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The Choir
Track List
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| It's been said that in the music business, indie is the new major. Artists are experimenting with new models of funding, recording, touring and sharing their music in ways that confound many large labels, and give artists the freedom to forge new... |
 It's been said that in the music business, indie is the new major. Artists are experimenting with new models of funding, recording, touring and sharing their music in ways that confound many large labels, and give artists the freedom to forge new paths to connect their music to fans. It's within this landscape that iconic alternative rock band The Choir, alums of the major label system, returns with their latest full-length album, The Loudest Sound Ever Heard, their 14th, on their own Galaxy 21 label.
Produced by the band's Steve Hindalong and Derri Daugherty, The Loudest Sound Ever Heard is classically "The Choir" in its sonic textures. Long time bass player Tim Chandler delivers his trademark melodic yet off-kilter playing, while Dan Michaels adds sax and Lyricon flourishes that are complemented by Marc Byrd's shimmering guitar counterpoint. The album's closing track, "After All", features a stunning duet between Daugherty and Sixpence None The Richer's Leigh Nash, in what will no doubt become a signature song for the band. The album also features some of Hindalong's most uplifting and direct lyrics in his nearly 30 years of writing with Daugherty.
Says Hindalong of this set of songs, "our time on this planet is very short, and that reminds us of the importance of life - to celebrate every breath we breathe. So there's a song called 'Learning To Fly' that makes a reference to the Krakatoa volcanic explosion - and in the context of that, we're here to learn to love, and we need to live everyday in the immediate. I really was trying to be more universal with the lyrics on this album - I wanted the songs to be such that everyone could own them. The last album, the songs were very specific - 'Old Man Byrd', 'Mr. Chandler', 'A Friend So Kind' (for Tom Howard), 'I'm Sorry I Laughed' (a song about Dan falling off the stage & breaking his sax). Those are very specific, personal songs, so on this album I made a deliberate attempt to go broader."
Musically, the band experimented in ways that they hadn’t in two decades. Says Chandler, “the four of us got in a room and just started playing together, and two songs came out of that (“Laughter Of Heaven” and “Takin’ The Universe In”). That's something we hadn't done since Chase The Kangaroo – just get in a room, start playing and see what happens.” Adds Daugherty, “at this point in our life as a band, we know each other so well and what we each do well. So every time we get an itch to make a record it's fun and new, and it's almost like we've got the excitement of being younger and wanting to make great music as well as experience to know how to do it.”
Part of the breadth of the lyrics on this album are couched in the language of recovery and the need to cede a sense of control, to be reliant on God and others, to live in the present, and to step into God's light and risk being known. "Cross That River", a song that wouldn't be out of place on the band's classic 1990 release, Circle Slide, is an anthemic ode to risk-taking and not remaining hidden or alone. The song's subject is encouraged to ford a rushing river a step at a time, despite rising tides, and culminates in a bridge whose lyrics read, "But you’re not gonna make it if you don’t take a chance / And there’s somebody on the shore holding out a branch."
In "The Laughter Of Heaven" (as sonically signature a song as there is for the band on this album), Hindalong urges listeners to embrace God's mystery, to unlearn and un-know what may have become a calcified way of living and being. "It takes courage to unlearn and un-know and embrace mystery. As a poet or songwriter, I think the best we can do is inspire people to think. We don't pretend to have it all figured out.
Elsewhere, "A World Away" and "The Forest" reveal a compelling transparency abut personal short-comings and the gratitude toward those who have never given up on each other. "O How", with it's echo-washed guitars and Daugherty's yearning vocal, recounts to joy and pain of parenthood, reminding listeners, all children of someone, that we are not alone as we walk through life. "Takin' The Universe In" is an anomaly in the band's catalog: a truly and completely happy love song. It features Chandler and Michaels' percussive bass and baritone sax interplay, as well as one of Hindalong's most unabashed romantic lyrics. "I'm glad it's so positive. In the past there was a lot of tension in the love songs; I called them twisted love songs. Nancy and I are coming up on 30 years of marriage, and the last 2 are some of the best years we've had. Marriage is a parallel experience, where, if I’m going to watch a movie, why would I want to do it alone? If I go camping, I want to sit by the fire with her - that's all you need. And that's where we're at right now and it’s gratifying to write a song like that."
As for the title, The Loudest Sound Ever Heard, Hindalong explains that he was reading about the infamous volcanic explosion on the Indonesian island of Krakatoa in the late 19th century that is referenced in the album's second track, "Learning To Fly". A quick Wikipedia search revealed that to this day the event is referred to as "the loudest sound ever heard." "I mentioned that to the guys and they said, 'that would be a good name for a record'. I thought, 'that's a little bombastic - maybe too literal.
“It's not the theme of the record, it's just a good phrase. Later on I wrote the lyric for ‘Melodious’, which I was writing to Tim, and I made the lyrical reference, 'a true friend's heart is the loudest sound ever heard.' So I have that as the figurative reference as well as the literal reference that I started with in ‘Learning To Fly’. But I think people are going to see the title, and think that we made this really over the top rock record! We just thought it was a compelling idea."
This subtle and often introspective band has built a loyal following in the course of its career, a following that has seen them through countless national and international tours, recording hiatuses, a Grammy nomination, a Dove award, and in the past two years, a rejuvenated recording and touring schedule that rivals the band's late '80s - mid '90s pace. Says Daugherty, “you get your second wind after a while - there's the appearance of success, and what an artist would consider real success, which is making great music and writing songs in the hope that people will want to listen for a lot of years. And we've never had big commercial success, but we feel like we've really had that kind of artistic success that is long term.”
Michaels, of whom Hindalong says, “we wouldn’t even be a band anymore if it weren’t for Dan,” enjoys a successful career as a music executive, and lends those talents, as well as his playing, to keeping The Choir visible, active and in touch with fans. “While I'm completely dedicated to my career working at a record label, I can't resist the pull to champion The Choir as my labor of love. Not only does it provide a creative outlet for me, it keeps me connected to these guys who played such a significant role in shaping my adult life. The band cleared a path for me that allowed many rewarding experiences and relationships for which I'm very grateful.”
The band's base is indeed, dedicated, and keenly aware of how self-referential Hindalong's lyrics can be, re-working lyrics from older songs into newer ones, and paying tribute to the band's members, as he does for Chandler on the song "Melodious". The Loudest Sound Ever Heard comes as Daugherty, Hindalong and Chandler are on the road playing their seminal 1987 release, Chase The Kangaroo, in its entirety to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that influential album.
With nearly 30 years together as a band, The Choir has found a resurgent fan base populated with long time fans, many of whom have literally grown up listening to the band's catalog. It's this connection that has also led the band to host their 2nd VIP get-together this summer at Nashville's Dark Horse Studios. Fans that have opted in to this event will get a chance to experience a special in-studio recording session by the band, as well as a private concert and cook out with the band and their families.
As for how the band feels at this point in their career? "I think we're better at what we do than we used to be, and I play better than I used to play. You make the record that you want to hear and we've always done that - not to meet peoples' expectations. Just to make music we're proud of." And indie or major, The Choir has a track record that any band can be envious of.
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6/6/2012 - The Choir To Play The Final Cornerstone Festival July 7th in Chicago;
The Choir is set to play the final day of the Cornerstone Festival on July 7, 2012 at Bushnell Campground outside of Chicago, Illinois. The Cornerstone Festival began in 1984, and The Choir had the honor to play at that very first festival to a crowd of 5,000.
“Cornerstone Festival is honored to be sharing our final event with a wonderful band like The Choir,” shares Cornerstone Festival Director, Scott Stahnke. “From our first event in 1984 to our last event in 2012, it has been a joy to have them bring their remarkable music to the Cornerstone stage year after year.”
Derri Daugherty, Steve Hindalong, Dan Michaels and Tim Chandler, otherwise known as The Choir, look back over their three decades together as a band and remember how much the Cornerstone Festival has impacted them. Michaels says, “The Choir was the first band to play on the first day of the very first Cornerstone. It is so meaningful to us that we were invited to play the last one.”
The Cornerstone Festival was established by Jesus People USA’s Cornerstone magazine and Resurrection Band to provide aid to one of Chicago’s largest homeless shelters. Although The Choir is sad to see the end of such a fun and inspiring festival, they look forward to giving the fans a great show to remember. For more information about the festival, please visit CornerstoneFestival.com.
In addition to the Cornerstone date in July, The Choir is celebrating their new album, The Loudest Sound Ever Heard, and the 25th anniversary of their project Chase the Kangaroo with a performance June 14th at The Basement in Nashville. The band will perform the entire album of Chase the Kangaroo as well as new songs. For further information on Nashville’s The Basement show, visit www.thebasementnashville.com.
The Choir will also be taking their show to 20 cities around the U.S. this fall, hitting Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington and Colorado. Stay tuned on the band’s website to see when they are coming to a city near you, TheChoir.net.
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5/3/2012 - The Choir Announces New Album Releasing May 15
After three decades together, iconic alternative rock band The Choir is set to release their 14th studio album. The Loudest Sound Ever Heard, will release May 15th, 2012 on their own Galaxy21 label.
As one of the few bands left standing from the 1980’s SoCal music movement wave that swept nationwide more than 30 years ago, The Choir continues to make their renowned atmospheric music married to lyrics stirred by life’s inspirational lessons in the context of real relationships - love, despair, light, dark, hope, and recovery. Comprised of original members Derri Daugherty (lead vocal/guitar), Steve Hindalong (drums), Dan Michaels (saxophone/lyricon), and Tim Chandler (bass), The Choir thrived in the creation of The Loudest Sound Ever Heard.
With their past releases described as, according to the Los Angeles Times, “magical songs that combine strains of murky psychedelia with pure pop,” and Billboard touting The Choir for their “dark poetic leanings, effects-laden guitars and strong melodic hooks,” this newest album certainly remains true to The Choir's core classic sound. Yet in the creation of The Loudest Sound Ever Heard, the song crafting and production is enhanced more than ever through their years of experience and collaboration.
Says Daugherty, “At this point in our life as a band, we know each other really well and sincerely appreciate what we each bring to the creative process. So every time we get an itch to make another record it's fun and new. It's like we've got the excitement we had when we were younger, wanting to make great music, as well as the confidence that comes with experience.”
The project’s title of The Loudest Sound Ever Heard is taken from the infamous volcanic explosion on the Indonesian island of Krakatoa in the late 19th century. "A quick Wikipedia search revealed that to this day the event is considered to be "the loudest sound ever heard," Drummer/lyricist Hindalong explains. “I referred to that tragic occurrence in the first verse of the song ‘I'm Learning to Fly,’ which is thematically central to the album. It’s about living each day like it truly matters. ‘Living to love in a dying world.’ Such catastrophic events remind us of our vulnerability, and how we ought to celebrate every breath."
Hindalong continues, "There is also a figurative reference to the title – ‘A true friend's heart is the loudest sound ever heard' - in the song ‘Melodious,’ which is a tribute to our long time friend and bandmate, Tim Chandler. Incidentally, Tim introduced Derri and I back in 1979 and we’ve been making music together ever since!”
The final song on the album, ‘After All,’ features a stunning duet with Leigh Nash of Sixpence None the Richer. “We’ve known Leigh since way back,” says Daugherty, “She’s a friend and one of my favorite singers ever. We’re thrilled that she was able to sing on this project. Matt Slocum [Sixpence guitarist] also played cello on a couple of songs. Those guys are great.”
The Choir recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the release date of their groundbreaking and critically acclaimed album, Chase the Kangaroo (1988) by performing the record in its entirety on their spring tour. Following this special set the band featured one of their new songs, ‘Cross that River,’ from The Loudest Sound Ever Heard, as well as several fan favorites from their past catalog. Cities included Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Washington DC, and St. Louis among others.
The band will also host their second VIP get-together this summer at Nashville's Dark Horse Studios. Fans that have opted in to this event will get a chance to experience a special in-studio recording session by the band, as well as a private concert and cook out with the band and their families. For further details, please click here.
“I’m so glad we get to keep doing records like this,” shares Michaels. "Here we are standing together 30 years down the line and we still love and respect each other. It’s amazing, really.”
Daugherty adds, “We are fortunate to have such devoted listeners after all these years. That’s what keeps us motivated to continue making music. In that way we are lucky and blessed, and I’m thankful.”
“We don’t pretend to have the answers,” concludes Hindalong, “We are still struggling, still wandering and seeking; but if our music inspires listeners to consider important things with open hearts, well, that’s a good thing. Hopefully, the spirit of love will stir within and the truth will resonate.”
The Loudest Sound Ever Heard Track Listing:
1. Strange Girl
2. I’m Learning to Fly
3. Cross that River
4. Laughter of Heaven
5. O How
6. The Forest
7. Takin’ the Universe In
8. Melodious
9. A World Away
10. After All
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7/27/2010 - The Choir Returns With 12th Studio Disc, Burning Like the Midnight Sun
Making it an even dozen, iconic indie rock act The Choir announces the release of their 12th studio disc, Burning Like the Midnight Sun. Produced by band members Steve Hindalong and Derri Daughtery, the album was recorded and mixed at Daugherty’s Sled Dog Studio in Franklin, TN, and will be released on the band’s own Galaxy21 Music label.
Boasting a history that spans nearly three decades, The Choir features founders Hindalong and Daugherty along with long time members Dan Michaels and Tim Chandler, and once again Marc Byrd (Hammock) who produced the band’s ‘05 release O How the Mighty Have Fallen. This critically-acclaimed lineup continues to garner praise and accolades – including a Grammy nod -- long after most other bands have burned out or faded away.
“Perhaps more than any other album by The Choir, Burning Like the Midnight Sun integrates the musical personalities of all five individuals,” Hindalong says. “The recording process was smooth and satisfying. We’re thrilled to offer it to our listening friends.”
In recent months, the band has given fans a peek inside the recording process by releasing a series of “in the studio” videos online. The finished product, Burning Like the Midnight Sun, will be available physically online through www.thechoir.net and sold at live shows. It will also be available in select independent retail outlets for download & streaming on iTunes, Rhapsody, Spotify, Napster and other digital service providers.
Always the innovators, the band continues to find new ways to get their music to the masses. Their die-hard fan base has already responded enthusiastically to pre-order packages that include a "director's cut" audio interview CD, mix stems so fans can create their own productions of the songs that the band will post and share online, as well as a VIP gathering at Michaels’ Nashville home featuring an acoustic concert, swim party and barbecue.
Complementing this beautiful new music is a cover image by New Orleans-based visual artist R.R. Lyon, known for using salvaged or reclaimed pieces of his own art that he re-contextualizes to give new purpose. Later this fall, the band will be traveling to The Big Easy, as the artist is creating a painting to go along with each of the songs on Burning Like the Midnight Sun.
www.thechoir.net
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 | The Choir talks about recording their song, "After All" |  | The Choir performs "After All" |  | The Choir performs "The Forest" |  | The Choir talks about their song, "The Forest" |  | The story behind the Choir's album title, "The Loudest Sound Ever Heard" |  | The story behind The Choir's song, "After All" |
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 | The Loudest Sound Ever Heard

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 | Burning Like The Midnight Sun

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