Hans Mayer (vocals, guitar, mandolin, and Native flute) and Hot Sauce (Larry Dalton on upright bass, Wayne Beezley on mandolin and octave mandolin, and Dan Sebranek on lead and slide guitar) bring their tightly crafted and richly layered playing to a passionate collection of soulful songs including the title track, “Looking for Something,” the blue-collar blues tune, “Traveling Blind," and the deep-hearted “I Think Its Time (to Lay This Burden Down)". Their accomplished acoustic sound (a cross between the Abbott Brothers, Mumford and Sons and Nickel Creek) features a blend of blues, pop, swing, folk-rock and a little bit of bluegrass. The collection also includes fan favorites, “Going Home” (a song of longing that culminates in a great mandolin jam) and “Long Road, Short Time” (about the fleeting nature of life). The last song on the album, “Take a Little Time to Smile,” was recorded live and included Hot Sauce members and a crowd of over 25 friends and fellow musicians.
Before Hans began playing with Hot Sauce he toured and recorded (playing bass guitar) with Native American artist and three-time grammy winner, Bill Miller. Appearances with Miller included the Michael Martin Murphy West Fest, the Philadelphia Folk Fest, Austin City Limits, The Today Show, a tour with Tori Amos and an appearance at the Ryman Theatre in Nashville (original home of the Grand Old Opry). Hans can be heard on Miller's “Raven in the Snow” (1995), "Hear Our Prayer" (2000), "A Sacred Gift" (2002), “Spirit Rain” (2002) and "Spirit Songs: the Best of Bill Miller" (2004) CDs. “You are the Rain,” a tune co-written by Mayer and Miller (and appearing on the “Spirit Rain” CD) was selected by Rick Schroder for the soundtrack of his film, “Black Cloud."
In the late nineties Hans began to tour and record extensively for kids and families - although he has always continued to record and perform for adults. Hans has also written, performed and produced two instrumental albums for the adult audience: “Nana’s Waltz” and “Eastsound” on which he plays guitar, mandolin, bass guitar, and Native American flute. His current band, Hot Sauce, was featured on his award-winning children’s recording, “It’s Our World: the Green Album” (2009).
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