What are your names?
Benny Jenkins, Grayson Gerni, Rocky Carnell, Jack Gardner
What is the band’s name?
The Bad Hats
What is your genre of music?
Folk Rock
How did you come up with bands name?
We needed a name, and we didn’t want anything that would apply any context to our music. We wanted the band’s style to progress without any limitations.
Give us a little bio about you and the band.
The Bad Hats are an American, contemporary folk band based in Nashville, TN that plans on redefining the folk genre for their generation. Having started the band in Evansville, IN in 2017, Benny Jenkins (lead vocals, guitar) and Grayson Gerni (vocals, guitar) began playing soulful music focused on self-exploration and improvement. Now, the five-piece band, which includes Jack Gardner (drums) and Rocky Carnell (vocals, guitar, mandolin), aims to “make more people less lonely” through each and every release. The band has a quickly growing following as they continue to develop their unique sound, and according to 95.7 The Spin, The Bad Hats “are down to earth, yet their music still cuts through to really be something that makes you stand still.”
What made you go into music?
We wanted to travel and develop friendships with people all over the world. The bonus was how close we have become to each other during this process.
Are you signed?
No. We have been entertaining a few offers, but we have some ideas of our own to explore first.
You released your new EP ‘This Time, It’s Different’ – tell us more about the EP.
This was our first professionally-produce EP. It was exciting to take our recordings to the next level by working with an incredible producer, Andy Wildrick, and a great engineer as well.
Describe each track in two words.
The Deal -> Haunting and honest
Strong Enough -> energetic and regretful
Clockwork -> Booty Shaking
Who did you work with on the EP?
Andy Wildrick and a handful of our musical friends filling in for some strings and brass.
What would you like to say to your fans for helping fund the EP?
A huge thank you. This has been a crazy process altogether, From setting up the crowdfunding, and having our fans fund us through this transition towards taking our craft more seriously.
Do you have any shows coming up?
If so, where will you be heading? We will be doing a virtual tour in collaboration with some of our favourite venues around the country. It will be broadcast and recorded at our studio here out to anyone who needs a pick me up and still believes in live music.
What else can we expect in 2020?
Lots of funny videos, releasing a bunch of covers our fans bought as perks in the crowdfunding, and writing music that we hope our friends will love.
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any upcoming artists?
We will be broadcasting live on multiple occasions with other artists here in Nashville and all over the country to promote community in this time of struggle.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you?
Of Course!
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
We build things and hangout with dogs.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Be you. There are enough people in the world, that everyone can be accepted, regardless of their personality or message. We choose to promote positivity and community, because that’s what we believe in. Whoever you are, whatever you believe, just create art and see who is resonates with. Finding an audience is like dating . You have to be honest and upfront in order to see any positive results.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Yes. Every major platform and every major streaming platforms. We have a couple of music videos YouTube that are quirky, and plenty of press articles on our website if fans would like to get to know us. thebadhatsofficial.com
