The Last Best Place
'The Last Best Place' sees Minneapolis- based pianist, John Hayes, return with his second full-length release. Inspired by the unexpected loss of a friend along with moving into a new studio space, 'The Last Best Place' captures a range of emotions as well as Hayes’ intimate recording process. What began as a single solo piano piece, written to calm his nerves after the loss of his friend, quickly evolved. New spaces led to new compositions and finally, the album was born. Each piece was written softly, late at night, wanting to tell their own story, yet all finding a way to remain connected to the same narrative.
-"The Last Best Place was very much an unexpected album for me. After recently moving into a new studio I was dealing with several different anxieties. Being on my own for the first time, another unexpected loss of a friend, trying to progress my music. All these things lead to a great deal of uncertainty in my life. It is funny how we always tend to gravitate towards the things that are most familiar to us during uncertain times. For me, that will always be music. One day I finally decided to sit down and take the time to record these pieces that I had been playing during this time. The result is this album. Maybe some of these songs will calm you the way they calmed me. I hope so. With so much busy going on, sometimes it is necessary to take a step back, close your eyes, and just listen."-
'The Last Best Place' will be avaialble digitally and on 12' vinyl May, 15th 2020.
By The Woods (Reworks)
By The Wood (Reworks.) The third and final chapter of By The Woods. First, there was the original album, 14 solo piano pieces composed and recorded to give you the feeling that you are sitting on the piano bench with me as I play these songs for you. Each of which reminds me of a certain person or place in my life.
Next, there was the Odds&Ends. A short EP comprised of 4 tracks that, for one reason or another, didn't have a home on By The Woods. Maybe they were too short, maybe they not developed enough at the time, maybe a siren started sounding during one of the recordings. They all found a home together on Odds&Ends and serve as a little brother to By The Woods.
Now the reworks. The third and final chapter of By The Woods. Each of the original 14 compositions uniquely reimagined by 18 wonderful artists resulting in 16 new tracks. A collaborative effort, a beautiful ending to By The Woods.
Odds & Ends
The Odds & Ends of By The Woods. This short EP features 4 tracks that did not quite have a home on By The Woods for one reason or another. Maybe they weren't developed enough at the time, maybe they were too short, maybe a siren started sounding while recording. I am very happy to share them with you now and hope they serve as a nice companion to By The Woods.
By The Woods
By The Woods is my first album. I hope it gives you the feeling that you are sitting on the piano bench next to me as I play these songs for you. These little tunes all remind me of a certain person or place in my life, but they could each mean something completely different for each of you, that is the beauty of music. The title comes from a poem by Robert Frost that I particularly like. All 14 songs were recorded, mixed and mastered by me in my Minneapolis studio.
The album was released December 14th by my good friends at Sonder House Music.
You can also listen to my work below!