Wednesday, August 1, 2012

NEW INSTRUMENT RESULTED IN NEW IDEAS FOR SEAN HAYES IN WRITING 'BEFORE WE TURN TO DUST' (SEPT. 11), MARRYING HIP HOP BEATS TO FOLK MUSIC

San Francisco-based singer/songwriter Sean Hayes turned to a new instrument, the piano, in order to find new ideas in writing 'Before We Turn To Dust,' out September 11.  He says, "It was like being a beginner at something you had done before. Writing on the piano I am a complete novice, yet I do have a sense of music."

The instrument also helped Sean approach his vocal melodies differently.  He elaborates, "The way the voice resonates with the piano is much bigger then the guitar.   Like singing in a cave versus singing in a field."

In songs like "Bam Bam," rhythms derived from R&B and hip hop pulse via the rhythm section, right beneath those foundational piano chords and Hayes' amazing, warbling vocals. Ultimately, Eric Khun (Silian Rail) played piano on the album. "Drop Down" achieves a contemplative, head-nodding effect with drums, bass and Wurlitzer, in addition to grand piano.  Other tracks found Hayes' harmonic ideas appearing in the form effects-drenched horns or heavily filtered backing vocals.

Click here for a music video for "Miss Her When I'm Gone."

'Before We Turn To Dust' has already received early airplay on KCRW and WFUV. SF Weekly stated, "Take him anywhere, play him for anyone, and the response is always the same: People want more. They'll write down the name if they don't know it already…"

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