| On June 5, Brendan Hangauer's indie rock band, | | | | Of the twelve songs on the album, each one is a |
| Fourth of July, will release "Fourth of July on the | | | | hit within itself. With every song creating as many |
| Plains," their long-awaited national debut album | | | | hooks and choruses as the one before, there is |
| after playing music around the Kansas City and | | | | not much down time on the record. Thus, the |
| Lawrence area for the past five or so years. | | | | album leaves the listener ready to start it over as |
| "Fourth of July on the Plains" was recorded over a | | | | the final track ends. |
| period of five days from noon until midnight at | | | | "I am absolutely happy with the turnout of the |
| Mixtape Soundlab in Lawrence, and it will be | | | | album. The guys at Mixtape did a great job. Jim |
| released on Range Life Records, an independent | | | | Vollentine, at Jack Rock Studios in Austin, did a |
| label which was started last year by Brendan's | | | | phenomenal job with the mixing and mastering as |
| older brother, Zachary. | | | | well, especially with the vocals. The sound and |
| Over the years, Fourth of July has grown to | | | | energy is perfect," Costello said. |
| become a sextet of talented musicians which | | | | After the record is released, Fourth of July plans |
| includes Brendan's brothers, Patrick and Kelly, | | | | to be keeping it on the "plains" for the summer |
| Steve Swyers, Adrianne Verhoeven, and Brian | | | | by doing a small Midwestern tour to promote it |
| Costello. | | | | and jumpstart themselves as a band outside of |
| It was during the past year, however, when | | | | Lawrence and Kansas City. |
| things really started to come together within the | | | | "The idea is to do a 10-14 day tour in late June |
| band when Swyers and Costello were added to | | | | where we are going to go through the Midwest |
| the lineup. | | | | and parts of the South, you know some real |
| "The best thing about the Fourth of July is the | | | | sweaty southern rock shows," Costello said. |
| chemistry among the members. We are all great | | | | "After we get a small tour under our belt, |
| friends, as well as professional musicians," Costello | | | | hopefully we can grab a booking agent which |
| said. | | | | would allow us to have a big tour sometime in the |
| Originally mainly a folk band, it has evolved over | | | | fall." |
| the years and "Fourth of July on the Plains" | | | | But before they hit the road this summer, Fourth |
| became much more of a rock album. However, | | | | of July will be having their CD release party on |
| the folk influences of Townes Van Zandt and Bob | | | | Saturday, June 2, at the Bottleneck in Lawrence |
| Dylan can still be clearly heard. | | | | with fellow locals the Roseline opening. |