Volcanoes in the Kitchen

Hearing the band name Volcanoes in the Kitchen might make you think of a high school science experiment and in some ways the Charleston group lives up to its moniker; the three young siblings (all late teens and early twenties) stir up many ingredients to create an intense pop concoction which still seems right at home in a familiar, household setting. Brother Drew (guitars, vocals) and his sisters Gabrielle (keys, vocals) and Hannah (harmonica, vocals) play a glistening style of indie pop with folk elements and their first EP, “From the Hill Where We Counted the Stars” drips with ultra-clean production just begging for radio success.

First song “Running Around” starts with Hannah’s folk-inspired harmonica work and she plays a solid part in establishing melody throughout all the songs. Keyboardist Gabrielle is known for bearing a resemblance to Taylor Swift and the when the vocals come in, one can’t help but think of the country/ pop star sensation, also. Great, catchy folk pop with nicely traded male/ female vocals, this one is probably the most likely hit out of this bunch of songs. Keys and guitar lead into “Heart of Gold” and it is a pure pop love song, which seems to be the bands motif; relaxed musical arrangements that buoy the listener on a sea of calm and lyrics meant to empower feelings of love and devotion. “Masquerade” is piano-driven pop with the female vocals taking charge and harmonies galore. The mournful harmonica solo near the end is a nice touch, too. “Pirate Song” takes a soulful detour from the rest of the albums sound, with a funky little keyboard part that matches Drew’s impassioned vocals. Once more those shiny, lush pop harmonies do their thing, with some more solid harmonica work in the middle. The EP ends with “You Can Close Your Eyes (Johnny and June)” and its low-key, blissed out story of a love that compares to that of the famous duo is a nice way to end the 5 song record.

Maybe the band is trying to tell us that the real experiment here is love? They are tight-lipped about the true meaning of the band name, but with such a great display of musicianship and high-level production from a group this young, it shouldn’t be long before many listeners take heed to this eruption of talent. They definitely have all the pieces mixed up to make a great final grade on this project. - South Carolina Music Guide

SOUNDWAVES: VOLCANOES IN THE KITCHEN

There is going to be an eruption by the dish rack, a lava flow down the refrigerator, and a layer of ash across the breakfast table. Volcanoes in the Kitchen, a brother and sister trio from Charleston, S.C., is exploding into the local music scene with their debut EP From the Hill Where We Counted Stars set to be released in just a few weeks. I got a preview at their recent outdoor show at Marion Square as part of Piccolo Spoleto festivities and immediately was immersed in their simple but unique blend.

The talented family, consisting of guitar-player Drew, 22, keyboardist Gabrielle, 20, and harmonica-shredder Hannah, 18, grew up being home-schooled in a very music-centered atmosphere. “Our dad plays guitar, writes songs, and sings, which has inspired us to play music,” says Drew Hadley. “We started learning entry level music theory together in 2002, and then started writing some pretty terrible songs… 147 songs later we started writing songs that we actually liked. We have been playing music together ever since.” They also have a younger sister, 11-year-old Lydia, who plays violin and might eventually make Volcanoes in the Kitchen a four-piece ensemble.

When it comes to the Hadleys, they each have interesting idiosyncrasies that both stem from and influence their musicality. They are all very aware of the environment, which comes to fruition in Drew’s anti-shampoo mission. “I like to think of my relationship with shampoo like Superman and Kryptonite, Sampson and Delilah, or Michael Blooth and the entire Blooth family. Does that make sense?” he says with just a hint of humor.

The girls both enjoy baking, “which goes against our entire band’s hobby of healthy living,” says Gabrielle. “But sometimes a girl’s gotta have a homemade chocolate chip cookie to go with her mountain of kale.” The Taylor Swift look-alike (it’s probably the red lipstick), also enjoys sketching and does all of the artwork for Volcanoes in the Kitchen including the album cover for the new EP.

Meanwhile, sister Hannah contributes to the environmental cause by riding her cherished light blue bicycle (“with a basket”). Hannah also dances barefoot on stage often, which might come from her ballet background. “Dancing helped bring out more stage presence and confidence for me,” she says. “There’s just something about freeing your mind enough to let your body do what it wants that inspires me.” She also kills it on harmonica. “I’ve been heavily inspired by Bob Dylan…. But who hasn’t? I feel like the harmonica helps set us apart from a lot of pop music these days.”

The members of Volcanoes in the Kitchen have all been inspired by the music they grew up on from the 60’s and 70’s like Fleetwood Mac, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon, as well as some artists from the Charleston scene. The trio is friends with songwriter Steven Fiore, has gleaned words of wisdom from Seth Bolt of NEEDTOBREATHE, and has family ties with Christina Cone of Frances Cone and her brother who were flower girl and ring-bearer in their parents’ wedding. “We try to be like sponges and soak up as much information and ideas and ways of creating music as we can,” says Gabrielle. “We are honored by having a lot of skilled musicians that live in the same city as us. We’ve still got a lot to learn.”

The young, passionate siblings have two goals with Volcanoes in the Kitchen: to help people and love people. “Music is the vehicle that we have chosen, or that has been handed to us, to go about fulfilling that dream. Our dream is to be love,” says Drew. Track “Heart Full of Gratitude” describes a perspective of their own journey towards this goal and its most powerful line was actually written by their very supportive and influential father. He writes, “Don’t deny the process of an uphill climb ‘cause the top of the mountain is defined by its sides.” Beautifully worded and resoundingly true.

“Being a successful band isn’t our dream,” says Gabrielle. “Music crosses through all cultures and brings strangers together. It’s the ultimate weapon in the war against unhappiness, the vehicle that transports us out of our minds and into the heart of something deeper than our own hearts. It takes us on strolls through city streets, sidewalk cafés, and oceanfront parks; it sails us across foreign seas to ancient mountains and crumbling castles, or can place you in a small living room filled with the warmth of a fire and the loved ones that huddle around it. This is the core of Volcanoes in the Kitchen. We want to take you places.”

2014/06/05
By Kalyn Oyer - Scene SC

On Saturday, another collaboration of local musicians took the reigns to finish out not just the evening, but also the whole weekend of excitement. Siblings Drew, Hannah, and Gabrielle Hadley opened the night with their upbeat bluegrass/folk rock sound comprised under the whimsical name, Volcanoes In The Kitchen. Hannah whistling on harmonica, Gabrielle hovering over the keys, Drew yielding his guitar with ease, and all three effortlessly singing in unison, created a wholesome authenticity in their presence. The trio performed pieces such as “You Can Close Your Eyes,” and “Running Around” from their EP “From the Hill Where We Counted Stars,” released earlier this summer. It was obvious their inspirational music has resonated with Charleston, as they received resounding cheers and a standing ovation. - Charleston Music Hall

Three-piece folk-pop family band Volcanoes in the Kitchen was a homegrown secret up until this year, emerging on the Marion Square Farmers Market stage before opening for The Tarlatans at the Charleston Music Hall. Gabrielle, Hannah, and Drew Hadley blend perfect harmonies into love-sweet, singer/songwriter ballads with a touch of twang. My favorite track? From the Hill Where We Counted Stars shines brightest with "You Can Close Your Eyes (Johnny & June)."
-Kalyn Oyer - Charleston City Paper