Artwork by Kyle Hoover
Class Picture Project is a new music project from singer/songwriter Noah Hall (Easterly, Whiskey Priest) and I. It was recorded, arranged and mixed by me, right here at VegetativeState in Salem, Oregon. I believe this is Noah and my best work together so far, and we hope to do more of these in the future, keeping the format fluid and experimental. The album was recorded and mixed in 6 weeks with 32 wonderful local musicians. With few exceptions, the musicians had never heard the songs they performed on before arriving to perform. In some cases the performers improvised their own parts, others were directed by Stan or Noah. Many songs morphed drastically in the studio, most surprisingly turning many songs into duets. The result is a musical work full of energy, emotion, and many fortunate moments of creatively inspired collaboration.
Fans of Whiskey Priest and Easterly will be familiar with the strong melodies and emotive lyrical content. However, Class Picture marks the first time Noah has shared lead vocal duties. Selina Robertson and Cris Martinez are the highlights of the album. They sing in captivating conversation with Noah.
I love this album. I loved making this album. I loved meeting and working with so many new musicians, and in such a short time-frame. I love the spontaneity it captures, the joy of musical collaboration, and the lessons learned along the way. I think it sounds true to Noah’s demos in the most important ways and simultaneously completely different with each song getting a unique arrangement, instrumentation, and contributors. I hope that everyone will give it a listen through or two, preferably on headphones, because this is an album with range. It has a fragile, beautiful voice at times, and is soaking in musical energy at others. It is my sincerest hope for the listener to experience the dynamic, evolving story of love found and lost, death and spiritual rebirth. It represents the journey of the heartbroken, but hopeful, and poignantly leaves us with the epitome of that raw, pleading sentiment in Don’t Let Me Down.
For more information, including a list of all the musicians that contributed, please see:
facebook.com/classpictureproject
Free sampler of the last 4 songs on the album:
Noisetrade Sampler (free sampler of 4 songs)
To Listen and/or Buy:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/classpictureproject
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fortune-the-songs-of-noah-hall/id649425797
