Adam Hammer is something new wrapped in something familiar. It’s not hard to hear and feel that Hammer is part of the small few who find music as an extension of part of himself. His blend of folk, alternative, blues and rock with dash of alt-country pairs well with coffee, whiskey and the occasional smile.
Hammer’s music is inspired by his roots in small-town Henning, Minn., (population 735) where he was born and raised and started playing guitar when he was 12. He learned in the true folk tradition picking up chords and songs from his mom, aunts and uncles.
The musical melting pot that makes up Hammer’s influences is why his sound is so unique.
“I was raised on ’60s folk revival, gospel, Hank Williams, ’80s rock and alternative music with a splash of punk rock influence. I was an outcast in my tiny town who dressed different and got in a lot of trouble,” Hammer said.
After performing in punk and heavy metal bands throughout much of the 1990s, Hammer turned his focus back to his roots in acoustic music where he has carved his place through his EP and LP releases throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
After releasing short runs of the “Figments EP” solo and “The EP” with Doug Yorgason in the acoustic group East Arm, Hammer took a few years off from recording. His second solo EP release, the “Tattooed Folk EP,” was released April 2008 and he followed that with the “From the Basement” EP in 2010, which previewed his next two projects that were released in 2011 and 2012.
In March 2012, Hammer released his first solo full-length CD “Broken Like You,” which quickly broke the top 10 on the CMJ charts at 88.1 FM KVSC in St. Cloud. For this release, Hammer put together a backing band that includes some of Minnesota’s best with Jeff Vee on drums (Bobby Vee, Jack Knife and the Sharps), Tommy Vee on bass (Bobby Vee, Brian Setzer, Rosie Flores), Kurt Rodman on lead guitar, George Maurer on piano, Nils Loewen on cello and Cofell on guitar and backing vocals.Hammer released the “Let it Burn” EP with his band the Impact on Jan. 25, 2011 featuring some of his darker, drop-tuned cuts (“Let it Burn,” “The Drive,” a new rendition of “Ballad of Lucy” and others). The Impact included Dave Cofell on guitar and harmonica, Cody “Scribbles” Jergenson on bass and Jon Schulte on drums.
The result is an album filled with thick simple layers, poetic songwriting and a few catchy sing-a-longs. The soundscape spans from somber tones to acoustic rockabilly, a dash of twang, modern folk and blues.
Hammer is returning to his roots for his latest project, “Simple Songs.” While some demos have been floating around in different iterations since 2017, the first official single, “The Love You Take” was released in September 2019. The single was recorded live by 88.1FM KVSC at a sold-out Granite City Radio Theatre show at the Pioneer Place on Fifth in St. Cloud. It was a moment of unexpected musical magic with the Collective Unconscious house band.
Notable work & performances
- Governor’s Fishing Opener (River’s Edge Convention Center, St. Cloud, Minnesota) – Reception happy hour music for the 2017 Governor’s Fishing Opener.
- Summertime By George! (Lake George Park, St. Cloud, Minnesota) – Multiple performances during weekly summer music series playing for audiences of 10,000-15,000.
- Big Turn Music Festival (Red Wing, Minnesota) – Two-day music festival featuring Midwest musicians.
- Local Roots Concert Series (Paramount Theatre, St. Cloud, Minnesota) – Sold out co-headlining performance in St. Cloud’s historic 1,000 seat theatre.
- Granite City Radio Theatre (Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre, St. Cloud, Minnesota) – Featured music during the KVSC 88.1 FM on-air performance with live studio audience. Live recording of “The Love You Take” released as a single.
- Supporting Caroline Smith & The Goodnight Sleeps (Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre, St. Cloud, Minnesota) – Opening performance
- GREAT Theatre’s “Newsies” (Paramount Theatre, St. Cloud, Minnesota) – Pit orchestra musician playing acoustic and electric guitars, and banjo.
- Open Mic Night Host (The Local Blend, St. Joseph, Minnesota) – Host of the long-running Open Mic Nights for 10 years.
What people are saying
“It’s not hard to hear and feel that Adam is part of that small few who find music as an extension of part of himself that he is willing to share with those who listen.”
– 88.1 FM, Fretz program
“Adam Hammer’s sound is an eclectic mix of bluegrass, rock and blues. (His) sound can be likened to Elliott Smith, Leonard Cohen and early-era Black Keys.””
– Conrad Magalis – University Chronicle
“…The opening ‘Starshine’ grabs the listener with a catchy piano and guitar hook. ‘Underwater Love Song’ is cool and almost haunting in its delivery. ‘The Drive’ might just be the best tune here, as it starts with the sound of a needle landing on a record and moves into a cool blues sound…”
– Karl Leslie, St. Cloud Times, Up Next
“Incredible guitar playing almost gets buried by his insightful lyrics. A real tattooed treasure.”
– Avon Area Arts
“Ultimately what sells Adam is his honesty and openness about his life…”
– Nelson Heise, Rift Magazine
“Hammer’s guitar tells stories as ably as his vocals and leaves a wonderful afterglow.”
– Chris Bremseth – University Chronicle
“I have to say I was extremely impressed with the entire ‘Broken Like You’ album by Adam Hammer. It reminded me of many of my favorite bands & artists like The Jayhawks, The Tragically Hip, Tripping Daisy, & Johnny Cash, it was (is) great road tripping music! If you don’t have a copy I suggest you get one!”
– Doug Trana, fan