Please introduce yourself, what you do, why you do it, and what you want people to know about you.
What up, I’m Adam Hanson. I’ve recently started a solo project called Northwoods. I’m also a drummer, songwriter and producer from Massachusetts.
I graduated from Berklee College of Music and since spent my professional years based out of Los Angeles. Since working in LA I’ve spent as much time in the studio as the stage. Some of the artists I’ve worked with include David Ryan Harris of the John Mayer band, Anthony Ramos, JP Saxe, Julia Michaels, Lennon Stella, Will Wells, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Sean Mendes, Quinn Sullivan, Amie Miriello, Kevin Garrett, Badsnacks among others.
I’ve built my career off being a musician, however I’m always ready for a challenge no matter what the call might be. I’ve been everything from a drummer, tour manager, stage tech, multipurpose engineer, producer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, singer, production assistant, assistant engineer, and now artist. I’ve been able to tour nationally and internationally along with appearing on acclaimed shows such as Ellen, The Juno Awards, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and many more.
As much as I love playing and working with other people on multiple projects, Northwoods is something that I can’t deny anymore. I’ve always been an artist but never let that side of me really come out. I do what I do because it’s what I love.
And as time goes on I realize how essential it can be to radiate that love in everything I do and everyone I’m around. I do what I do as well because all the artists that I listened to growing up affected me so positively, in good times and bad that I want to give it back to the next generation and anyone who needs to hear it.
What qualities make you different and unique from everyone else in the industry?
Everything I am is everything I’ve absorbed up until this point. My own unique experience is what makes me different. No one else is going to write my songs and tell my story because it’s no one else’s but my own.
I’m also not pushed around by the fear of pleasing anyone and that is the power to be free to be me no matter the consequence. Honestly the mere fact that I started Northwoods is it’s own testament to overcoming fear. Because, fear and thinking I was good enough just killed my ambition to be my own artist.
And because I played with great people, I was “justified” in my opinion. But really that was bullshit. It was like I was almost afraid of being myself. Not anymore, today I feel this freedom in how I get to move through my own feelings and expression.
Describe THAT moment when you realized you wanted to do what you do now. Who did you tell first? What has it been like since that moment?
My stepfather had many bands while I was growing up. He’d practice every Thursday down in the basement and his drummer left his drums downstairs. So, one day at about age 11 or 12 I went downstairs and started banging away.
That changed me. I’d been around music all my life and even attempted to play some other instruments. But when I started to hit those drums in that basement at that age, it was like turning on a light in my whole body and life. I knew in those moments that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Soon after I started to play guitar and felt the same way. My feeling of what I really want to do has not changed since then. Sure there have been some ups and downs but I’m here and I love what I do to no end. I don’t know if I really told anyone per say but I quickly formed a band and forever since then that’s where my heart has been.
Playing and making music with other people. Since those early times. It’s been a long road of perseverance and determination. After High school I went to Berklee College Of Music in Boston. There I studied music business. However, I really just played, got into production and writing on my own and made some amazing friends I still have to this day.
When I got to LA the ups and downs started to intensify. There was a time where I had trouble with alcohol and substance abuse. I felt closer to the homeless on my street corner than any of my peers at the time.
That was scary. But now things are different and I didn’t give up even through those tough times. Now I get to work with some of the best out there and will work to continue to. More than ever I really can’t wait to put out this album.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to face and how did you overcome it?
Aside from some of the addiction stuff that I lightly mentioned. Heartbreak is also a mother fucker… that shit will throw you when it’s real.
But most of all letting go of the fear of failing and not being good enough. It’s a crippling feeling that I know many artists and anyone for that matter can deal with.
If you had to pick the TOP 3 people you’d want to meet that could take your career (or business) to the next level…who would those 3 people be?
Elon Musk – Perspective on learning how to think outside of the box and obtain money seems to be two nice skills
The Manager I haven’t met yet
My late Grandfather – I’d like to learn more about myself and where I come from…
Knowing one’s self seems to be a good tool in any type of career of life growth
List the direct links/URL to your social media profiles so people can follow you:
https://www.instagram.com/thisisnorthwoods/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf84IMR1AaxMQCn6cUuMWhw?view_as=subscriber
https://open.spotify.com/artist/46W59SfOGbbNSC1WZpjnCj?si=IaFXFoPZRbS9Yy33pONsGw
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/northwoods/1512382371
https://thisisnorthwoods.bandcamp.com/releases
Photography credit https://instagram.com/mallorykphoto