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about
Corey Heuvel
From
the Artist
“The music
I am inspired to create changes often with a steady current of new influences
and impulses. With the guitar as my main vehicle
I've gone from playing in blues clubs as a young teenager shredding a Stratocaster
behind my back like my early hero Stevie Ray
Vaughan to
quietly finger-picking and singing introspective folk songs to composing
pieces for a solo instrument. In some ways things have gotten much simpler,
but in other deeper ways the musical universe I see has grown more complex
and expanded immensely. Now at age 22, this album of acoustic guitar
compositions is not necessarily an indication of things to come but as always
it’s just a snapshot of where I am at this moment and what’s been occupying
my mind. I try to come from a place inside which acknowledges and embraces
the sense of strange beauty that surrounds and encompasses us everywhere. The
gorgeous, mysterious and bittersweet movement and expression of our lives. I want
the music I make to reflect that and instil that in the listener, always. Of
course, I still love to sing, write lyrics and rip the electric guitar but
one way or another, those things found themselves
unneeded in this recent chapter. My hope is that if people sincerely listen
to this album as music lovers, what they'll hear will make them feel lighter,
freer and more at ease as it is exactly how I feel writing and performing
this kind of music. Truly, bliss from within.”
Reflections from the Past
Between spending time at a Buddhist monastery, recording an entire album
at his home studio, and journeying around southern California, Corey Heuvel is trying to find a way to let his personal search
shine through his music. From the bluesy, hard-driven electric guitar
showcase of his debut album In Balance, to the quiet finger picking poeticism
of his follow up EP Evers, it seems like predicting the next direction for Heuvel would be anybody's guess. The 21-year old Canadian
songwriter assures that his latest release -The New - drapes sonic
elements from both worlds around an unlikely spiritual theme.
Since the release of Evers in 2008, Corey Heuvel
has used much of his time contemplating where he wants to go both musically
and personally. For him it seems these two realities must intertwine
and weave through each other in order to create something truly inspiring.
Another goal for Heuvel was being able to
record his songs from home. In today's world, this is becoming more and
more the preferred way of making music; not to mention saving a few bucks
along the way.
"I guess after my first album, I just wanted to get away from the
edginess of rock music... the full band and guitar solos. And then I
feel like I figured myself out a little more with the acoustic EP which was
so crucial. So for the next record, there had to be a way to show both
sides in a fresh and interesting way. It really took me a while to
realize what that was. Even when I had some of the songs finished, I
still didn't know where I was coming from and what I was trying to say."
The next two years were spent teaching guitar, writing new material,
traveling and putting together the pieces for a home studio. Once the
studio was ready, work began on a second full length album. As the recording
process began, a change in lifestyle became part of the inspiration for the
songs and overall direction of the album. "I began to practice formal
meditation on a daily basis at the same time as I started recording the
album. I was inspired to try it after going to a few North Indian music
classes while I was in California earlier that year. They look at music in a
totally different way, a much more spiritual connection to art and life in
general. I ended up resonating more with the Buddhist approach to meditation
and realized how much of the music I wanted to write had in common with the
life of a Buddhist monk - rebirth, disillusionment, the forest, wisdom and
enlightenment. I spent a week at a Buddhist monastery and almost decided to
ordain as a monk! But I knew I had more work to do." The eight tracks on
The New sweep across some unusual but nonetheless interesting themes:
"Beautiful Slide" - a lament about approaching rebirth,
"Crimson Fools" - an outsider's look at the world and its
inhabitants, "Sage Trees" - a tale of escape and refuge in the
forest, and the epic final song "Jhana"
which means meditation in Pali, the ancient
language used in India during the time of the Buddha. Heuvel asserts that the album isn't meant to promote
Buddhism in any way, but only to take the listener on a voyage. The music
must always remain the number one priority.
"The image of a monk, or spiritual seeker, or vagabond, or even a
troubadour always carries a certain mystique that resonates with people who
feel lost or find themselves looking for truth. It just worked as a
catalyst for this album and made it more meaningful to me. As difficult
as it was, recording the album at home gave me the freedom to take my time
and think about each sound, each instrument, each vocal take, until
everything was sitting just right. It allowed me to be patient.
In the end, I hope people can enjoy the sounds and colours they hear on
this album more than anything, and if they pull something deeper out of it
then that’s great too." The acoustic guitar remains in the forefront
throughout this album, but there are many new textures and a more elaborate
production takes it beyond the listener’s expectation. All instruments
were performed by Heuvel except for the cello heard
on three tracks, which is showcased by Alyssa Wright (who also performed on Evers)
and drums on the opening two tracks courtesy of Charlie Cooley. Another
new dimension is the addition of background vocals on nearly all of the
songs. Overall, the voice seems to be making up a bigger and bigger
part of Corey Heuvel's sound which is not a
deterrent in any way, just one of many examples which prove he is growing
quickly as an artist.
All of Corey’s albums are available through his website, iTunes,
CD Baby (including most other sources of digital purchase) and of course at
his live performances. Don't hesitate to follow this young artist on
his incredible journey and have a listen to what his world sounds like.
Updated
May 2013
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