ALL ACCESS: Jason Dunn talks New Single and time with Hawk Nelson

J. Willoughby
Mar 18, 2017
4 min read

Ontario, Canada Native Jason Dunn is no stranger to the Music Industry. His start came in 2000 with a band now called Hawk Nelson. Breaking in to the CCM market in 2004 with the debut album, "Letters to the President," to his departure in 2012, Jason found the true meaning of his calling.

Jason looks to capitalize his solo career with his recent single "Rock Bottom" which released March 10th, following "Last Goodbye," in late 2016.

Hey Jason! Thanks for taking the time to talk with Breaking Stereotypes. We're delighted to be promoting your newest single. You're a solo artist now but how did you get your start all together?

My parents put me in piano lessons when I was four years old. As I got older, I discovered playing piano wasn't "cool," so I asked my Dad to teach me how to play the guitar. I stared writing songs from the time I was 10 years old and I'm still writing songs today.

In 2000, you and three others founded a band that is now known as Hawk Nelson. It wasn't always called Hawk Nelson though. What was the deal there?

In High School my three friends Matt, Dave and Chad started a band called SWISH. As high school was ending, Chad decided to quit the band and pursue other things. The rest of us were serious about the whole "band life" idea, so we continued with our music. A singer from another band we had played with a couple of times was learning how to play bass and he joined our band. We all agreed to change our name because Chad was no longer a part of what we were doing. We called ourselves Hawk Nelson. You know the rest of the story.

After signing with Tooth and Nail Records, you along with the rest of Hawk Nelson released your debut album, Letters to the President. It was later re-released to the public with additional tracks and exclusive videos. How much momentum did Hawk Nelson gain from the re-release? Did the band and album gain more notoriety?

We were a hard working group of guys. We toured constantly and we had a great team built around us. That's what made Hawk Nelson successful. It's true, there is no magic formula to making a band succeed. However, if you work hard and believe in what you're working toward, it's hard to be stopped.

As some people know, you left Hawk Nelson in 2012 and you are now a solo-artist. Was your solo career the main motivation for this decision?

No and I'm glad you asked that question. Leaving to start a solo career was an out for me. The vision had shifted for Hawk Nelson. It became about radio play and record sales. Originally the plan was just to play music that we loved to make and if people enjoyed our music, then that's all that mattered. Sadly, somewhere down the road that had changed

After you left Hawk Nelson, I noticed that the style of the music made a drastic change from an upbeat pop/rock to the alternative pop that we now hear on Way-FM and other known radio stations. Was it a change that was coming?

Yes. As I mentioned previously, today AC radio is the goal for every band in Christian music. Our management team were "encouraging" us to start writing adult contemporary songs so that radio would play us. "Crazy Love" was as close as I got before I had to take a step back and figure some life stuff out.

On March 10th, you released your newest single "Rock Bottom." As a songwriter, what does Rock Bottom mean for you? Was there a meaning or motivation behind this song?

In the last few years, I've re-trained myself to write from my heart. I had a real struggle with my faith the last few years and I fell pretty far from grace. After a lot of stupid mistakes, I realized my life was empty without God. I found forgiveness and redemption (again) last year and my life has definitely been changed. That's what this song is all about.

What do you hope "Rock Bottom" will do for your audience?

I hope people will be able to relate to this song. There has already been a great response from people saying that they are going through the same things that I was dealing with. It's so cool to be able to have some sort of influence in people's lives.

Do you have any plans to tour in 2017? Maybe through Canada or here in the United States?

My wife and I are expecting our first child in May so we're preparing for our new arrival. That's my first and main priority right now. I am writing and recording a new album now as well, which is very exciting. I run a studio in my hometown and it's very refreshing to get in there and put all my ideas down with no restrictions.

Finally Jason, what would you say to yours fans and up-and-coming musicians alike who strive to song write, play and have a calling on their life from the Lord to play?

Don't write for your local radio station. Don't write for your audience. Write for you and write from your heart. You want your audience to see your heart and they will when they hear your music. That's what matters. That way your music will always be authentic and genuine and won't come across as cheesy!

Follow Jason Dunn on Social Media

FB.com/jasondunnmusic

youtube.com/thejasondunnmusic