Hayden - The Place Where We Lived (2009)

Link

Paul Hayden Desser (born February 12, 1971) who records as Hayden, is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Thornhill, Ontario. He began recording on a 4-track in the early 1990’s. After a few singles and cassettes, his first full length record was released in 1995. Everything I Long For marked the beginning of a 15 year cycle of recording, touring and lots of time off.

The Place Where We Lived is the 6th full-length album by Hayden. Since releasing In Field and Town in January, 2008, Hayden has been busy on tour supporting acts as diverse as The National and Feist, as well as headlining shows in the U.S., Australia and canada both solo and backed by friends Cuff the Duke.

During one of these tours, he decided that it was time to try something new. Hayden is known for his reclusive nature both personally and musically, often playing most instruments himself on record, and self-producing each of his albums over the past fifteen years. While he often brings in friends to play an instrument here and there, not since the 1998 release The Closer I Get, has Hayden brought in a producer to get songs onto tape.

The decision to enlist Howie Beck was not difficult. Not only has the critically acclaimed songwriter / producer been involved with, and played on several of Hayden’s recordings, but the two musicians have been good friends for years. Beck’s keen musical sense and precise attention to detail enabled Hayden to focus more on the songs themselves. “I’ve worked with Hayden a lot in the past, says Howie, “but mostly collaborating purely as a musician - I’d play instruments, but generally Hayden had a pretty good idea of where he wanted me to fit in.”

This time around, inspired by performing on the road, Hayden decided to focus more on being a songwriter and musician. On the last three records, I took so long making them that I actually looked different once they were done, jokes Hayden, When I began In Field and Town, I was a vibrant young man?. One of the goals before recording was to “play the songs;” to move quickly and not get lost in the process of recording, but to find the essence of the songs in the studio. Recording some brand new compositions, and some that were written but not yet recorded, this new freedom allowed the sessions to flow quickly. Many talented musicians added their own pieces to the puzzle. Cuff the Duke and Hayden moved right from an American tour into Canterbury Sound in Toronto to record some tracks live-off-the-floor, while other musicians showed up at Howie’s 4 Walls Studios armed only with their instruments and an hour to do their thing. Holly Throsby added her hauntingly beautiful voice through the magic of long-distance recording from Australia to Toronto online, and sometimes it was the simple magic of Hayden alone at the microphone playing piano or guitar and singing live.

The Place Where We Lived is a moment in time for Hayden, capturing the perfect balance between studio recordings and constant movement. A combination of new songs, and songs re-found. Never labored, the album is one of his best works to date.