Press release | Octave Records' newest release is The Moon Leans In by singer/songwriter/guitarist Thom LaFond. The album offers a broad range of moods and styles, from stripped-down acoustic instrument-based songs to upbeat, up-tempo cuts, and even some early jazz and swing influences.
The Moon Leans In has Thom going for a vocal-centered and conversational style, and has him leading two different quartets during the recording. The majority of the tracks feature Thom and musicians playing mostly live with some overdubs, with Thom on electric guitar, vocals, synthesizer, piano and acoustic guitar, accompanied by Enion Pelta - 6-string violin and backing vocals, Chris Duffy - 5-string electric bass, Forrest Kelley - drums, Zea Stallings - backing vocals) and Katie Mintle - backing vocals. To the Moon and So Busy in the Wild showcase Thom and an acoustic swing quartet playing live in the studio, including Michelle Pietrafitta - drums, Jeremy Mohney - alto sax and John Heiland - acoustic bass.
The album was recorded at Animal Lane Studios in Lyons, Colorado using Octave Records’ Pure DSD process and the Sonoma multi-track DSD recording system, and mixed at PS Audio in Boulder, CO. The Moon Leans In is available as a limited-edition release of 1,000 hybrid SACD discs with the master DSD layer and a CD layer. In addition, the album can be purchased as a download bundle including DSD64, DSDDirect Mastered 192kHz/24-bit, 96kHz/24-bit and 44.1kHz/16-bit PCM.
“When I play acoustic guitar, I get more intricate with the arrangements, and when I’m on piano I tend to lean more towards a swing kind of improvised jamming feel,” said Thom. “Most record labels insist that you reign in your music to one ‘brand.’ Octave wasn’t interested in that, and encouraged us to experiment.” The Moon Leans In showcases this stylistic diversity, from the poetic title track with its loping 3/4-time bounce, to the swing quartet tracks, and the upbeat Isolation Hymn, an ironic look at the social distancing everyone’s had to go through.
The Moon Leans In was produced by Thom LaFond, recorded and mixed by Jay Elliott, and mastered by Gus Skinas. Jessica Carson was the executive producer. “On some nights, when the moon is close, it seems like it’s kind of coming in to listen,” noted Thom. “I like to play music for people, but sometimes I just like being alone, and playing music for the moon is something that feels good to me.”
About PS Audio
Founded in 1973, PS Audio has earned a worldwide reputation for excellence in manufacturing innovative, high-value, leading-edge audio products. Located in Boulder, Colorado at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, PS Audio’s staff of talented designers, engineers, production and support people build each product to deliver extraordinary performance and musical satisfaction. The company’s wide range of award-winning products include the all-in-one Sprout100 integrated amplifier, audio components, power regenerators and power conditioners.
For further info:
to the Octave Records website
to the PS Audio website
