A new album release from Court Hoang brings a gorgeous array of textures together with a variety of rich instrumentation and an honest for of songwriting that all gets wrapped up in this cinematic and vivid record.
The Get Right album is lush and absolutely full bodied in terms of the music itself and the way the vocals are performed with heart and this sort of charm that makes you feel like Hoang is a friend of yours that's just talking to you about all this stuff.
You get caught up in the sense of wonder and that want to know what happens next.
The record has this undertone throughout its entire playthrough and there are these beautifully woven songs and pieces that are constructed in the form of orchestrated pop songs that can take you to a different place all together.
These tracks are very detailed, and Hoang paid much attention to the intricacies that make the album so real and so genuine.
Bells, string sections, wind instruments, guitars, and so much more all swim around you and let you just keep afloat with the soundscapes that are happening.
Some cool almost jazzy undertones and indie-pop feels are there and appear and reappear over the record and there is much between the walls from which this album was built.
There are layers to be peeled back and like a good film, the second time you listen you pick up on things you didn't notice before.
With the release of such a gracefully written record we wanted to touch base with Court Hoang to find out where this actually came from.
RAG: Okay so let's start with the Get Right album. This record has a great pop-rock undertone to it! Where did this album come from? When the pandemic was in full swing back in 2020 and we were all forced to stay isolated, I spent a lot of time looking at my own life as well as looking around at my friends and family, my community, and the world at large. Get Right came about as a result of that intro- and extrospection. It’s a call-out of sorts. I wanted to call out the folks who are too complacent, in denial of the impending trainwreck we’re all riding; I also wanted to call out the folks who have given up, to give them hope and inspiration and maybe a little fire under their feet again. RAG: So how did this all begin for you? When did you fall in love with music really? I started playing music as a kid, but I didn’t start taking it seriously until 2011. Some of the songs on this album are from as far back as 2009, but I remember a specific moment in 2011 that I thought to myself: “I want to do this forever.” RAG: Who is in your headphones right now? Who are you listening to right now? When my kids aren’t bullying me into listening to children’s music, I’m usually listening to Andrew Bird, Kishi Bashi, Sondre Lerche and Rufus Wainwright. RAG: What inspires you to write a song? Songwriting is my way of processing whatever’s going on with me and whatever I’m seeing around me. Inspiration usually comes from whatever I’m feeling or something I see or hear that provokes a deep emotion. RAG: I'm hearing some great styles on this album. Who are some of your biggest musical influences? This album was produced differently than anything I’ve done before, and it definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. I wanted to incorporate more electronic rock influences from bands like The Killers and Phoenix, as well as more pop rock styles from bands like Muse and Jeff Buckley. As the second half of the album shifts more towards orchestral folk, it was definitely inspired by artists like Andrew Bird and Rufus Wainwright. RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music? I spend a lot of time with my family - I have an amazing wife and three children who are absolutely insane (and wonderful).
RAG: Would you say live performances are a big part of what you do?
The thing about having three kids under five is that evening performances tend to conflict with stuff like giving them a bath and putting them to bed. I do try to perform live when it makes sense but I’ve accepted the fact I’m not the kind of artist who’s gigging five nights a week or on the road half the year, as much as I love sharing the music. It’s also hard to translate some of the arrangements on my songs into a simple three-piece band. My dream is to one day be able to tour with a full orchestra, so I don’t have to compromise anything in live shows.
RAG: This record feels like a big undertaking, is there any advice you'd give to other up and coming artists out there?
The only way to write good songs is to write a bunch of bad songs first. When you’ve got good songs, work with a producer. Don’t cheap out on mixing or mastering. Most importantly: if you’re not having fun, your work will suffer.
RAG: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
We’re currently producing a single featuring Jackie Venson, and we expect that to be released later this year. Beyond that, I’m writing the next album as well as a concept album/short film production that is still a few years off.
RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Honestly, it just means a lot to me that you’re listening. I hope the music resonates with you on some level. I hope it comforts you in times of darkness. I hope it inspires you to make the world a better place.