Little Hopes by John Brodeur

Album download includes bonus track DAILY AFFIRMATION.

The culmination of several years of writing and re-writing, recording and re-recording, Little Hopes finds Brodeur leaping from quirky bedroom-pop to breezy guitar rock, tackling both matters of the heart and battles of the soul. These recordings balance the artist's expansive arrangement instincts with his love of lo-fi recording techniques, matching introspective but relatable lyrics to simple, memorable melodies. The result is a confident, tuneful collection that brims with personality.

Brodeur performed, produced, and mixed Little Hopes primarily himself, with input from Troy Pohl (Sean Rowe) and Dominick Campana (Dryer). Recording took place at several upstate New York studios and bedrooms and at Brodeur's home studio in Manhattan, using 4- and 8-track cassette machines, Pro Tools, and other recording devices. Mastering and additional mixing was added by Grammy winner Michael Tudor (Duncan Sheik, the Strokes) at Mama's Place in Woodstock, NY.

Lyrically, these 10 songs are bound by the common themes of self-improvement and second chances. “Customarily, to say one has 'little hope' is to say they are in a dire situation,” says Brodeur. “By pluralizing the phrase, I wanted to focus on the ideas and dreams we cling to when we are at our lowest points—the little hopes that help to pull us out of those dark places.”

Tracklist

1.	Be Careful	2:07

2.	One Man Army	4:13

3.	Neil Young	3:16

4.	Oh My!	4:18

5.	Dig	3:34

6.	Favorite Feeling	2:51

7.	Old Wounds	3:38

8.	Second Time	3:36

9.	You Kill Me	4:27

10.	Spit It Out	4:52

11.	Daily Affirmation	3:54

Credits

released August 13, 2013

All songs written by John Brodeur. Published by All I Have Is Music (ASCAP).

Produced by John Brodeur with Troy Pohl (1,9) and Dominick Campana (6), Recorded in New York State at KJFBM, Manhattan; Collar CIty Sound, Troy; North Sea Studios, Albany; Dominick's Basement, Voorheesville; 277 Hudson, Albany; and The Homestead, Ballston Lake.

Engineered by John Brodeur, Dominick Campana, Troy Pohl, Brett Portzer, and Ryan Slowey.

Mixed by John Brodeur at KJFBM except 1 and 9 mixed by Troy Pohl at Collar City Sound. Mastering and additional mixing by Michael Tudor at Mama's Place, Woodstock NY.

John Brodeur: Vocals, guitars, bass, drums, piano, organ, synth, Casio, harmonica, ukulele, glockenspiel, percussion, machines
with:
Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: harmony vocals on 1
J McCarron: handclaps on 1; backing vocals and bass on 9
Troy Pohl: bass on 1
Meghan Tully: handclaps on 1

Thanks to everyone who contributed their time, talent, gear, space, money, or wisdom. All my love to KFM.

Art direction by Philip Pascuzzo / pepcostudio.com
Photography by Ninelle Efremova
Legal: Paul C. Rapp

(c) 2013 John Brodeur/Mr. Duck Records. All Rights Reserved.

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