The latest from Van Hunt What Were You Hoping For? out today is what I describe as a musical opus as American as apple pie. Not apple pie in the Madison Avenue sense where you are always inundated with images of big trucks, flags and actors that curiously all look and dress like Toby Keith (no intended slight to Toby), no I mean the real, the core, the core of who we are and what’s really going on today.
This is music that is necessary on so many levels.
Level one: Van has something to say… so often we hear artists saying something but they really don’t have something to say . Every song contained in the set has something to say and often you will find yourself delving deeper into the meanings beyond what you heard on the first listen.
Level two: This is music! You know music? Music is when you make the connection between the art, the soul, and the skill. What Van is doing here you cannot buy in a box. You have to live it… checkout tracks like “North Hollywood” and “Eyes Like Pearls” to hear some of that living, but honestly you could checkout every track on the project to hear the lived and living.
Level three: I’m on the edge of my seat as I listen because inside each song there is a twist and turn and from song to song I was presented with that exciting sense of where are we going next? Van’s like that older brother, friend, cousin where he just stops by the house and says “Hey man let’s go for a ride” and your natural inclination is to wonder where, but you end up going places in your own town you didn’t know existed and meeting people you didn’t know and connecting with them. Upon your return you are changed for the better and you inquire about when you can roll out again.
The title track “What Were You Hoping For?” would do everyone some good to spend time with on repeat. I’ve grown fond of calling it a 2011 “What’s Happening Brother?”. Van has prepared an immaculate musical meal for us: Plenty of nutrients and protein, real organic ingredients and absolutely no filler.
What Were You Hoping For? out now and the question is: What are you waiting for? You need this music. Pickup a copy today here
P.S. I had the chance to catch Van’s live show last week in Richmond, VA the band and show were tight, great selections from Van’s catalog and the new project. If Van is playing anywhere near your area I would suggest you make your way out and support.
Remaining dates on the tour
9/27Augusta, GA @ Sky City
9/28Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
9/29New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s Uptown
9/30Houston, TX @ Underground Live
10/1Austin, TX @Cactus Café
10/3Dallas, TX @ House of Blues Cambridge
10/4Little Rock, AR @ Sticky Fingerz Chicken
10/6St. Louis, MO @ Lola
10/7 Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern
10/8Minneapolis, MN @ Bunker’s
10/11Seattle, WA @ Nectar Lounge
10/12Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
10/13San Francisco, CA @ Yoshi’s
Ivan Orr is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, performer, and writer. A native of Charlottesville, Virginia Ivan was involved with the forming and nascent days of The Music Resource Center as its first Program Director. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Music, Ivan currently resides in Richmond, VA where he maintains an active performance and production schedule while serving as the Music Editor for Grown Folks Music, a position he has held since 2010.
