Adam Hattaway and the Haunters back at Whanganui Musicians Club in April

Adam Hattaway and the Haunters will release their new album this month, with a country and western full-length to follow in September. Photo / Supplied

Otautahi/Christchurch four-piece Adam Hattaway and the Haunters return to the Whanganui Musicians Club next month, with the duelling bass guitars of local outfit The MeanOwls filling the opening slot.

The band's third album, Woolston, Texas, is set for release on March 26.

Hattaway, who will be joined on stage by fellow Haunters Elmore Jones, Liam Quinn and Holdyn Skinner, said they had such a good time in Whanganui in November that they tried to come back as soon as they could.

"I'd never been there before, but everyone was so nice," Hattaway said.

"We loved the venue [Whanganui Musicians Club] and we loved the one bar we went to after the gig.

"Everything was just good."

Woolston, Texas is a mixture of the sounds found on their first two full-length records, All Dat Love and Crying Lessons, Hattaway said.

"It's always hard to try and define your own sound, but I've been using the term alternative rock and roll for this new one.

"You've definitely got to have that 'roll' in there, that groove."

Hattaway wanted Woolston, Texas to be released last September, but Covid-19 and other issues forced it to remain a work in progress for longer than he had hoped.

The drawn-out process also convinced him to take full charge of all his future musical decisions.

"From now on, one of the main life changes I've made is to just do what I want and trust my gut. I seem to be right when it comes to my own music and I should be, you know?

"On the flipside [of Covid-19], I had lots of time off and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to write much music because I'd be putting too much pressure on myself to do it.

"That wasn't the case at all. I wrote a ton, and we've just got so much material now.

"We'll start recording another record in July."

Despite the Woolston, Texas delay, Hattaway said he was still happy to see it released.

"I was bored of it for a while, but I've kind of come back around again and I'm excited.

"By the time our last album was released I didn't think it was very good, and over time I've actually thought less of it. I don't think it's a great album at all, but with this one it's stood the test of time for me.

"That's a bit of a surprise, and it's a really, really good feeling."

As for the latest album's title, Hattaway said it was more of a joke than anything else.

"We live in a suburb of Christchurch called Woolston, and we thought Woolston, Texas sounded funny.

"It's a bit like the movie Paris, Texas. I actually tried to watch it last night. Ry Cooder did the soundtrack, and it's your classic 70s slow burner with heaps of scenery. The plot just disappeared after a while though.

"We've actually got another album in the can that's set for release in October. It's a country and western album, so we thought it was even funnier to call this one Woolston, Texas and then call that one Robots from Outer Space or something.

"I already suggested that actually, but I got talked out of it, for now any way."

Adam Hattaway and the Haunters will play with The MeanOwls at the Whanganui Musicians Club on Saturday, April 10. Doors open at 7.30pm.