Aaron Hale visit store
Albums: AARON HALE - THE EP (August 2009)
Aaron Hale and the Boy Detectives - Lightning Strike/Phantom Forest (August 2008)
Aaron Hale and the Boy Detectives - Hold Fast to Dreams (August 2005)
Genre: Christian Rock/Alternative
Location: Kansas City, MO
Websites: Aaron Hale Music, Facebook, MySpace: Aaron Hale, MySpace: Aaron Hale and the Boy Detectives, Twitter
Products sold at Storenvy: CDs, tees, stickers, buttons
Products printed by Storenvy: Tees, stickers, buttons
Aaron is a very dear friend of ours, and we couldn’t be more excited to be introducing him and his music here on our blog! Not only is he a completely heartfelt person, he’s also one of the silliest guys you’ll ever meet, so we thought we’d take this chance to show you all the sides of Aaron we’ve come to know and love.
Storenvy: Hey, congrats on the release of your new EP!
Aaron Hale: Thank you! I’m really excited about these songs and where they might take me!
Have a listen — here’s a promo video we shot in Kansas City:
SE: As friends of yours, we got to see first-hand all the hard work that went into the creation and promotion of this album. Can you share a bit about the inspiration that made it all worth it?
AH: The goal of my music is to bring people together. There is a word/philosophy in Africa called Ubuntu, which describes people’s relationships with each other. The literal translation is “I am because we are.” A person who demonstrates Ubuntu is someone who recognizes that we are all a part of a greater whole, and that I am who I am only because of you… and that how I treat you, directly affects me, as well. It’s a philosophy I try to base my life around.
SE: And of course, we love the story of all your design work — Jon and I even got to be IN it! Tell us about it.
AH: Well, my wife is a super talented designer. She does all my design stuff. It’s ridiculous how talented she is, honestly… very conceptual. When we talked about how we could incorporate the Ubuntu philosophy into my EP’s artwork, she came up with this design. It features almost thirty of my friends’ and family’s silhouettes on the back. Each person represented has played a huge part in the person I am today, and it means so much to have all of these wonderful people incorporated into the artwork of an EP that means so much to me.
Stickers, buttons and tees available in Aaron’s Storenvy store
SE: On a completely unrelated note, why do you love Disneyland so much?
AH: Because I’m a man-child… Walt Disney is one of my heroes and I think he created Disneyland to represent the way the world should be. I mean, c’mon! It’s the happiest place on earth!!
SE: Speaking of the way the world should be, you’ve been really inspired by your visits to Africa. You told us about the Ubuntu philosophy, but can you tell us more about how those experiences have influenced you?
AH: The first time I went to Africa the people had a profound effect on me. The way they live their lives is contagious. Simply and relationally. They don’t have much and aren’t attached to anything. So when someone in their community is in need, they provide. It’s beautiful. It’s the way I think we should all live. But in the midst of that, corruption, disease and extreme poverty run rampant, and they can’t combat those things alone. Because they have given and taught me so much, it’s only natural for me to want to help them. I want to use my music as a catalyst to make people aware of the wonderful lessons to be learned by the people of Africa, as well as the struggles they face, and ways we can help them.
A photo by Aaron’s wife Heather from one of their trips to Africa
SE: What else is inspiring you right now?
AH: In music, David Bazan, Elvis Costello, Doves, Grizzly Bear, Decemberists, Vetiver and J. Tillman.
In books, “Where The Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak, “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy and “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” by Jonathan Safran Foer.
SE: You also do some illustrating — can you share one of your drawings with us?
AH: Sure, here’s “Gary shows off his trophy room again…”
SE: You recently submitted a note from your mom to the blog-slash-book “Love, Mom: Poignant, Goofy, Brilliant Messages From Home,” and it was selected to be published. I feel like this gives a glimpse into where Aaron Hale comes from, so can you share the note you submitted with us?
AH: The email I got from my mom was WAY too good not to submit. I also think it’s better unexplained! Here it is:
“I got an email from Daddy today. He said he has gas, but he doesn’t think it has anything to do with the volcano. I told him to leave that in Argentina.
Love you!
Momz”
Amazing.
SE: Lastly, would you be willing to give a special discount to our blog readers?
AH: Absolutely! If you buy an EP right now and send me a message that you read this interview, I will send a button pack and sticker with the order for free!
Thanks, friend! We’re glad to have been a part of your journey!
All songs from Aaron’s EP are streaming on MySpace and will be available soon on iTunes, or buy the CD at Storenvy for just $5.
