Mayer Hawthorne and The County

Mayer Hawthorne and The County

Mayer Hawthorne and The County is the soul project of Andrew Mayer Cohen, who performs under the name Mayer Hawthorne. He grows up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and later becomes associated with the neo-soul and funk revival scene, with a sound rooted in soul and informed by hip hop production. The act is linked to Stones Throw Records.

Background

Hawthorne is a singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. He grows up listening to the soul and jazz history associated with the Detroit area, and he cites Isaac Hayes, Leroy Hutson, Mike Terry and Barry White among his influences. He also draws strongly on Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, and the songwriting and production team of Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Eddie Holland Jr.

He is known for making music that sounds like classic soul while still being recorded as contemporary material. His early work includes the song “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out,” which combines falsetto vocals with breakbeat-style production. He does not have formal vocal training and does not come from choir singing; before forming the County, he has played in other bands and worked on production and instruments for much of his life.

The County and recording style

The County is the band name attached to Hawthorne’s work, and it is noted as previously being called the County Commissioners. His approach is described as a stripped-down version of the Motown production model, with Hawthorne himself handling much of the performance and a small number of additional musicians contributing around him.

He meets Stones Throw Records head Peanut Butter Wolf through Noelle Scaggs of the Rebirth, after which he signs to the label. Hawthorne’s music draws attention for sounding like older soul recordings even though it is newly made, and it attracts interest from figures including BBC Radio 1 host Gilles Peterson and producer and DJ Mark Ronson.

Members and related acts

Hawthorne is also associated with Tuxedo, Now On and Jaded Incorporated. As a solo artist and collaborator, he works across soul-led material while remaining closely identified with the modern retro-soul scene.