We Speak Indie Artist
Ten Hawkins Reveals Phenomenal New Single “Pump 3”
Ten Hawkins, the gifted rising artist hailing from Saluda, South Carolina, has dropped his electrifying new single, “Pump 3”. This track is a tantalising glimpse into his forthcoming album, The Manuel Garcia Chronicles, scheduled for release this November.
Ten has been immersed in music his whole life. From jamming to iconic artists like 69 Boyz, Uncle Luke, R. Kelly, Michael Jackson, 2Pac, Biggie and DMX with his mother as a toddler, to crafting his own rap verses in the third grade, Ten’s journey through the world of music has been marked by dedication and an unyielding desire to contribute to the culture he loves.
With a musical evolution that has spanned several projects, including Too Busy Standing Out (2014), Unwanted Melodies (2015) and Heart Collage (2017), Ten Hawkins has consistently pushed the boundaries of his artistry. His 2019 release, Inspired By You, delved deep into themes of betrayal, heartache, love and new beginnings, showcasing the artist’s growth and introspective songwriting.
Now, after a brief hiatus, Ten Hawkins returns with “Pump 3”, a track that embodies his artistic evolution and sets the stage for his upcoming album. Describing the single, Ten reveals, “This song is an escape for me. I’m constantly reflecting on the past and how it could have been different if I made different choices. But also I always feel like I bear the weight of the world on my shoulders because so many people look up to me and depend on me. So, this record represents my escape – putting 20 dollars on in my gas tank and letting it take me as far away as possible from everything that’s going on in life so I can breathe.”
The creation of “Pump 3” was a collaborative effort, with Ten Hawkins partnering with producer Sean J (Sean James) to bring the song to life. The song’s chorus was originally penned in 2019 to a different instrumental, but it wasn’t until earlier this year that the pieces fell into place. Speaking about the process, Ten shares, “Early this year I was playing it for my producer Sean J and got excited about the feel of the record and asked if he remade the beat for it, would I finish it, and I agreed. He made the beat in about 30 mins, and within an hour and a half, we had a rough version of the whole song completed.”
With its infectious beats, introspective lyrics and Ten Hawkins’ signature storytelling, “Pump 3” is a standout addition to his discography. Fans of his work can expect more of this compelling storytelling and musical growth on his upcoming album. “Pump 3” is available to buy/stream now on all platforms.
Keep up to date with the latest from Ten Hawkins:
Plain Mister Smith returns with Bric-À-Brac Attack, a beautifully offbeat collection of indie-folk, pop and atmospheric songwriting. Released via Amelia Records, the album finds the Vancouver and London-based multi-hyphenate turning fragments of memory, relationships and everyday absurdity into something quietly cinematic.
At its centre is “Grindavik”, a shimmering, reflective track inspired by the Icelandic town shaped by recent volcanic activity. Bright acoustic guitars and steady drums carry a constantly shifting chord progression, mirroring the song’s central metaphor of a relationship under pressure and the hope that its fissures can eventually heal. Featuring Jordan Klassen and Kitt, the track captures the emotional tension that runs throughout the album.
Elsewhere, Bric-À-Brac Attack moves effortlessly between playful guitar-driven moments, lush arrangements and more introspective passages. “Miss Sunshine” brings infectious energy, while collaborations with Findlay Brown, Leeroy Stagger, Krystle Dos Santos and Tyson Mostenbocher add colour to an already eclectic record.
Former guitarist of Canadian darkwave band Moev and a cellist with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, Plain Mister Smith brings an unusually broad musical perspective to his songwriting. Yet Bric-a-Brac attack never feels overly calculated. Instead, it has the charm of something discovered rather than constructed.
Warm, strange, melodic and emotionally searching, Bric-À-Brac Attack is a record that rewards getting lost in its details. Plain Mister Smith may remain deliberately mysterious, but the music itself speaks with remarkable clarity.
Photo credit: Sandra Lockwood
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