If you ask me, I would say that Ax and the Hatchetmen have had a very solid year this year. They released singles like “Stay // Honestly,” “Hotel Room,” and the highly coveted “Blurry Lights,” which featured Albert Hammond Jr. All of these built the hype for their recently released EP Constant Change, a five-track project that sorted through the various experiences that the indie-rock band has faced over the years. In the past month alone, the band has gained over 10K followers on Instagram and TikTok, as their infectious music and high-energy live shows have proven to fans that Ax and the Hatchetmen is a band you need to know. There’s also the summer tour that they just wrapped with Fitz and the Tantrums, as well as their ‘So Much To Tell You’ headline tour, which kicked off on October 1.
The ‘So Much To Tell You’ tour isn’t just a catchy name for these shows, it’s the name of the band’s upcoming album. Set for release on October 24, So Much To Tell You is just around the corner. It will feature tracks from Constant Change, such as “Blurry Lights” and “Hotel Room,” along with older singles like “Flagstaff” and “Sunscreen.” The project will also include tracks that further expand Ax and the Hatchetmen’s dynamic sound, dabbling in the garage rock and psychedelic pop sound that is associated with the band. Jake Sinclair, who worked with the band on “Blurry Lights” and “7×9,” is attached to the project as a producer, using his skills and familiarity with the band to help bring their vision to life.
To celebrate the album news, Ax and the Hatchetmen have released “Oasis” from the project. On “Oasis,” the band lean into their affectionate side. We hear rhythmic strumming, light horns, and bright melodies as lead vocalist Axel Ellis sings about a girl he wants to learn more about. With cheerful vocals, he admits, “Out in the desert / Oh girl, you’re my oasis / I wanna know what makes you happy / I wanna know what makes you roll your eyes.” She is just the girl he is looking for, and he is not afraid to let her know.
About “Oasis,” Axel shares,
“‘Oasis’ is about the person you’d give it all up for in a heartbeat. No matter what or how much you’ve got going on, you’re picking up the phone if they call. When you’re with them, all of your problems and stresses fall to the wayside. Maybe it’s not even a person, maybe it’s a passion or a place that makes you feel alive.
“The band Oasis notably referenced lots of Beatles songs in their work, so with this one, we had fun referencing both bands in the lyrics. The song, to me, is somewhat of a play on songwriting and love songs in general—the bridge starts with, ‘It’s all been done before,’ which speaks on the irony of trying to write a love song that feels new in a non-derivative way. If you haven’t found something that feels like your ‘oasis’ yet, I hope it comes your way soon.”
“Oasis” is out now via Arista Records. You can listen here.
Pre-save So Much To Tell You, out October 24, here.
Catch Ax and the Hatchetmen on their ‘So Much To Tell You’ headline tour here.
Keep up with Ax and the Hatchetmen: Instagram // Facebook // X // TikTok // YouTube // Website
