Editor’s Note: Originally published May 2018
What do you get when you cross Not Raelyn Nelson and Not Hannah Fairlight? You get warm feelings of delight and a knee-slappin’ good time.
Mmhmm was formed in the twilight of 2016 when the townspeople kept confusing Nelson and Fairlight for one another. It was then that they decided well hell, might as well team up and take the stage by storm. When you see pictures of Mmhmm next to each other, it sure ain’t easy to tell who’s who if you don’t know them well.
Raelyn Nelson is a Nashville native, and when you’re the granddaughter of living legend Willie Nelson, it’s only natural to pursue a career in the same field as granddad. However, Nelson didn’t seek to be a CMT cookie-cutter artist tugged along on a string by the bigwigs atop the ivory towers of Music Row, no. She forged a path all to her own: part Loretta Lynn part Cheap Trick. She brought a fun, freewheelin’ aspect to her music and stage presence. Nelson rocked steady with her band, The Raelyn Nelson Band, before fate and highways brought Hannah Fairlight to town, and a new act was born.
Fairlight is a Midwest gal with New York City rock and roll chops. Before moving to Music City, she had a heavy-hitting rock band in the Big Apple, and was also a TV Personality. She held a lead role on A&E’s Crazy Hearts: Nashville, and was recently cast as “Veracity” in the latest installment of the Pitch Perfect film series. She’s worked with acclaimed rock producer Michael Wagener, who’s music production resume consisted of bands like Motley Crue, Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne and others.
“Our band can almost read each other’s minds. Why would I mess with that? We try to keep it simple: Write songs we like, record them, make a video, then go out and play them for people,” says Nelson.
Keeping it simple is something we can all get behind.
“My mission is to make good art, and to inspire [young] people to make their ideas heard, creating a greater, stronger, brighter future for us all, despite what ‘the industry’ is doing or not doing,” says Fairlight.
So again, what do you get when you pour some raw rock and roll with some off-kilter country/folk? Well, you get Mmhmm band of course.
The girls have been very active in the Nashville scene since their inception, and have their debut album set for release in mere weeks. Their first single from the record, “Aw Hell,” is officially released TODAY, May 4th.
So do yourself a favor and engulf your senses in the fun and exciting sounds of Mmhmm, and mark your calendars for their album release and upcoming shows. May The Fourth Be With You, and with Mmhmm Band.
You can learn more about these chap rockin’ lasses and their music HERE!
