With roots in Springfield bars, band Ha Ha Tonka returns 20 years later with new album
More than 20 years ago, Brian Roberts, Lucas Long and Brett Anderson were regulars at The Abyss, a now defunct downtown bar. The three were students at what was then Southwest Missouri State University and performed with their band most Wednesday nights.
Fast forward two decades, their band Ha Ha Tonka is celebrating the release of its sixth studio album, "BloodRedMoon," a 12-track album that touches on love and loss, parenthood, divorce, the pandemic and even gun violence. The album is the first Ha Ha Tonka has produced and released on its own.
Loosely established in 2002, Ha Ha Tonka can be described as a bit of alternative country, indie Americana and Ozarks rock.
In conjunction with the new album, Ha Ha Tonka is opening for The Beach Boys at Drury University's O'Reilly Family Event Center at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4. The concert is a part of the university's 150th anniversary celebration, which kicked off at the start of the fall semester. Tickets for the concert are available on the Drury University website, starting at $45.
A do-it-yourself mentality
Roberts said the decision to self-produce and release the album was really out of necessity. Not long after getting started in Springfield bars, Ha Ha Tonka signed with Bloodshot Records in Chicago. In early 2021, the independent alternative country label was sold to international music company Exceleration Music, according to Variety. Under new management, the label is just starting to get back on its feet.
Work on the "album "BloodRedMoon" began in fall 2019, Roberts said, during which Bloodshot Records was managing internal changes that resulted in the sale to Exceleration.
"We were kind of without a home on the label side ... We wound up just thinking, 'We've already made most of his record on our own. Let's just finish it up and we'll put it out on our own,'" Roberts said. "Producing and recording ... we've always had our hands involved in how the album gets mixed and mastered and stuff like that, so this was just kind of taking it to the Nth degree."
Initially, Ha Ha Tonka worked with Element Recording Studios in Kansas City, where they recorded most of the album's "big room sound," like drum and bass tracks. But the band was forced to adapt during the COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020.
Anderson and fellow band member James Cleare "took the reigns" on much of the album, Roberts said, as the two have home recording studios. The band also recorded sessions in Roberts' dad's basement, Long's parent's garage and in a Kansas City hotel room.
From downtown bars to Tonka Tuesdays
"Just Like That" is the opening track on "BloodRedMoon." The four-minute song explores the passage of time, which Roberts said has been a common theme throughout much of Ha Ha Tonka's music over the years.
"We're not the youngest of bands anymore, so we're getting a little bit older, a little bit wiser," Roberts said with a chuckle. "I think that how you measure time kind of changes as you get older, as well. It stops becoming days and months and weeks and more memories, people and friends, kids."
With age, the band has become more selective with its shows, Roberts said, while growing an even greater appreciation for those who support them.
"I think we're also still just really, really grateful to be able to do this. It's amazing," Roberts said. "We just have very, very supportive families and very, very supportive friends and fans all over the country. It's not lost on us how special it is that we still get to do this. I think we're really kind of tickled anytime we can go play a show or festival or what have you and people show up and know the songs."
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Anderson said he's enjoyed developing as both a musician and parent, especially since a deep period of reflection during the height of the pandemic.
"Even though we're not the most famous band of all time, it's still pretty cool and she brags about it at school," Anderson said about his daughter Ella. "They have something in their class that Ella started calling Tonka Tuesdays, where they listen to one of our songs every Tuesday. It's cool to see that part of it, too — your kids watching you go through those changes."
Addressing national tragedy
For Long, the album's standout track is "Scattered On The Ground." Opening with the voice of children talking in the distance, the song addresses gun violence, specifically from the perspective of growing up in southwest Missouri.
"It happened again today, we all knew it would. Never doing anything never does us any good," the first line rings out.
"We grew up in gun culture. You know, I have guns from my grandfather, my father. They're passed down as heirlooms," Long said. "We definitely understand attachment to that, but you just can't ignore the fact that it's (gun violence) a massive, massive problem. Having a kid in school, it's terrifying."
Where can you listen to 'BloodRedMoon'?
"BloodRedMoon" can be streamed on most music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Soundcloud. Digital downloads and vinyl can be purchased on the Ha Ha Tonka website.
The band is also offering a "pay what you can" option for digital downloads. With this option, folks can choose any dollar amount they'd like for the full "BloodRedMoon" album and one bonus track, "Mountain of Debt."
"We definitely do not begrudge anyone who just streams music these days, we do it ourselves," the Ha Ha Tonka website states. "However, this is a great opportunity and way to support the band (without us feeling like we're begging for cash ... ha), so please buy 'BloodRedMoon' directly from us and pay whatever you'd like ... 1 dollar, 10 dollars, 20 dollars, whatever!!!"
The band kicks off its BloodRedMoon tour at Rose Music Hall in Columbia, Missouri on Thursday, Nov. 2. Afterward, the band plays in West Plains, Springfield, Philadelphia, New York, Vienna, Virginia, Columbus, Kansas City, St. Louis and Berwyn, Illinois.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ha Ha Tonka, band with Springfield origins, releases 6th studio album
