The Hanshaw Collective

Jeff Hanshaw, 33, has always been the guy asking other people how they play their music, trying to learn from other musicians.

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He started playing guitar 15 years ago, and began writing his own music within two years.

Hanshaw, who has spent the majority of his life in Lakeland, was self-taught but said he "was always taking notes, trying to figure people out."

A product of the 1990s, he said that time period has influenced his music heavily, with bands like Dinosaur Jr. and Pearl Jam.

He recorded his first CD in 2008 with the help of students from Full Sail sound school. On it, he plays both the guitar and drums while singing.

Currently, he plays bass with his band, which consists of guitarist Rob Kleine and drummer Ryan Pillivant.

His next CD, he said, should be out sometime next year.

Hanshaw talks about lyrics and being a one-man show.

QUESTION:

How would you describe your music?

ANSWER:

To me, I'm more concerned about the lyric content capturing emotion. It's pure, vulnerable, and honest. As far as the musical side of things, I like to jump around from rock to acoustic.

QUESTION:

What do you like about making CDs yourself?

ANSWER:

What's cool about the music scene today is that you don't need anyone. You can pay for the duplication and everything else.

QUESTION:

Why did you pick the songs you did for your CD?

ANSWER:

I've easily written 100 songs. ... The funny thing about older songs is that I may have cannibalized them and put them into new songs. A lot of them were new songs.

Know of a local band worthy of spotlighting? Contact MyCah Pleasant at mycah.pleasant@theledger.com.
- The Lakeland Ledger