Jen Hasseler – Marathon Woman

This incredible woman has been and continues to be a dear friend for over three years. She is the “Poster Child” for determination. Last year, while going through chemo treatment….let me repeat going through chemo treatment, she continued to sing. This event was shortly after her husband Dave went through chemo. This incredible woman is Jen Hasseler.

She is married to Dave Hasseler (photo above) who is a very interesting and, if I can use “old language” to describe him, a “cool” person. Dave has had the biggest impact on my photography. It was he who pushed me to do better. Dave…”You need a lens that”….. Two weeks later, I bought my 70mm – 200mm, f. 2.8 lens. This is my favorite lens and the one I use for 98% of my photographs. Dave…”You need a better camera….” Two weeks later, I bought my Nikon D780. I love it. I firmly believe that when a person is on a quest that God puts in their path wise people. Dave is one of those people. Back to Jen.

Jen is a musical talent that I have enjoyed listening to and photographing for over three years. I met her Sept. 11, 2020, where the photograph that changed my life was taken. As discussed in “The Story Behind the Photograph,” my only reason for being there was that I had not photographed very many female vocalist. WOW!! What a discovery on my part!! In every group she has sang, I see this incredible musician give her all. There is not a style of music that she has not been able to master. Jen, I could write so much more but this is your story.

1) Who is Jen Hasseler?

Like many, I am a transplant to Austin; I am originally from Minnesota. I’m married to this super awesome, hilarious, supportive, brilliant and devastatingly handsome man named Dave, and we have three grown children. Each day, I try to be the best version of myself. Sometimes I pass; sometimes I fail. I try to pass more often than fail. Either way, I try to allow myself grace and forgiveness before rising the next day to try again.

I am passionate about music; always have been. It’s one thing that just always naturally made sense to me (unlike math or science, ha!). I joined the school choir in fourth grade, and continued all the way through high school, and spent some years in an all-city choir. I enrolled in a Music Fundamentals class in college, and it threw off the way I have naturally learned things on my own, in my own ridiculous uneducated way. Just take a look at my notes when I’m studying new material… 🙂

My husband and I are both cancer survivors; he Lymphoma, and me, breast cancer – twice. Just as he was finishing a brutal chemotherapy for lymphoma, we discovered my recurrence, and I began chemotherapy. That shared trauma has changed who we are. I am passionate about supporting anyone going through cancer diagnosis/treatment however I can, and supporting the Breast Cancer Resource Center. Each year I host the “Rock & Roll Fundraiser” to support BCRC with Judi Hopka. 2024’s show will be our fourth one!

2) Tell me about your projects.

I am lead singer for TexZep, that wildly, crazy-talented Zeppelin tribute band.

I provide “Specialty Vocals and Class” with the Rolling Stones tribute band Tumbling Dice – really, I’m just trying to keep up with the one and only Bill Harris.

I’m working on getting Cold War Camaro, a new 80’s alt band, off the ground. This one is gonna be somethin!

I have an acoustic project, JenDuo, with my good friend Adam Brannon.

I must also add my first band after moving to Austin, who recently played our last show – Code Blue. This band was put together 25 years ago by my very good friend Dr. Bill Howland, who recently retired.

This fall I am joining Ron D’Argenio and crew for the live “Dark Side of the Moon” full album performances.

Dave just completed building a music studio in our home, and we will soon begin a series of recording sessions with various guests – Live from Dave’s House. Stay tuned!

Also, as previously mentioned, Judi and I have the annual Rock & Roll Fundraiser to support the Breast Cancer Resource Center, which is a showcase of the best live music Central Texas has to offer, while raising much-needed funds for BCRC.

3) Give me your interpretation of the Austin Music Scene of the past, present, and your hope for the future.

Oh, how I wish I was in Austin during what many have described as the heyday of live music here! Upon moving here, it took me a little time to integrate into the local music scene. It is definitely not the local music scene I left in Minneapolis. Larger, more warm and accepting, vibrant and diverse – I love everything about it! There is so much to see! My hope for the future is that this scene continues to grow – the venues we have lost in the last few years will be replaced with new ones, and the venues that sit closed will re-open. Such a widely diverse scene deserves widely diverse venues to showcase it!

4) A.I. and music, your thoughts.

Being a huge, huge lover of EDM, I’m not in any way opposed to tech / electronica – *however*: it needs its place. Unless it becomes its own genre such as EDM is, I think that A.I. should only be used in enhancing what musicians are already creating (i.e. autotune, etc). Just one example of how not to use electronics in music: I remember hearing autotune used on vocals on the radio some years ago (think Cher’s “Believe”) and I thought, please God no, let’s not make this a thing! A.I. may have its place in the world, and can potentially be a benefit – but from what I have seen so far, I’m not yet convinced. There is such a thing as too much technology.