AREA RESIDENT

Echolette is the third album in as many years by Ottawa’s Area Resident (Doug Hempstead). It’s named after an old German tape echo unit. The album is produced and features additional guitar and drums by Jordon Zadorozny (Blinker The Star).

Like the first Area Resident album, it was written and recorded by Doug Hempstead between his split shifts as a traffic reporter for CBC radio in Ottawa. The tracks are augmented, mixed and produced by Jordon Zadorozny of Blinker The Star at his Pembroke-based Skylark Park studio.

Doug tells us a bit about where some of his song ideas come from…

LET THE HOLY GUEST WAIT: Contains scenes from my dad’s deathbed, as well as references to the minister who got his name wrong three times at the funeral. Features Trevor Pritchard on French Horn.

SOMEWHERE BY THE WATER: is about my childhood cat’s instinct to be near the river during his dying days. Features Catriona Sturton on vocals and harmonica.

FOR THE WORLD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKY: Is also the name of a Star Trek episode. The song, however, is about my trip down a 2.5 km mine-shaft to see a Neutrino observatory. Check out the video now…