Jay Hansen

They’re everywhere. It seems as though you just can’t turn the radio dial these days without bumping into a tune by a young, acoustic guitar-toting singer-songwriter. But, like ’em or lump ’em, music by such current phenoms as John Mayer, Jason Mraz and the locally grown Howie Day – just to name a few – can provide some refuge from the ordinarily soulless pop radio offerings. And the list of names is growing, too.

Another soon-to-be-all-over-the-radio performer worth checking out is Jay Hansen, a 20-year-old troubadour from Long Island, N.Y. His smart, well-crafted original songs and tender, yet powerful, voice have made Hansen a favorite of the college campus and coffeehouse circuit since he was a young teenager. His songs have been featured on television shows such as “Dawson’s Creek” and MTV’s “Real World.”

Hansen will play a free, solo acoustic show at 8 tonight at the University College of Bangor’s student center.

For more than a year, Hansen has been touring to promote his debut album, “Turn.”

While the influence of the Dave Matthews Band is noticeable in the album’s overall sound and songwriting, Hansen says that time spent out on the road being exposed to new people, places and influences has affected his songwriting and musical direction.

Hansen recently finished work on a new album with Ross Peterson, a producer who has worked with the likes of Sheryl Crow and John Mayer. The album will be available in March.

George Bragdon can be reached gbragdon@bangordailynews.net. For information about tonight’s gig, call (201) 317-7544. For more about Jay Hansen, visit www.jhmovement.com.