Happy Landing - Big Sun
HAPPY LANDING is an American folk rock band formed in Oxford, Mississippi in 2020 by Matty Hendley (lead vocals, guitar), Keegan Christensen (vocals, keys), Jacob Christensen (drums), Andrew Gardner (fiddle, vocals), and Wilson Moyer (bass/guitar, vocals). The group pioneers a new wave of folk music, captivating audiences around the country with their energetic live shows and fresh sound, blended from the roots of southern rock, punk and folk. Following support dates with The Head & The Heart, Judah & The Lion & Wilderado, the band’s first nationwide tour took place in Fall 2024 following their debut album release,“ Golden.” 2024-2025 festival appearances include Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Lovin’ Life, & Summerfest.
Big Sun is a vivid encapsulation of the eclectic, magnetic force that defines HAPPY LANDING, the five-piece outfit from Oxford, Mississippi. While it carries their signature youthful, high-energy spirit, the project is also a collective sigh of relief after five years of relentless touring, traveling hundreds of thousands of miles together to build an organic family of fans — who are finally catching up to the band in one cohesive breath. The title track, “Big Sun,” captures this moment with cinematic clarity, placing the listener in the driver’s seat on a journey of highs and lows, hills and valleys. As the miles and miles of road blend with the red-glow of the horizon, the band puts the focus on where they are going rather than where they’ve been.
This album is shaping up to be an important turning point in our band’s history – we’re leaning on Matty’s songwriting more than ever (as it has expanded and matured to new heights), and all the while have embraced the musical strengths/preferences each member brings to our group. You’ll find that the music is more expansive and genre-bending than any of our previous releases.
Musically, this album should capture the lyrical and musical sentiments of “folk” music – not necessarily so much in the direction of modern folk as we know it (i.e. spotify “pumpkin spice latte” playlists/guy around campfire with an acoustic guitar, etc.). While this has certainly been an important aspect to our overall musical brand in the past, I think we’d all like to push forward and work to expand how “folk” is viewed. I think ultimately, the question of this album is: how do we make folk music big? HUGE even. (note: not in terms of popularity, but in the way that the music and artistic vision feels like it’s leaping right out of your car speakers to plop into your lap and stare you right in the face). How do we capture a Folk that feels familiarly intimate while keeping our eyes pointed towards a stadium act mentality?
Following the release of their sophomore album, Big Sun, due March 6 via Too Fine Records, Happy Landing will head out on their U.S. headline tour. Contact us with any requests!