Modern retro psychedelic orchestral pop

11 MP3 Songs
POP: 60's Pop, POP: Chamber Pop

Details:
Hopeful Monster began as a recording project at songwriter Jason Ball's Nervous System Studio in rural Nova Scotia. There, he and studio partner Paul Aucoin (vibraphonist of The Hylozoists, The Sadies, Cuff The Duke) spent the first months of 2001 recording two albumsâ"Hopeful Monster" and the Hylozoists' "La Nouvelle Gauche," both released by Halifax's Brobdingnagian Records to international acclaim. In 2002, Hopeful Monster began playing live shows in Halifax and showcased in Montreal and Toronto. Jason and Paul (on drums) were joined by Dale Murray (The Guthries, Cuff The Duke) on electric and pedal steel guitars; Andy Patil (Matt Mays & El Torpedo) on bass; frequent studio collaborator David Christensen (Heavy Blinkers, Jenn Grant, Hawkesley Workman) on organ and flute; and vocalist/vibraphonist Damien Moynihan (now drumming with Garrett Mason).

Between local performances and productions at Nervous System (Guthries, Heavy Blinkers, The American Flag, Jason Haywood and others), Hopeful Monster produced two videos in 2003, for River Reflexive (Independent) and Stars are Photomagnets (Videofact). Heavy Blinker Greg Fry took over on drums. In June, Jason toured Norway and the UK to promote the upcoming European release of the debut album by Norwegian indie label Hype City Recordings, traveling and performing with Sufjan Stevens, Emil Nikolaisen (Sereena Maneesh) and label owner Frode Stromstad. In 2004 Jason moved to Toronto, where he lived with his wife Catherine and their new daughter until 2006, playing keyboards in the Hylozoists and with chanteuse Lily Frost, as well as harmonizing in vocal pop triumvirate The Wilderness with fellow songwriters Andrew Rodriguez (Bodega) and Jason Kent (& Crystal Lake). The Wilderness played only a few shows, opening for international stars Rufus Wainwright and Arctic Monkeys, before disbanding.

After two years in Nova Scotia, Jason and family are back in Toronto. Hopeful Monster's long awaited second album is complete, consisting of tracks recorded with Halifax bandmembers as well as tracks recorded in Toronto with members of The Wilderness and The Hylozoists. Exciting mixes by Andrew Watt (Heavy Blinkers, Pop In Sessions) at Common Ground Studios feature harmonies by Andrew Rodriguez, Jason Kent, Jose Contreras (By Divine Right) and by JBall's lovely wife. Previews will be available soon at www.hopefulmonster.ca and www.myspace.com/hopefulmonstermusic.

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