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THE HI-JIVERS

ABOUT THE BAND
 
Austin John & Dawna Zahn moved to Nashville from Central New York in September 2014 with one intention: to form a band inspired by their favorite Rhythm & Blues and Rock N’ Roll artists of the 1950s and 1960s.  By the beginning of 2015, they met upright bass player Hank Miles and drummer Aaron Mlasko who had recently moved to Nashville from Seattle, WA.  The group bonded over their love of American roots icons such as Wynonie Harris, Big Mama Thornton, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Richard, and Etta James.  The Hi-Jivers formed in February 2015, and by the summer they were playing frequently in Nashville and Memphis, TN.  That first summer also brought about the band’s first ever release, a four song self-titled, self-released EP, which included original tracks “Hotwire Woman” and “Something’s Gotta Shake”.  After Mlasko moved on to pursue other ventures, The Hi-Jivers shared the stage with a rotating cast of talented drummers, including Tony DeCurtis and Jason Smay.  

 

In 2017, the band began touring and appearing at festivals across the U.S.  They wrote and self-released a second 6 song EP, “Always Talkin’ Down”, which included soon-to-become fan favorite track “Knee High & Risin’”.  During the 2017 Nashville Boogie, Bopflix Films’ Chris Magee took an interest in the band, producing and recording a live video of an acoustic version of original track “Hotwire Woman” in the dressing room at The Nashville Palace.  Upon the video’s release, The Hi-Jivers began to gain traction in the international Roots music scene, introducing their sound to a new audience.  In March 2018, they traveled to Los Angeles to record their first full-length album at the Wild Records studio.  The album “Something’s Gotta Shake” included new recordings of a few previously released tracks as well as new original material.  By 2019, The Hi-Jivers were bringing their live show overseas to festivals like the Rockin’ Race Jamboree, Rockabilly Rave, and Rhythm Riot. 

 

Spring of 2020 brought a wave of change to The Hi-Jivers, as they saw their long-time bandmate Hank Miles move to Austin, TX to pursue a career in custom car building.  Before his departure, the crew recorded two final versions of “Something’s Gotta Shake” and “Knee High & Risin’”, set to be released as their first ever 7" vinyl record this coming summer.  The tracks were recorded and produced by McKinley James at Red Lodge Studios in Nashville, Tennessee and featured Jason Smay on drums.  

 

Austin John and Dawna Zahn are currently writing a full-length sophomore album.  2022 will bring The Hi-Jivers fans a new line-up, new music and exciting new tour dates. 

PAST 

PERFORMANCES

Motoblot  (Chicago, IL) 2020

Rockabillaque (Immokalee, FL) 2020

Rockin' Race Jamboree (Malaga, Spain) 2020

Pabst Brewery & Taproom (Milwaukee, WI) 2020

Martyrs' (Chicago, IL) 2020

Tip Top Deluxe (Grand Rapids, MI) 2020

Big Room Bar (Columbus, OH) 2020

Cosmic Charlie's (Lexington, KY) 2020

Jive Out (Mexico City, Mexico) 2019

Bourbon Street Blues Bar (Nashville, TN) 2019

Rhythm Riot (East Sussex, UK) 2019

Viva East Rockabilly Weekender (Boxborough, MA) 2019

Abilene Bar & Lounge (Rochester, NY) 2019

Village Idiot (Maumee, OH) 2019

BB's Blues & Jazz (St. Louis, MO) 2019 & 2020
Bar None (Springfield, IL) 2019

DB's (Utrecht, Netherlands) 2019

B.B. King's Blues Club (Nashville, TN) 2019

Blues City Cafe on Beale Street (Memphis, TN) 2019

SYMCO Weekender (Symco, WI) 2019

Motoblot (Chicago, IL) 2019

Rockabilly Rave (UK) 2019

Acme Feed & Seed (Nashville, TN) 2019

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender 2019

Auburn Public Theater (Auburn, NY) 2019

Kustom Kulture Festival (Kingston, WA) 2018

New York State Blues Festival 2018

Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender 2018

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender 2018

The Roxy Theatre (opened for The Blasters) March 2018

Music Valley Jamboree 2017 (Nashville, TN)

Road Rocket Rumble 2017 (Indianapolis, IN)

Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender 2017

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender 2017

New York State Blues Festival 2015

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