Magazine. Shortly after moving to San Diego she formed her band Sharon Hazel Township (SHT). The acoustic based band plays mostly original music influenced by folk, rock, jazz, and funk. Known to stray from verse and jam during a set, Sharon Hazel Township has quickly become one of southern California’s premiere bands. 2010 brings a return to the studio to create the debut full length album.

Band Members:
Laura Payne – Bass, vocals
Alyssa Desind – percussion
Sharon Hazel – guitar, vocals
Sasha Johnson – drums, percussion

www.myspace.com/sharonhazel
www.reverbnation.com/sharonhazeltownship

Sharon Hazel Township’s upcoming shows:

5/7 @ Coffeehouse Radio Live in San Diego
5/11 @ O’Connell’s in San Diego
5/28 @ Dolores Park Cafe in San Francisco
7/23 @ El Rio in San Francisco

Quick Mother’s Day facts: #1. Laura Payne, the bassist, is a mother of two boys. #2. Sharon Hazel also owns Crumb Records which she named after her mother.
- Nug Magazine