New Artist Spotlight - The Hacienda Brothers

New Artist Spotlight: The Hacienda Brothers

By Gary Voorhies

The duo of Chris Gaffney and Dave Gonzalez - together known as the Hacienda Brothers - joined forces to explore their shared love of classic Country and early soul. But over time, they have integrated roots-rock, blues and a Southwestern flavor into the style heard on their self-titled Koch Records debut album.

"We can absolutely turn on a dime and play whatever we want," declared Gaffney, "and that's how we made the record."

Gaffney, formerly of Dave Alvin's band, plays accordion, acoustic guitar and carries most of the vocal duties for the Brothers. Gonzalez, previously the primary singer and songwriter for the Paladins, is considered a master technician on the guitar.

A third part of the Haciendas' equation is legendary producer Dan Penn, famed for his songwriting and production work during the glory days of Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala., and American Studios in Memphis. The duo first hooked up with Penn several years ago when Gonzalez met him at a festival in Europe.

The Hacienda Brothers toured America throughout the summer.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

If you could go back in time what year/era would you visit and why?

GONZALEZ: "The early '60s, about the same time I was born (1961). Country was still Country, soul was just beginning and sound was really real. There was no 'hard rock' to screw up any one's eardrums or airwaves yet, and there was a standard for people to be polite and straight up and neighborly. And furthermore, cars were automobiles. Motorcycles, clothes, style, it was all goin' on between the late '50s and late '60s."

What song do you wish you had written?

GAFFNEY: "'We Will Rock You.'"

GONZALEZ: "That's a tough question! It's a tie between 'Funny How Time Slips Away' and 'When I Was Seventeen it Was a Very Good Year.'"

What word or phrase do you find yourself saying over and over again?

GAFFNEY: "Could you pass me the remote?"

GONZALEZ: "Jive!"

What moment or moments in your life would you relive if you could?

GAFFNEY: "March 17, 1967 at the Olympic Auditorium. I would have fought a different fight."

GONZALEZ: "Being with both of my grandmothers again."

Do you have a lucky charm?

GAFFNEY: "The 'A' tattooed on my forearm."

GONZALEZ: "No, but I keep a lot of things all over my house, in my car and in my guitar case and wallet. Memories."

What kind of album, other than Country, would you like to make?

GAFFNEY: "R&B and soul."

GONZALEZ: "That's tough because I hear and think Country so much but soul music is just about as strong in my heart. They are both so similar to me in my mind and in my heart, so I guess the answer is soul."

If you wrote an autobiography, what would the title be?

GAFFNEY: "From Diaper to Diaper, the Way I Saw It."

GONZALEZ: "And Furthermore!"

Who is your dream duet partner and why?

GAFFNEY: "Tammy Wynette. She was a beautiful woman and singer."

GONZALEZ: "Mable John. She is my favorite of all female singers."

What instrument do you wish you could play?

GAFFNEY: "Sax."

GONZALEZ: "Piano, but more than that, to me the human voice is my favorite instrument so I just wish I could really sing."

When they look back on your life in 50 years, what do you hope people say about you?

GAFFNEY: "Hey, Gaffney really pulled it off."

GONZALEZ: "Dude!? Dang!"