Today, the newest and soon to be biggest name in indie rock Sawyer Hill has released brand new track “Aiming At My Head” in advance of his upcoming Heartbreak Hysteria out on April 18th via Sawyer Hill/(dis)harmony under license to AWAL Recordings, Inc- Presave HERE.
The EP is an intimate journey through Sawyer’s inner self - exploring the highs and lows, heartbreak and anxiety of young life and a unique amalgamation of alternative, rock and timeless post punk.
Earlier today, American Songwriter published their exclusive interview with Sawyer discussing the new song and upcoming EP release, and described the track as, “a blistering, punk rock anthem with indie undertones [featuring] poignant lyrics sung in Hill’s commanding voice.”
Listen to “Aiming At My Head” HERE
Watch the music video (which features Sawyer, a doppelganger crew and a tragic ending) HERE.
“Aiming At My Head” with it’s pounding drums and crunchy rock guitars, showcases Sawyer’s knack for biting, melancholic and introspective lyrics, sung with a mesmerizing and distinct baritone that is Sawyer’s alone.
On the new track, Sawyer said “‘Aiming At My Head” is a fuck you letter to friends you let you down. The people who will act completely indifferent to your face, but then go behind your back and tear you down.”
The new song follows Sawyer’s release of 2024’s “High On My Lows,” “For The Hell Of It,” and “Need Me Now” all of which will be included on his upcoming EP Heartbreak Hysteria. The new music was produced by Chris Greatti (Willow, Yungblud, MGK, Poppy) and Suzy Shinn (Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco, 5 Seconds of Summer) and the EP will feature new to be released songs including “Aiming At My Head.”
American Songwriter discussed the story behind Sawyer's new single, which explored “recent estrangement” from a former best friend and previous musician he worked with. Talking exclusively with American Songwriter, Sawyer said “It was really hard to deal with that.” Adding it is “so much like being in a relationship, but there’s no songs for this sort of friend breakup.”
American Songwriter also discussed Sawyer's incredible journey from Arkansas garage band to the international stage. American Songwriter stated, “spending the last decade making music in a garage and playing gigs at local bars, sometimes performing four hours away for just ten people. Though he’s about to embark on a headline tour, where he’ll play for much larger crowds than that, Hill said he does music not for recognition, but “for the love of the game.””
Reflecting on his upcoming 32-city run, making stops at some of the country's iconic venues including Los Angeles’ Troubadour on March 29th, New York’s Bowery Ballroom on April 26th, and Nashville’s Exit/In on May 2nd, Sawyer said to American Songwriter, “When I was growing up, I went to all these basement shows. There was this huge DIY scene here Fayetteville, Arkansas.” Sawyer added, “It was really cool. I saw all of these great shows. That’s kind of the spirit that I wanna bring to everywhere around the country. That same intimate rock show energy that I feel like is kind of missing from rock as a genre these days.” Fans can purchase tickets at www.sawyerhillmusic.com.
On what to expect from the EP, American Songwriter says Sawyer “toes the line anywhere from hard rock to alt-indie rock” as he tries “to make music that is somewhat emotionally significant for people.”
Sawyer grew up in a very religious Pentecostal Church household, convincing his parents at 14 years old parents signed a notarized affidavit that allowed him to play in bars & clubs - so long as he was playing music and not drinking. Parents placated, he held down a medical tech day job (until he was fired for posting his music on his social media), and performed for a better part of a decade in dive bars and local haunts of greater Northwest Arkansas, until his 2022 released song “Look at the Time” exploded when a live clip was posted online. The grungy rock hymn was written years earlier. A song which friends would beg him to perform at Lunchapalooza - a lunchtime music jam at his high school. The song which moved his sister to tears while she was listening to him sing it in the bedroom next door. A song destined to become a smash hit.
Early in 2024 the song launched him into the stratosphere, when it topped Spotify’s Viral 50 chart in the US, hit 65 million views and 120 million video views. The catalyst kicked off a new music career- 10 years in the making. Going from playing local shows to his first ever U.S. headline tour which sold over 15,000 tickets, as well as sold out dates in Europe and highly praised performances at Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits and Reeperbahm in Germany.
Lookout for more news about Sawyer Hill soon!
Sawyer Hill 2025 North American Tour:
March 21st - Dallas, TX - Dada Dallas
March 22nd - Austin, TX - Antone’s
March 23rd - Houston, TX - The Heights Theater
March 26th - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom
March 28th - San Diego, CA - Quartyard
March 29th - West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour
March 30th - Berkeley, CA - Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music
April 1st - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
April 2nd - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
April 4th - Salt Lake City, UT - Soundwell
April 6th - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
April 8th - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line
April 9th - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
April 15th - Indianapolis, IN - Old National Centre
April 16th - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
April 18th - Ferndale, MI - The Magic Bag
April 19th - Toronto, ON - The Garrison
April 22nd - Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair
April 23rd - Philadelphia, PA - The Foundry At The Fillmore Philadelphia
April 24th - Washington, DC - The Atlantis
April 26th - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
April 27th - Asbury Park, NJ - House of Independents
April 28th - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle
April 30th - Charlotte, NC - Amos’ Southend
May 1st - Atlanta, GA - The Loft
May 2nd - Nashville, TN - Exit/In
May 3rd - Fayetteville, AR - George’s Majestic Lounge
Jun 7-9 - Herzberg, Germany - PFINGSTROCK Open Air
Jun 12 - Hradec Kralove, Czechia - Rock For People 2025
Jun 13 - Nickelsdorf, Austria - Nova Rock 2025
Jun 20 - Landgraad, Netherlands - Pinkpop 2025
Jul 6 - Werchter, Belgium - Rock Werchter 2025
