Following a fall packed with shows and their national film debut, the energetic foursome Hawk Nelson continues full force with the release of their sophomore studio project during Gospel Music Week on April 4th, 2006. Hawk Nelson is thrilled to release, Smile, It’s The End Of The World, which delivers a positive, upbeat and happy mix of songs in response to an often times sad and negative world.

“Music is a big part of all of our lives,” says vocalist/keyboardist Jason Dunn. “Through the new project we wanted to express the realities and truths that we deal with in our lives and give some positive solutions to our peers and the people we make our music for.”

True to its title, Smile, It’s The End Of The World, is jam packed with catchy melodies and lyrics that showcases Hawk Nelson’s growth as a band since their debut two years ago. Co-written by the band and Thousand Foot Krutch’s Trevor McNevan, who spent time touring with Hawk Nelson last year, Smile, It’s The End Of The World is a more diverse, mature collection of material. The band has broadened its sound with additional keyboard input from Dunn and a barbershop quartet from Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington on The Show.

Although the CD takes an upbeat approach, Hawk tackles serious subjects on the disc that is evident on the song, Zero, which addresses the reality of teen suicide. Dunn himself had a personal experience of a 19 year-old friend and co-worker who committed suicide.

“The song talks about how a guy’s feeling after his best friend kills himself,” says Dunn. “It goes on to explain his inner thoughts, and how he starts to blame himself for what happens. It really shakes your life up when someone you’re that close to is all of a sudden not there, not a part of your life anymore.”

One of the disc’s most powerful numbers, The One Thing I Have Left, features blaring guitar chords and strong backing vocals. With the instantly catchy chorus, this song is about the members of Hawk Nelson standing up for their beliefs and maintaining their dignity. The first CHR radio single, Everything You Ever Wanted, speaks to the topic of abandonment and not living up to someone’s standards.

The boys performing at the “Yours, Mine & Ours” premiere party

On the red carpet during the premiere

After the success of their debut project Letters To the President, Hawk Nelson has experienced much activity in the last two years landing a television appearance playing The Who, performing My Generation (availble on the Deluxe Edition of Letters) on the NBC/Global television series American Dreams, a big-screen performance in the remake of the 1968 film Yours, Mine & Ours (starring Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo) singing their song Bring Em’ Out (which appears on the new disc), music placement on TV shows such as “Smallville,” “Summerland” and the NBC’s Summer 2004 Olympic commercials.

To speak to the fan base that Hawk Nelson has developed since their debut, the band landed on the cover of the 2006 Reader’s Choice issue of CCM Magazine being voted as the “New Artist of the Year,” “Artist to Break Into The Mainstream” and “Artist to be on the Cover.” Hawk Nelson also had the top song Take Me, on the Air 1 Radio Network for 2005. The band also moved into the No. 1 slot on Radio & Records’ Christian Rock radio charts this week with their final radio single from the debut project Things We Go Through. It was also recently announced that Hawk Nelson has been named “Best Band” in the Golden Ear Awards, which are voted by the readers of Ignite Your Faith (formerly Campus Life) magazine. The winners will be mentioned in the March/April issue. Jason Dunn was also voted “Best Male Vocalist” in the awards.

Supporting the sophomore release this spring, Hawk Nelson will hit the road with Thousand Foot Krutch. Both bands will be appearing at YC Alberta 2006 in May. Check the YMZ Concert Listings from more details.

Smile, It’s The End Of The World will be available nationwide on April 4th. Head over to your local Canadian Christian retailer to reserve your copy now.

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