Newton teens to perform during 80/35 music festival

Two Newton teenagers will be taking the stage Saturday with major acts at the 80/35 music festival.

Austin Dunn and Nathaniel Hill, both of Newton, will be performing with their band Hanwell at noon Saturday at the Mediacom East Stage. Hanwell’s performance is free.

The band was formed in the fall of 2007 by guitarist Dunn, drummer Hill and singer/songwriter James Petersen.The lineup was later revised to include bassist Ryan Hays and cellist/keyboardist Abigail Smith. Their live line-up also includes violinist Rebecca Marion and has previously included trombonist Emma Fisher, trumpeter John Lewis and vocalist Alex Garland.

The group was selected to perform in the music festival through the 80/35 Wild Card Contest. Hanwell was in the top five vote receiving groups and performed on June 10 at People’s Court in Des Moines where they were selected as the winners of the Wild Card Contest.

Hanwell is influenced by folk, roots music, and pop, as well as authors such as Flannery O’Connor and GK Chesterton — from whose writings the band took their name — Hanwell. The band self-released a 5-track EP, “All My Ups Are Downs,” in January 2008, followed by an 11-track LP titled “Verse And Refrain,” in November 2008. They are currently working on recording new material and playing venues around Iowa.

For more information about the 80/35 Music Festival visit www.80-35.com.