Born of English heritage, the Los Angeles-based (by way of St. Joseph, Missouri) singer-songwriter, Hyland Church, bears the name of both his father and grandfather. Picking up the guitar at age twelve, he wasted no time, playing in his first band by thirteen. Over the years, Hyland spent time with other groups such as Harlow, DC4, and Electra, recording material and further refining his own style and voice.
“…songwriting, for me, is much like therapy…”
—Hyland Church
Now, with the assistance of fellow musicians such as, Kosta Lois (piano, production), Jenni Asher (violin & string arrangement), Vlad Shvartsman & Sarah O’Brien (cello), Church has released his debut, self-titled, solo album. A collection of songs which are rich in honest, emotive arrangements in the acoustic singer-songwriter tradition.
HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…
Opening with the endearingly subtle, Good Enough, Church launches the album in honest fashion—with nothing more than his voice and his guitar. The gentle hum of strings is eventually joined by a touch of keys as Hyland aches and moans about time’s oldest source of joy & pain. (I.E., love.)
Go pairs nicely with its predecessor as, once again, acoustic guitar and strings create the backdrop for an all-too-familiar story of lovers who’ve hurt each other one too many times…
“And you hurt me and I hurt you
Now there’s nothin’ left to save
Cause when it’s gone all that’s left are just memories
Just go…”
OUR FAVORITE TRACK…
A lustful tribute to the flesh, Your Body reminded me instantly of British singer-songwriter Alex Clare. That simple, jazzy, acoustic riff is refreshingly uncomplicated as Hyland’s vocals show dynamically contrasting flexibility.
Say Goodbye ups the tempo, but remains heart-centered. It’ll get you moving without making you forget what matters most…
“We were born with a dream
Do you remember when we were fifteen
Until the end we won’t stop
Chasing cars like young dogs
But sometimes, yeah sometimes we say goodbye…”
A tribute to his step-father, and written shortly after the last time Hyland saw him, Missouri Skies, pays homage…
“The world can’t hurt him now, cause heaven has come to this town.”
IN CONCLUSION…
Delightfully & purely acoustic. Endearingly minimalist. Uncomplicatingly raw. Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, Hyland Church’s debut, self-titled album reminds us how little is needed in order to create lovely music. At the heart of this project is more heart; an album firstly and lastly about love in all its forms: pain, loss, infatuation, friendship, romance, redemption and the unconditional.
Musically, Church’s guitar is clear & bright, and always in time & on key. Vocally, this being the musician’s first experience as a lead-singer, he’s unearthed a pool of talent that will serve him well into the future with a quintessential timbre instantly reminiscent of a host of 80’s & 90’s rock’n’roll front-men.
WHOSE LOVECHILD…?
Goo Goo Dolls meets 80’s-90’s front-men galore…
BELOW: Listen to Hyland Church’s self-titled album, and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Hyland Church by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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