Go To MySpace.com/JimHanft

In his debut album “Backyard Waltz,” Los Angeles based Folk artist Jim Hanft recorded a harmonica laced tale of love, loss and lawnmowers. In an intentionally modest approach to recording, many of the songs are unedited live takes, capturing the honesty of Jim's lyrics and the intimacy of his performances. Although he grew up in Philadelphia there is an infectious southern sensitivity throughout Jim's music that can be attributed to his now full-time harmonist, Samantha Yonack of Dallas, Texas.

In the Spring of '09 during a routine tour of the north east, Jim signed to Veranda Records by Swedish producer, Lasse Marten (Peter, Bjorn and John, Lykke Li, Shout Out Louds). In August Jim traveled to Stockholm to record his sophomore album and play a week of shows that have set the stage for an international tour upon the release of the album in 2010.

Having graduated from Film school Jim's music and lyrics carry a visual, cinematic like quality. Through writing an original folk score for an independent feature and having numerous songs on a major FOX television show, Jim has become a sought after songwriter throughout Film & TV. In 2010 his original song "Down" made it's MTV debut on the premier of the Real World DC. During a month long residency at Hotel Cafe (Los Angeles), Jim was approached to a write an original song for the feature film "Peach Plum Pear," to be used alongside Devendra Banhart, Little Joy and Joanna Newsom.

Jim's uniquely familiar sound is a bi-product of his influences. The roar of Springsteen's harmonica, the warmth of Emmylou's harmonies and the quirky on stage antics of Ben Folds are all key elements to the sound that is Jim Hanft. L.A. based website, Luxury Wafers writes, "Jim's music and his presence are fun, stimulating and engaging. Although the subject matter strays nowhere near comedy, a sense of humor and lightness invisibly assert themselves in Hanft's songs."

"Jim Hanft blows a mean harmonica and folk-rocks out a bit, as evidenced by the songs on his debut album Backyard Waltz. But he also crafts quiet soundtrack-ready singer-songwriter bedroom folk, subtle and stunning, and this lovely cover is a beaut, fresh and light as a summer’s day. I especially like the mix of vocals here — the pure female voice on the chorus comes out of nowhere like a ray of sunshine through warm cloud cover."
- Joshua Farber, www.CoverLayDown.com

"Jim is genuine and thoughtful, moody and sincere, poetic and raw; yet refined...a wonderful surprise from a young and talented singer/songwriter"
- Veronika Mazepa, Music Creative Affairs, Sony Pictures

"You think folk rock died when Bob Dylan passed his prime? Folk rock is still alive, take Jim Hanft for example, he is the real deal.”
- Ryan Wood, GateHouse Media

"Jim's music and his presence are fun, stimulating and engaging. Although the subject matter strays nowhere near comedy, a sense of humor and lightness invisibly assert themselves in Hanft's songs."
- Landry Malick, LuxuryWafers.com

"Hanft's band is armed with multi-instrumental talent covering base on harps, mandolin and violin, sure to turn the trendy hideout into a more subdued barnyard hootenanny."
- The Deli Magazine LA

"His ability to string together words and thoughts is like poetry on ice.. This is an amazing debut by a promising talent and it is not to be missed. Kids - by the time you are reading this, Jim will already be a huge star and you can say my mom knew him when..."
- Albums For My Unborn Kid, Blog