Today we’d like to introduce you to Cat & Jon Hasz
Cat & Jon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Jon Hasz and Cat Curry Hasz formed The Beard & The Bird in 2022. Jon had been playing music for over twenty years, as well as teaching lessons on various instruments, recording and producing artists in his studio, and running a storefront in Ramona that offered retail as well as repairs.
Previously, Cat’s musical experience was limited to a few power chords on electric guitar in a high school punk band, and her stand-up bass experience consisted of a bi-annual holiday show comprised of four to seven slow-tempo songs about reindeer.
“I came home one day and said, ‘Babe, don’t hate me, but I signed us up for an Earth Day Festival,” says Hasz. “She looked slightly terrified and reminded me we couldn’t play ‘Jingle Bells’ in April.”
With a new setlist and, in Cat’s opinion, “way too much faith in her,” the duo started playing gigs out around San Diego, primarily around Ramona, Wynola, and Julian, but also can be found at events such as Adams Avenue Unplugged, Adams Ave Street fair, and Gator by the Bay.
Last month the duo played the Ramona Earth Day Festival for the third time, celebrating two years of playing music together.
Jon and Cat met in what is now Jon’s music store, Ramona Music Center, and were best friends for six years before they realized they could be more.
“Just being married wasn’t challenging enough, so we threw some band dynamics on top of everything,” joked Cat, who works full time as a Project Manager in the tech industry and is a novelist and writes articles for the Home Journal in her free time. “Not much free time these days!”
Initially agreeing on a maximum of two gigs a month and having to bribe Cat with the promise of high-quality snacks, the duo is now coming off a 14+ bi-coastal gig month.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
“Living with a music teacher definitely has its perks,” says Cat on how she quickly came up to speed in playing the bass. “I just have a hard time believing his compliments because he’s my husband and has to say nice things, right?”
With Jon’s musical background and Cat’s writing history, songwriting has been a challenge.
“We’ve been known to get into heated debates over the placement of an adjective or two,” says Jon.
“It’s also just a very different world than what I’ve always done,” says Cat. “The performing and ‘peopling’ and late hours are much different than conference calls about spreadsheets.”
Cat is a self-proclaimed introvert, unlike her incredibly extroverted husband. “But last summer while on tour with the incredibly talented Stacy Antonel, I got a feel for the flexibility of it, and as long as I can sleep twelve hours to recover, I could definitely see the appeal.”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Jon has an ever-growing list of interests but focuses mainly on writing and recording music at his Afterhours Recording studio and filming the new songwriters he meets on his travels for the Traveling Through Live YouTube series. His newest venture has allowed him to film in 7 states and 2 countries so far, and is releasing new songs every 2 weeks! He has big hopes for 2024 to film in new spots, including Minneapolis, Maine, and parts of Arizona.
Cat loves writing novels ranging from thrillers, romantasy, to paranormal romantic comedies (one currently in work) and hopes to one day find a passionate Literary Agent to facilitate the sale of her work in the publishing industry.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
There are many things to love about Southern California, and Jon and Cat are fortunate enough to split their time between here and Western New York.
“The music scene in Buffalo is next level,” explained Hasz. “During the summer there are live bands every night of the week, and the musical community has been so inviting.”
“Not to mention the football team,” says Cat, who finally found a new home after losing the former San Diego team that shall not be named.
Between the oceans and desert of San Diego and the verdant forests of Western New York, The Beard and The Bird’s upcoming single “219”‘s lyrics said it best… “who could ask for more?”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/thebeardandthebird
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeardandthebird
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebeardandthebird
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebeardandthebird
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/13INtcQuy7gvOitfpwHlJP?si=ZSBNr1iVR4Gtrwbk9HTfwg
Image Credits
Dharmic Light Photo
