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about
The first single off The Holy Gasp's third studio record, scheduled for release April 7, 2023, on Roar Records through Slammin Media.
"Powerfully enigmatic."
-AESTHETIC MAGAZINE
"...an immediately captivating mix of genres, anchored by a powerful vocal performance... ultimately unlike anything you have probably heard before.
-SACRED EXILE
"...how extraordinary is frontman Benjamin Hackman’s voice? Quite literally, he could sing about anything, anything at all, I’d listen."
-GRUNGECAKE
"...beautiful and powerful... lovely and inspired.."
-AIPATE
"...a riot, filled with boundless, ecstatic energy."
-OHESTEE
lyrics
LYRICS
Hey Bob, last night I had a dream.
If Dan lived, he’d ask, “What was it?”
…or maybe he’d say nothing…
—regardless, here’s my dream:
it was of my only father,
cross-legged, meditating
in a red-light district window,
and um…
well, in my dream I am in Amsterdam…
my wife nor I know who I am…
I turn to her,
I tell her: “I won’t be home for Shabbos.
It’s not that I don’t love you;
it’s just that I hate Shabbos,
with all its peace and quiet,
and all its gentle prayer…
I was not raised with quiet,”
and then…
she screams, “I know! Goddamn,
this is Amsterdam!”
I scream, “Don’t scream! I’m still a man!”
“No, you are a coward,” she says,
and I know I am.
I’m worse than my father. At least
he was good enough in the end.
It’s been two years since she left me,
and three since Dan last died.
The truth is I miss Shabbos.
I miss what I should’ve tried
while I had an ex-wife’s father,
while I had broken bread.
Now who will be my father?
Oh, Bob…
in my heart I am still in Amsterdam.
My dad is dead and so is Dan
and I am a liar—it’s true—
and I know I am!
I’m worse than my father. At least
he was good enough in the end.
He was good enough in the end.
credits
released September 2, 2022
TRACK CREDITS:
Words & Melodies by Benjamin Hackman
Composed & Orchestrated by Benjamin Hackman and Anthony William Wallace (SOCAN, 2022)
Conducted by Maestro Robert W. Stevenson
Lead Vocals:
Benjamin Hackman
The Choir:
Anaïs Kelsey-Verdecchia ~ Soprano
Tammy Whetham ~ Mezzo-Soprano
Zorana Sadiq ~ Alto
The Brass:
Charlotte Alexander ~ French Horn
James Rhodes ~ 1st Trumpet
Gabi Charron-Merritt ~ 2nd Trumpet
Karl Silveira ~ Trombone
The Percussion:
Jared Goldman ~ Drum Kit
Ètienne Levesque ~ Tubular Bells
Nathan Petitpas ~ Suspended Cymbal
Benjamin Hackman ~ Tambourine
Piano:
Yunjin Claire Lee
Guitars:
Will Hunter ~ Electric Guitar
Andrew Furlong ~ Electric Bass Guitar
The Strings:
Jaron Freeman-Fox ~ Principal Violin
Emily Yarascavitch ~ 1st Violin
Elise Boeur ~ 1st Violin
Katrina Johnson ~ 1st Violin
Crystal Lee ~ 1st Violin
Yanet Campbell ~ 2nd Violin
Qiyue He ~ 2nd Violin
Emily Misura ~ 2nd Violin
Molefe Mohamid-Mitchell ~ 2nd Violin
Cassie Norton ~ 2nd Violin
Zoë Santo ~ 2nd Violin
Benjamin David Louwersheimer ~Principal Cello
George Crotty ~ Cello
Mansur Kadirov ~ Cello
Peter Ryan ~ Cello
Ben Heard ~ Bass
Produced by Anthony William Wallace and Benjamin Hackman
Mixed and Mastered by James Paul at Rogue Music Lab
Edited by Anthony William Wallace and James Paul
Recorded in Toronto at Revolution Recording Studio (2022)
The Engineers:
Stephen Koszler ~ Lead Engineer
Luke Schindler ~ Senior Engineer
Christine Stoesser ~ Assistant Engineer
Kohen Hammond ~ Assistant Engineer
Creighton Clarke ~ Assistant Engineer
Cover art by Yesim Tosuner
This audio recording was made possible with the generous financial assistance of The Toronto Arts Council, The Ontario Arts Council, The Canada Council for the Arts, and FACTOR.
We gratefully acknowledge the in-kind support of our sponsors: Joe’s Fruit Market, Café Pamenar, Ozzy Burger, Abu Humus, Pantry Foods, The Historic Kiever Synagogue, and Revolution Recording
And for their poetic support, without which the completion of this audio recording would not be possible, gratitude is owed to Rita Laszlo, Rabbi Eli Cohen, Dr. Robert Cardish, Lucas Rebbick, and (if He’s reading this) God.
Dedicated in Loving Memory to
Moishe Hackman
&
Dr. Dan Merkur
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